Page 84 of Ruthless Scoundrel
I lick my lips, nerves battering my every thought. Now is the time. He’s trusted me with a deep truth. I can ask for this in return.
“Help me kill my mother.”
His thumb coasts along mine in a slow drag. “What then?”
I’m struck silent. What then, indeed. I hadn’t thought of the after, only the act. Save my kingdom and my people, but not what comes next. There could be a power struggle. Any number of wealthy families in Fynren might vie for the throne if they think it’s weak.
And it is.
My eldest sister is likely dead, but certain never to return. She’s been gone more than half my life. Lily hasn’t come home from school. She was abducted by pirates, and despite what Mother said about her being on the way, she never came home. And Alyse…
There are no other heirs left but me, and if I want the throne, I will have to hold onto it with force.
But do I want it?
Not particularly.
I want my people to prosper. I want my kingdom to be fair and to thrive.
And I can’t trust anyone else to do that.
“Marry me,” I say before I can think better of it.
“What?” Jasper sits up so fast I flinch.
I swallow back nerves for what feels like the thousandth time. “Rule with me. Protect your people and give them a place to live free from the abuse of humans. Help me keep mine safe from our threats abroad and within. Help Fynren prosper.”
I can hear my heart beating, feel it in my throat, as I wait for his answer. He looks off toward the tent flap and I wonder if he’s thinking about running. Perhaps I didn’t have him where Ineeded him to spring this. It was too soon. I played my hand, and now it’s over.
I’m holding my breath, but the burn in my lungs is nothing compared to the ache in my chest. Waiting for his answer feels like eternity.
Slowly, he lowers back down to the blankets. “Yeah. Okay.”
Something in me crumbles to ash and I think it might be my heart. He agreed, so why does it feel like I’m dying inside?
“Good,” I whisper as tears gather in my eyes.
Jasper turns away from me. “Good night, princess.”
I roll over, tucking my arms against my chest as I stifle my sobs. “Night.”
Chapter twenty-five
Jasper
Reina is curled in my arms when I wake. She’s gripping my wrist as my hand splays over her belly. Her shoulder is warm against my lips and nose. I want to kiss her, but the feelings from last night return before I can make that mistake.
She asked me to marry her—the selkie equivalent of a mate bond—so why aren’t I happy? Iwanther to be my wife, my mate. Just not like this. Not like a payment.
Atransaction.
I could practically hear her mind whirring away last night, the royal scheming as she considered what would come after usurping her mother. She wants to use me and my family to control the seas and prevent Wolfsheim or Seter from disrupting her reign. I would protect her anyway—always—it just feels so disingenuous this way.
I’m trading Vansen’s cage for hers.
I want her to wantme, not my power and my people.
Men outside the tent cough and spit their morning phlegm as they rise for an early departure. I want to keep holding Reina, keep pretending that this is all there is, just the two of us on the road.
