Page 5 of A Cage of Crystal

Emotions clashed in her heart, anger warring with something softer. How dare Teryn propose marriage without asking her directly! She…she…she would stab him for this. Surely she deserved a far better proposal than one of contractual obligation. But of course he didn’twantto marry her. This was a matter of politics and alliances, as all royal marriages were. It was all for the better this way. She wasn’t certain she wanted to keep her title longer than it took to reestablish her brother’s rule. A marriage of the heart would only complicate things.

Still…he’d come up with this plan forher. That had to amount to something. Perhaps he did want the union, for reasons other than necessity.

Warmth crept into her chest, barreling through her anger, her shock. Memories of the kiss they’d shared in Ridine’s dungeon came to mind, of that moment of pleasure and desire that had ended in trickery. He’d kissed her to trick her. He’d tricked her to force her to leave him behind. She’d resented him for using her own hidden desire against her, but…

Could he have wanted the kiss as much as she secretly had?

Verdian’s voice was an unwelcome distraction from her thoughts, especially with the taunting lilt to his voice. “Your betrothal contract will be drafted at once. You will marry the Prince of Menah in one year.”

Cora frowned, puzzling over the mocking way he’d saidPrince of Menahand that he’d referred to Teryn asprince. Bethaeny had said Teryn postponed his coronation, but Verdian had begun calling Terynkingas soon as the battle was over. A cloud of dread began to sink her stomach.

“Once you agree, we will speak with Prince Larylis,” Verdian said. Then, with a smirk, he added, “I doubt he’ll have any qualms over it. He’s lucky to be a prince, much less marry a princess.”

Cora felt as if the floor had opened a gaping hole beneath her. Her disappointment was so heavy, it made her head spin. “Just so we’re clear,” Cora said, her voice trembling, “I am to marry Teryn’s brother…Larylis.”

“PrinceLarylis,” Bethaeny said, tone brimming with disdain. “Thanks to my late husband’s last wish.”

Cora curled her fingers around her chair’s armrests.

Teryn hadn’t made a proposal of marriage between himself and her. He’d made it between her and hisbrother.

Every soft feeling that had awakened inside her dissipated beneath the new wave of fury that roared through her. She wasn’t mad at Teryn. No, what he’d done made sense. He was already engaged to Princess Mareleau. He had no romantic inclinations toward Cora. Her anger was with herself. For that pathetic spark of hope she’d allowed herself to entertain.

“Oh, Highness,” Bethaeny said, voice soft, “you didn’t think…”

Cora met her eyes and found the queen’s expression held equal parts sympathy and amusement. It was the latter emotion that had Cora’s chest heaving. She tore her gaze from Bethaeny’s and turned her attention to Verdian. “Is that all?”

“There are finer points to this arrangement,” he said, sharing neither Bethaeny’s sympathy nor her amusement. “Should Dimetreus fail to secure a proper bride and provide a suitable heir, rule will pass to you upon his death or abdication. If Dimetreus’ council deems him incapable of the crown at any point, he will be forced to abdicate at once. If this occurs before you and Larylis have officially wed, you’ll need to formalize your marriage immediately. Your council will not recognize you as Dimetreus’ heir until this marriage alliance is secure.”

Cora glanced at her brother again only to find resignation in his eyes. This was another term he’d already agreed to. What else was there for her to do but resign herself to it as well? She was too angry to think things through, too irritated by her own fickle heart to do anything but say, “I accept. All of it. Whatever it takes. When can we return home?”

Verdian tilted his head back as if he hadn’t expected her to agree so readily. “We’ve arranged transportation and lodgings. My brother, Lord Kevan, will host you at his estate for a few days while we finish preparations. He will serve as Dimetreus’ Head of Council and will escort you and some of your new household staff to Ridine—”

“Great,” Cora said. She was disturbed by how much had already been arranged before she’d agreed. More than that, she was desperate to end the meeting. “We will leave for Lord Kevan’s estate at once.”

“Very well,” Verdian said. “The sooner we can bring stability to Khero, the better.”

With her cooperation secured, she took the opportunity to excuse herself. She felt a flash of guilt for abandoning her brother, but she needed to get out of there. To breathe. To be alone—

“I hope you didn’t think it was going to be that easy.”

Cora had just left the closed doors of the king’s study behind her when a tall female figure blocked her path. She expected it to be one of the guards who had brought her here, but she spotted both of them waiting farther down the hall. Instead, she was confronted by a woman dressed in a turquoise silk gown with a plunging neckline that revealed an ample bosom. Her skirts flared out at her waist in every direction. Her silver-blonde hair fell in perfect curls over one shoulder. Cora blinked at her a few times. “Excuse me?”

“Don’t get comfortable,” the girl said, blue eyes flashing with menace. “You aren’t marrying Larylis.”

She wanted to say that she didn’t give two licks about Larylis, or her, or anyone here. Instead, she lifted her chin to meet the other woman’s eyes. Batting her lashes, she said, “Should I know you?”

The blonde’s cheeks heated with indignation. The truth was, Cora knew exactly who she was. It didn’t take a genius to guess this was Princess Mareleau Harvallis, the woman who’d spurned her engagement to Teryn and sent him on a hunt for unicorns. Until this moment, Cora hadn’t realized just how much she already despised her.

Mareleau took a step closer, hands on her hips. With a cruel grin, she looked Cora up and down. “Nice dress. Do you always wear children’s clothes?”

Cora gave her an innocent smile. “When my only options are the leftovers from some spoiled harpy with poor taste in fashion, yes.” With that, she skirted around Mareleau and stormed down the hall, her fury burning hotter with every step she took.

3

There were few things in life Teryn Alante truly despised. Sitting still for any extended period was one of them. His disdain for inertia had sprouted when he’d been kept prisoner by Duke Morkai before the battle at Centerpointe Rock. He’d been helpless. Powerless. Unable to prevent what came next. Those feelings had only worsened after the battle. After his father’s gruesome demise.

Now if he stayed still too long, his mind would fill with blood.

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