Page 109 of Crown of Hearts
“Well as you probably heard, I had business in town this morning,” he started.
“Yes?”
“It also gave me time to think certain matters over.”
I waited for him to continue, watching his every move with anticipation.
“And after some careful consideration, I believe you should accept my offer of marriage.”
My mouth almost fell open but I clenched my jaw shut. His offer of marriage?
What was he talking about?
“I’m sorry, I don’t think I heard you correctly,” I responded.
“Oh, I think you heard me just fine.” He was getting closer now.
“You cannot possibly be serious,” I insisted.
“Why not? Everness and Argon united, no one would dare stand against us.”
“You’re only doing this because you want Cai off the throne, because you want to conquer Norrandale,” I said, before I could think better of it.
“Can you blame a man for being ambitious?” He stopped in front of me, and if he dared to move any closer, I was going to pull out my dagger and let him know just what I thought of him. Consequences be damned.
“Is this because he killed your brother?” I asked. I didn’t know if the subject would anger him and make things worse. I risked it.
“Dexus was family,” he acknowledged. “But this isn’t just about revenge.”
“Then what is it about?” I stared into his eyes, daring him.
“I think you know.” His smile was vicious, deadly. He was deadly.
“I’m not going to let you use me against Cai.”
“Why?” He leaned his head down towards me. “Don’t tell me you love the boy?” His tone was mocking, and I hated how he referred to Cai as a boy.
Yes.My mind told me to respond.Say yes.
“Don’t fool yourself, Elara. I know where you come from, who you really are.”
What did he mean by that? Was he talking about my life before becoming royalty? I didn’t want to ask.
“People like you and me, we’re not capable of love. You and I both know you’ll ruin him.”
His words were a punch to the gut, and I didn’t want to believe him. But maybe they hit so deep because what he said wasn’t unfamiliar to me. Subconsciously, I believed the same thing.
“Get out of my room,” I said, through clenched teeth.
“Think it over, will you?” He brushed my chin with his fingers, and I jerked back.
“I’ll see you at tonight’s dance.”
“Dance?”
“Don’t you remember? I told you about the banquet when you arrived. There’s to be dancing afterwards.”
Trap. It must be some kind of trap.
