Page 39 of Brutal Fae King
My very beautiful bedroom has become a very beautiful prison in a single moment.
I can’t believe the bastard would go that far!
Magically binding me to him?! After I alreadysaidI would marry him?!
I didn’t have any intention of leaving the kingdom, or even the castle—I don’t want to be the reason that Faevea falls and hundreds of thousands of people die—it’s just humiliating to beshackledto him in such a way. I went from being the second part of a reluctant deal to a dog on a leash. An equal party to a subservient.
I’m lying face down on the puffed-up, goose feather bed, soaking the pillow with my own tears. I don’t know how long it’s been since the wedding-
Oh, the wedding!The wedding!
I weep even harder.
I’d dreamed of my wedding day, like many little girls had. Back in Thawallow, my life was getting up, taking care of Maribelle, helping on other villagers’ farmlands so that I could earn a few measly scraps of food or old, tattered blankets—hopefully enough for us to live for the evening—and then sleep so I can do it again. Getting married seemed like the most likely way that routine was going to break, that some help was going to enter my life… that I was finally going to be able to rest, at least for a moment. It was also the only day in my life thatIwas going to be treated like I was special…
No taking care of anyone, no work, and everyone would be happy and celebrating me and my new husband. I’d be in apretty dress, and there’d be music and dancing, and everyone would be smiling.
But of course… it was merely a dream. It was a beautiful, fragile dream. No man would ever find me attractive. I have nothing to offer, and I am still taking care of my sister. That’s the reality of it, but I was allowed to enjoy my glorious fantasy.
But now… it’s over. There’s no chance I’m ever getting married to a man I love now because I’m already taken by another in a marriage of convenience. Moreover, it’s not even like I can escape this marriage of convenience as soon as I know the kingdom is safe; the spell will kill me if I break my marriage vows, he said—and presumably, the spell will continue until death does us part.
Can the spell be broken?The thought crosses my mind.
I shuffle up to my knees on my bed and think about it.
The witch could certainly do something about it. But would the king know that I’d done something? Would hefeelit if I broke our bond together? Or would I be able to do it in secret without him realizing?
Oh, but what’s even the point?I lament.The kingdom will crumble if I leave. There’s no point breaking the bond when I can’t leave without destroying the entire realm.
A little of the shock and grief have washed away in my tears, and angry tears are filling my tears in my place. I was already trapped. I was already forced to be here—why would he do this? Is he that petty? Is he that insecure or impotent? Did he specifically want to humiliate me? Is that why he did this?
I swipe the back of my hand across my eyes.
That’s it, isn’t it?my inner thoughts growl.He wasn’t able to “break me” the way he wanted, so he did all this, didn’t he?
I step out of bed. I suddenly have a wave of inspiration; if I’m married to him, now officially the queen in every undeniable way, I’m going to act like it!
He's going to regret being petty toward me! I can match that kind of pettiness and then some! By the time I’m done, he’ll break the spell himself as soon as the kingdom is safe!
I stride over to my bedroom and throw open the door. The guards behind it startle as the door suddenly whips open behind them.
“Oh-oh! Your Majesty!” one of them says.
“Go to the wine cellar and bring meall the wine!” I declare. “By order of the queen!”
The pair of them look between each other.
“Wh—all of it?” the other asks quietly.
“Yes!” I order. “And then, gather all your comrades and other staff! We’re having apartyin my room!”
“W-wait, thestaffare having a party in the queen’s chambers?”
“Yes! Immediately!” I say. “Spread the word. Itismy wedding day, after all, so I deserve a celebration!”
“The king will—”
I smirk.
