Page 141 of Flirting with Darkness

This was where he’d make me his.

6

NEGOTIATION

“Can’t we justsaywe’re married?”

Halfway between me and the altar, he stopped. He didn’t turn, only angled his head so I caught a glimpse of his beard and strong brow. “I can’t lie.”

I groaned, shoulders sinking. Bloody fae. Lies were so useful sometimes. “We could say we’re engaged. I agreed to marry you, so that isn’t a lie.”

His head fell back, and I was sure he rolled his eyes before he turned to face me. “A wedding contract is stronger than an engagement. We’re lucky—the pack yielded. The next danger we encounter might not be so easily beaten.”

“‘We?’” I raised my eyebrows at him. “There’s a ‘we’ now?”

He turned, the lines of his neck cording as he advanced upon me. I backed away until my heels hit the slope of the path and teetered, nearly sending me tumbling down it.

He stopped, toes almost touching mine. Fierce lines scored between his eyebrows as he glared down at me. “When will you get it through your thick skull? Without me, you will die. Understand?”

The werewolves in the woods, their yipping barks. I hadn’t even made it two days in Elfhame without getting myself in danger. He was right.

I gritted my teeth and nodded.

“You agreed to marry me, and that is what you will do.”

I blinked up at him. There was an odd note of triumph in his tone.

Was he pleased because I’d walked right into his trap? This was exactly the sort of thing that happened at the beginning of stories about the fae. Ignorant human makes deal with fae creature, not understanding exactly what she’s signing up for. Fae turns out to be some sort of monster that eats his brides. The—very bloody—end for her.

I narrowed my eyes at him. “Why help me, Faolán?” It wasn’t his True Name, of course, but maybe using it would havesomeeffect. I was surprised to find something pleasing about saying it. The sounds were so different from the names I was used to:Fwey-lan, with a softlthat poured over my tongue on a breath.

“Hmm.” It was little more than a grunt before he turned and continued towards the altar.

I hurried after him. “How do I know you’re not trying to trick me with all this? For all I know, you could’ve staged that whole thing with the werewolves to make me marry you.”

He made another sound that might’ve been a laugh. “An interesting story you tell yourself.”

The way he twisted out of answering made my scalp prickle. Fuck. Was I on the right track with my accusations? I tugged on his sleeve, desperation to know driving me beyond fear. “Did you? Is this a trick—a trap?”

He stopped and looked at my grip on his clothing, a cold anger in his gaze.

I swallowed and dropped my hand.

“You think I planned this?” He bared his teeth. It was more snarl than grin, but his eyes glinted in amusement so I supposed it was meant to be the latter. “This was no plan of mine, little flower. This has completely destroyed all my plans, in fact, but…” He threw his hands up. “Fuck it. I’m sure this wasn’t how you thought today would go, either. Fine, if you’re worried, let’s seal our marriage with a bargain. What is it you want?”

The question lurched through me. What did I want? I sucked in a breath.

Shit. WhatdidI want? When was the last time anyone had asked me that?

It didn’t matter what I wanted. This was about rescuing Ari. Well, finding her first, then rescue.

I raised my chin. “Help me find my friend.” He could twist that, though, better to specify. “Help me find my friend Ariadne and ensure she’s safe. What do you ask for in return?” I squared my shoulders. No price would be too steep.

He cocked his head, eyebrows twitching together. “That’s it? That’s all you want?”

“That’s what I came for.”

“Hmm.” He glanced out over the valley and lifted one shoulder. “We’re to be married; you have nothing more that I want.” His cool smile chilled my bones.

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