Page 123 of The Prince from a Cruel Summer
The prince who stole my heart with his first fiery kiss, back when I feared he was merely a fever dream—a perfect construct of the labyrinth fashioned to my exact fantasies. An ideal tailor-made to my preferences, yet forever out of reach.
He’d taken charge in much the same way that night, eager to lead me where I yearned to go. Confident, mischievous, and devoted to my cause, ready to cheat, lie and scheme just so he could keep me by his side.
I catch up with him before he crosses the windowsill, in awe that I, an insignificant moth with barely two pieces of silver to her name, can incite such passion in the most bewitching and powerful Fae heir on the continent.
Before now, I never truly believed we could make it. It sounded too good to be true, empty promises whispered in the throes of passion. The sentiment behind them was true enough for our silly dreams to be spoken out, but not acted upon.
Yet, Aidan trulycravesfor me to become his wife. He’s ready to put our love first, above the demands of his birth and the crown he’s supposed to inherit. I’ve argued against it for months—often contrary to my own desires—but he still choosesme.
My heart races in my chest, too wide and hot for the ice in my veins not to melt.
By the spindle.We’re really doing this.
Aidan and I are going to elope.
Chapter 38
Lessons
WONDER BOY
The restless energy in my chest would set me ablaze if I let it, the fire that lives inside me sizzling right under the skin. I’m a ball of nerves, planning out everything I need for the enchantment Beth plans to weave.
I can only commend her for her desire to test that I’m not under some kind of influence from her siren song. If it’s something she needs to feel more comfortable, I’m all for it, but from the looks of the ingredients and instruction, the spell might take a few hours to complete. It’s a talisman-type of enchantment that wards sailors against the effects of the Sea folks’ voices. A powerful spell that was locked away in the archives of the academy and meant for our eyes only—not the type of enchantment you’d find in any glorified witch shop. It probably hasn’t been used since the Mist wars, when the Summerlands armies had to venture out through the Breach, but it’s a tried and true way to dispel any siren song and protect the wearer from any further harm or influence.
I dry off my hands on the front of my shirt, my skin growing hotter by the second. By this time tomorrow, Beth and I will be married, and once it’s done, we can find a gentle way to break the news to our parents. Even my father will have to accept my decision, given no alternative.
No one has to know that she’s part siren, and people will have plenty of time to get used to the idea of me marrying a moth before I’m called to rule.
The thought fills me with equal parts giddiness and apprehension.
I catch a glimpse of Ezra entering our kitchen from the corner of my eye as I double-check the list Beth gave me. “Hey. I need you to run interference for me. My father is probably going to swing by tomorrow morning to talk about the challenge, and I need you to tell him I’m running a quick errand, and that I’ll be back soon.”
“Alright.” Ezra peruses the gear on the counter in front of me, frown lines wrinkling his forehead. “What’s that for?”
“A spell.”
“Are you going somewhere?” he asks quietly, looking more glum than usual.
My lips quirk. “Yes, but I can’t tell you the details.”
Ezra has been struggling to adjust to married life, distancing himself from most, if not all, of the women he used to have fun with. He’s hell-bent on doing right by Willow, at least in appearances, but his newfound misery is at such a stark contrast to my current happiness that he’s been keeping me at arm’s length, too.
“Oh, come on, boo. You know you can trust your best friend. What’s going on?” His voice borders on sugary, and his eyes bore into me in a very blunt, intimate way.
Even though Ezra knows about Beth and me, I suspect he’s still hot for her, so I’ve spared him the details of our relationship.
“When I come back, after the Shadowlands challenge is settled, you and I should go somewhere together. Pick a place we’ve never been before and visit, just for fun.” I slip on my jacket, my Shadow mask safely tucked in my pocket.
“Damian has to win that challenge, right?”
I scoff at the trace of uncertainty in his tone. “Are you serious? There’s no doubt about it.”
His pale brows pull together. “You mean since your girlfriend won’t marry him?” he says in a dry, almost sarcastic quip. “Because logic dictates he’d stand a chance if she did.”
“Beth is obviously not marrying Zeke. What’s gotten into you?”
Ezra wrinkles his nose at the last of the ingredients lying across the counter. “What kind of spell calls for something as foul as myrtle seaweed? Are you planning to hunt a siren?”
