Page 74 of Lore of the Wicked Wood
Everinne’s heart tumbled into the acidic pit of her stomach and roiled with the bile brewing there.
“Forgive me, my lord.” She ducked her head, shame coloring her cheeks all the way to the tips of her ears. “It was quite unexpected.”
“Indeed,” Atlas muttered under his breath.
She wanted to apologize again, to explain to Lord Tovian that she didn’treallywant to marry Atlas, but she’d been left with no choice.
Atlas’s grip on her waist tightened, his strong fingers digging into her hip with so much force, she nearly gasped.
“If you’d excuse us, Lord Tovian, I require a word with my futurebride.” Atlas practically spat out the word.
He didn’t wait for Lord Tovian to respond, he didn’t even give her a chance to say goodbye, he simply maneuvered her through the ballroom, toward one of the glass doors that led out onto the patio. He shoved it open, hauling her along behind him as she struggled to match his pace.
Cold air assaulted her, biting through the thin satin of her dress, and her teeth chattered so hard her head began to ache. She wrapped her arms around herself, shivering against the frigid night, her eyes focusing on anything but the angry prince towering above her. Carved stone statues of wolves were perched along the railing, looking out over the silent gardens of the palace. Wind sifted through the trees, stirring the remaining leaves, sending the petals of fading winter blossoms clinging to their last shred of life fluttering at her feet. Moonlight slipped between passing clouds, bouncing between her and Atlas in a play of shadow and silver light.
He folded his arms across his chest and another chill crept down her spine.
This time, she forced herself to look up at him.
“Explain yourself, Everinne.” Atlas’s gaze narrowed. “Now.”
“I…” She hesitated, the truth would be a death sentence for them both. For Veros. “Lord Tovian was going to propose and I…I needed an out.”
“So, you figured you’d claim me as your own?” Atlas demanded, his chest expanding as he inhaled sharply. “Use me as an excuse for your own benefit?”
“Atlas, I panicked.” She sank her teeth into her bottom lip, despising the way the lie rolled off her tongue. It left a foul taste in her mouth, bitter and lingering.
“You realize this cannot be undone.” Atlas shifted closer, blocking the bite of the wind with his broad frame. He took her by the shoulders, gently letting his hands coast up and down her arms to warm her.
Oh, she knew.
Everinne bobbed a hasty nod. “I’m aware.”
He cocked his head to the side, raking a hand through his already mussed hair. For a brief moment, uncertainty warred onhis face, and he pulled back, shoving his hands into the pockets of his pants.
“So.” Atlas studied her then, his gaze slowly traveling over every inch of her as though he was committing her, and this moment, to memory. “You agree to marry me?”
“Y-yes.” Her voice was a scratchy, shaky whisper. She told herself it was because of the cold, but she knew it was for another reason entirely. Her life was unraveling before her, the loose string of her fate held tightly in Kralv Oldrich’s large fist, and there was nothing she could do to stop it.
“Well, then.” Atlas pulled a small wooden box from his pocket. “Better make it official.”
Everinne felt faint. Her knees softened as though they would give out from under her at any moment. Blood rushed loudly in her ears, drowning out the music from the ballroom, until all she could hear was the erratic thumping of her own heart. Her chest was suddenly too tight, she couldn’t get air into her lungs, and the cold fingers of control Kralv Oldrich now held over her wrapped around her throat and squeezed.
“Atlas…” Everinne’s voice cracked, her refusal fading when he knelt before her and popped open the lid of the sleek wooden box.
Set in a cushion of scarlet velvet was a ring. A large oval sapphire gleamed in a setting of swirling gold. The stone’s hue reminded her of the Ladova Bay, a radiant mix of dark green with a sheen of vivid blue. It was beautiful. Stunning.
And she didn’t deserve it.
“This was my mother’s favorite ring.” Atlas’s voice had gone quiet, wistful. He tilted his head back, looking up at the heavens where stars danced behind thin veils of clouds, and the crescent moon shone brightly, its dark side hidden from view. Starysa’s skies were always enchanting at night, full of mystical wonder and magic. Then those eyes of his, those endless pools of softgreen with flecks of simmering gold, were focused on her. “She told me once whoever I married would sparkle beneath the spellbound sky.”
Moonlight washed over her.
The diamonds of her dress twinkled. The glitter she’d dusted on her shoulders before the ball glimmered softly.
Standing before him, Everinne sparkled.
Guilt swarmed her, and when Atlas took her hand, her nose tingled and she tried to blink away the threat of unbidden tears.
