Page 23 of Beguiled
“I vow it!”
He looked at me as he continued to shout out the door. “I discovered that our prisoner has come to the island for a bride.”
A weight settled on my chest.
“You must not say it!” Pearl started toward Irontooth, but the albino woman caught her arm.
“And he’s just agreed to marry Veil.”
“No.” Pearl strained to free herself.
“We’ll hold the wedding tonight!” Irontooth finished with a triumphant smile.
Cheers and whistles rose into the night air.
“Prepare a feast!” he called as more cheers filled the camp.
“No!” Pearl broke loose and rushed toward Irontooth and the door. He swung it shut and spun, catching her as she threw herself at him.
“How dare you?” She swung both fists at his chest.
He easily caught her wrists. “This is for your own good.”
She wrestled against him. “I shall determine my fate, not you.”
Though I wanted to rush to her aid, I held myself back. Her refusal was my only hope in extricating myself from the vow I’d just given Irontooth.
“The queen won’t be able to touch you once you’re married.”
“I shall fend for myself.”
“He’s a powerful prince. He’ll give you a good home and take care of you.”
“You know nothing about him!”
“He took the gauntlet punishment for himself and spared his manservant. That’s all I need to know.”
The fight eased from Pearl, and she ceased struggling.
I studied Irontooth more carefully. Had he truly intended to kill me on the morrow? Or had he hung the threat over me in order to get me to do his bidding? Perhaps I’d misjudged this leader. Thus far, I considered him nothing more than a savage brute. Was he more cunning than I’d allowed?
“Felicity said he’s strong of character, never once complaining about his injuries.”
Pearl glanced at my wounds, which she’d doctored all week. “He is arrogant and untrustworthy.”
Arrogant and untrustworthy? I wanted to defend myself, but what if she was right?
“He can give you and Ruby everything you need.” The woman crossed to Pearl and touched her shoulder. “And most importantly, he’ll keep you both safe from the queen.”
“I can keep Ruby safe on my own,” Pearl replied, although weakly.
My body tensed with the need to step in and say something, but I suspected my interference would make matters worse. With how much Pearl disliked me, she surely wouldn’t capitulate to Irontooth and the woman.
“Sometimes we must make sacrifices for the people we love,” the woman continued. “And this is a sacrifice you can make for Ruby—although I suspect with time you won’t see it as so much of a sacrifice.”
Pearl held herself stiffly for another moment before her shoulders drooped.
The weight in my chest pressed harder. She wouldn’t go through with marrying me, would she?
