Page 18 of Kiss of Ice

“A hero? He nearly caused a war.”

“That was your fault. You deserted Nush’aldaam. What, was it all too much for a playboy prince? Was life getting too serious?”

“My life was stolen by your father!”

Ren blinked and Kam swore under his breath. He hadn’t meant to say that but she was just so gods damned aggravating.

“What does that mean?”

He gathered himself. Clearly she didn’t know what Salaq had done to him. For whatever reason, she believed her father to be some kind of saint.

“It doesn’t matter.” He turned away from her. “But believe me when I tell you Salaq probably has an ulterior motive for wanting this match.”

“Of course he does. The match will benefit the Marid. That’s no great secret.”

Kam sank into the throne again. He leaned forward, one hand under his chin, examining her.

“And you? Why do you want to marry a, let’s see, deluded playboy prince who deserted his people?”

“I don’t.”

“Finally. The truth.”

“I would rather marry a mountain troll.”

He gave a bark of laughter.

“You have a quick tongue, my Lady. And there I was, thinking you were nothing but a voiceless drudge.”

“I’m sorry I don’t measure up to your standards of femininity,” she snapped. “I’m sure you prefer women with the tonal qualities and bodyweight of a songbird.”

“You seem very interested in my bed partners.”

She flushed.

“I’m not interested at all. So let’s end this charade, your Majesty. I shall tell my father the marriage proposal is no longer on the table.”

The smile dropped from his face.

“No. You won’t. You will give your consent today. Now.”

She thought she’d misheard.

“You want the match to go ahead?”

“It’s an opportunity I can’t pass up. Your father and I have unfinished business and marrying you gives me the advantage. So call it what you will – an arranged marriage, a marriage of convenience – but I assure you, itwillgo ahead.”

She glared.

“Not if I don’t consent. There are laws.”

His eyes hardened and for a brief moment she thought she saw a flash of green in the hazel depths.

“You will consent. Otherwise I will reveal your theft. Not only willyoube incarcerated, but I’ll track down the one you delivered the medicines to. Sickle fever is a rare condition, there can’t be many younglings suffering from it. And when I find him, he and his family will be imprisoned for receiving stolen goods.”

She tried to speak, paralysed with shock.

“You… you… you’re a monster.”

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