Page 86 of Prince of Never

I’d sat by the fire as it slowly died, chewing on what that meant.How was I supposed to become a lady of a freaking castle?Especially when Sarah remained as she was.It seemed so unjust.

I let out a sigh and stood from the chair, deciding to take a walk instead.Maybe it would help to clear my head.

But where was Tarian?When was he coming home?There were so many things I needed to ask him, about being fae, about my role in this strange world now.But more than that, I found myself missing him.

‘So the rumours were true,’ a familiar voice said as I stepped into the warm sunlight.I turned to see Ves pushing off from a pillar, almost as if he’d been waiting for me.He strolled towards me with his hands in his pockets.‘Now this is interesting.’He peered at me closely, cocking his head to the side as he took me in.‘A glamoured changeling.What a way to muddle the game.’

‘Ves,’ I said tightly.I hadn’t seen him since the festival.‘What do you want?’

‘Such a cold greeting.But I suppose I deserve that.I didn’t intend to put you in harm’s way at Beltane, pet, but I underestimated Tarian’s stubbornness.Bull-headed to the last.Then again, you do give him a good run for his money.’

‘You haven’t answered my question.’

‘Did he tell you where he was off to this morning after such an’—his eyes dropped to my wrist, a whisper of a smile at his lips—’intimate evening away from the castle?’

I knew he was trying to get a rise out of me, but damn him if it wasn’t working.‘Why do you do that?’I asked.

‘Do what?’

‘Cause trouble for no reason.What are you hoping to gain this time?’I asked, crossing my arms over my chest.Was he hoping Tarian and I would argue?That I’d stop trusting him?I could see no gain in any of this for him.

‘Maybe I’m just curious how much he’s telling you.Did he tell you he’s gone scurrying off to see Briyala this morning?’he asked, his eyes studying my expression.

My blood ran cold.With everything else going on, I hadn’t even spared a thought for Tarian’s fiancé.What did that say about me?I’d been so caught up in everything that was happening, I hadn’t even stopped to think about that fact that he wasengaged.Despite Tarian’s account of their relationship, the situation was sticky and it left me feeling dirty.I was the other women.Me.I’d never been the other woman in my entire life.I’d always wondered how anyone could do that to someone and yet there I was.

But this situation was so different from anything I’d encountered in the human realm.Theirs was an arranged marriage, a political game that had nothing to do with any feelings.At least, that’s how Tarian had painted the picture.

But political or not, I wasn’t interested in being his mistress.I also wasn’t interested in sharing him.The very thought of it had something feral in me snarling.Something I hadn’t even known existed.

And yet, how else could I fit into his life if he was to marry someone else?

‘Oh?’I managed to say.It wasallI could manage to say.

Ves’ lips curled.‘You know, if you want, I could take you back to the human realm.’

‘You’re offering to take me home?’

‘Yes.’

‘Why now?’Now that I looked very much not human, now that I knew I didn’t belong there, now that I had bonded with Tarian.Was he testing me?

‘Because I know you won’t take it,’ he said, his smile widening.‘Despite the fact that he’s off with another woman right now, you won’t leave him.’

‘He’s notoffwith another woman.He’s—‘ My words died in my throat.I didn’t know what he was doing exactly, but I had to trust him.I had to trust that he would fix everything.Or was I simply being naïve?‘You’re doing it again,’ I said irritably.

‘Perhaps I’m merely trying to get a read on you,’ he said, scanning me from head to toe.‘Loving Tarian is not for the faint of heart, and you’ll need a tougher skin if you’re going to stand against the queen.’

‘She’ll never accept me.’It wasn’t a question.I’d only seen the woman a couple of times, but there was not a single ounce of warmth in her, that much I could tell.I might be fae now, but I still threatened the Unseelie kingdom in her eyes, and I had nothing to offer.I wasn’t wealthy or connected like I assumed Briyala was, and I had no powers to speak of.What would that mean for Tarian?

‘Don’t take it too personally,’ he said casually, examining the heel of his boot.‘The queen doesn’t like anyone.She doesn’t feel much of anything, in fact.Other than scorn.Though creative forms of torture have been known to make her crack a smile.’

‘I see.’My heart sank even lower than it had when he’d said Tarian had left to see Briyala.‘She’s not going to accept me as Tarian’s mate, is she?’I shouldn’t have asked that question, shouldn’t have given it breath and life to float in the air before me.Would she find a way to keep us apart?

Ves tapped a finger against his chin.‘As a rival for his loyalty?Highly unlikely.Especially not with the tiny matter of a prophecy predicting you’ll bring down the Unseelie throne hanging around your neck.’

That bloody prophecy.I was so tired of hearing about it, this vague fortune that I was supposed to be part of.The idea that I could bring down an entire kingdom was laughable.I had been human a few hours ago, and despite being fae now, I didn’t feel like I was any more of a threat.And the idea of hurting Tarian like that?There was no way I could do it.So why was this thing hanging over me, dictating my whole life?

And yet, Tarian believed it.Of course he did or he wouldn’t have tried so hard to resist our connection.If he had to choose between his crown and his mate, would he choose me?Hadn’t he already?I hated how insecure this whole situation made me and yet that traitorous little voice in the back of my head kept whispering,what if?

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