Page 40 of The Court of Thorns and Wings

My breathing caught as I tried to keep my emotions in check, not wanting to alarm Tavish. Though I had no intention of keeping anything from him, I didn’t want him to panic when there wasn’t a blazing thing he could do while locked in the holding cell.

The other sensation that had my lungs moving freely again was my relief that I hadn’t fought Gaelle’s suggestion to glamour the fated-mate marks. They would have enraged the man I was supposed to marry, and though I was proud of them, it wouldn’t bode well if Prince Pyralis learned about the bond while Tavish was imprisoned.

The timing of Prince Pyralis’s visit seemed odd. My parents had vowed to retrieve me from Earth a few weeks prior to when I’d be wedded to the dragon prince. Tavish had brought me back three years earlier than planned. The agreement was that Pyralis and I would wed when I was twenty-five to ensure I could come back at full strength to protect myself if needed. We had time to determine a way to free me from that vow.

Pyralis’s chiseled features tensed as he rubbed a hand through his short, caramel-brown beard. “This is unacceptable.”

My back straightened. I understood that not every man would find me attractive, but he didn’t have to be so damn rude about it. “Well, you aren’t the most attractive man I’ve ever seen either.”

“Lira!” Mother exclaimed as her head jerked in my direction. Her jaw dropped, and Father glared at me.

“I’ll take that as a compliment, seeing as I’m not truly aman.” Prince Pyralis smirked. “I’m a beast, which you’ll learn all about shortly.”

The idea of learning anything about him had bile churning in my stomach. I refused to think of any man but Tavish in that way, and the dragon prince’s suggestion made me feel dirty.

Sprite, are you being harmed?Tavish asked, the bond tightening with his concern.

So much for trying to contain my emotions. My blood ran cold.Prince Pyralis is here.

Silence hung in the bond before frigid fear blasted through our connection.If he touches you, I’ll make sure his death is slow and painful.

I relished his threat, my heart skipping a beat. A month ago, it would have sent me running, but now I wanted to run to Tavish and bury my tongue in his mouth. I was changing, and I wasn’t sure who I was anymore.Don’t fret. He won’t touch me. I won’t allow it.

Refocusing on the threat in front of me, I straightened my shoulders. “Three years isn’t long for an immortal, but I wouldn’t consider it short.” I tried to relax my shoulders, not wanting Prince Pyralis to realize he was getting under my skin.

Wanting to seem confident despite my shaking knees, I entered the dining room and took the spot next to Mother,turning my back to the doors leading to a massive balcony with an absolutely gorgeous view of the village below.

The prince’s face turned red, hinting at the crimson scales he bore in dragon form. “After receiving insult after insult of no communication, despite the vows our families exchanged, I came here to learn for myself if you had returned to Ardanos after all.”

Father’s jaw clenched. He had to be wondering who’d informed the dragon royals of my return. I had no doubt that the traitor would be punished once Father ascertained their identity.

“We were going to inform you soon.” Mother laid a hand on my arm and smiled at me warmly. “We’ve just gotten our daughter back after twelve long years, and we wanted a moment to celebrate with her before announcing her return to the masses.” Her fingers dug into my skin when I didn’t respond immediately.

Good. Let them fret for a moment, wondering if I would play along with their ruse. They wouldn’t want the prince to learn that Tavish had kidnapped me while I was in hiding. The fact would reflect poorly on their strength and intelligence.

The silence hung thick, and Mother took in a choppy breath.

This time, my smile wasn’t forced because I enjoyed gaining a little control over my parents. If I wanted to, I could out them for everything they’d done, but that would only put a larger target on Tavish. “Yes, I’ve needed time to acclimate to my magic and wings again. The last thing I’d ever want is for you to see me as weak, Prince Pyralis.” My voice lowered into a deep threat, so I batted my eyelashes in tune with the flutter of my wings, trying to come off as sweet as possible.

But there was no lie there. The dragon prince needed to see me as a force. One that would make him think twice about coercing me into a contract I’d never agreed to personally. Free will wasn’t relished here in Ardanos, but I’d grown up on Earthlong enough that I refused to give up certain freedoms and have someone else decide my lifeforme.

“You’re fae. Not dragon.” Prince Pyralis scoffed. “You’ll never match me in terms of strength and size, so don’t flatter yourself.”

I bit the inside of my cheek and ignored the way I wanted to ball my hands into fists and lunge at him. What was it with all these men thinking I was inferior to them? They’d all have another think coming… thing coming… whatever version of the saying fit since both were technically correct in this day and age.

What is the blasted ashbreath doing to you?Tavish linked.

Being condescending, nothing more.I refocused on the dragon prince. “Ah… yet I’m smaller, lither, and possess an affinity for water.” I placed my hands on the table and wiggled my fingers, emphasizing my point.

Father’s neck corded.

Prince Pyralis pursed his lips. “If I didn’t know any better, I wouldn’t believe you were the same girl I met all those years ago. That girl acted more like a lady than the woman sitting across from me today. However, I suspected Earth would have that impact on you.” His steely gaze cut to my parents.

My departure from this realm must have been a point of contention between the two royal families. I’d always assumed that the dragons had been informed, but based on these interactions, I’d assumed wrong. “There is a big difference between ten and twenty-two. A child is easily manipulated whereas a woman has the ability to think on her own.”

Head jerking back, Prince Pyralis wrinkled his nose with disdain.

“That’senough, Lira,” Father said sternly. “Prince Pyralis, if you’re certain you don’t want any breakfast, then I’d love to show you this year’s harvest. It has been very bountiful, and I’d be honored if you took some items back so that you and your parents can enjoy our delicacies.”

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