Page 45 of Fake Fae-Ancée

The twinge in my stomach turned into rusty razor blades, twisting deeper into the wound. If it weren't for that stupid prophecy, I would have signed the darned papers ages ago. But my pen had been trembling over the paper and I had withdrawn it before I could even spill a drop of ink.

My body, my mind, every fiber of my soul had just refused. And I had thrown the pen away and stomped off, cursing the elders and even the Bear Mother in the stars.

I just wanted this to be finally done and over.

"All right," I gritted out. "As soon as I’m back on the throne, I'll sign the divorce papers. Will you finally be happy then?"

Aunt Yli-Pekkalas eyebrows darted up only the tiniest notch.

"Yeah, I’ll finally be happy then," Kai said, crossing her arms.

Silence stretched between us like old gum.

"If I might add a tiny little thing," the Witch said, bringing the attention to her once more. "It must be believable of course. The plan will only work if everyone thinks you’re madly in love. Even your friends, my dear Kayleen."

Kai blinked at that. "What do you mean, my friends? I should lie to them?"

"It’s more about keeping them safe," the Witch said.

Kai’s face grew pale. I fought the urge to jump up and put a protective arm around her. The impact must have dawned on her. Her normal life was over. She wouldn’t be returning home, or to her job, even to her precious friends. All because my darned cousin wanted her dead. All because I’d had to go and lose my kingdom in the first place.

She turned her purple gaze at me.

"When this is all over, I never want to see you again, Kalinin," she said quietly.

I knew this was what she wanted. But her saying it out loud drove an icy blade through my chest.

"Oh, don’t worry," I said, coldness numbing my insides. "You will be rid of me forever."

Baba watched the exchange, still that amused gleam in her eyes.

"Is that a promise?"

"It is," I gritted, stepping closer. "If you do what is expected from you."

"And what do you expect from me, Your Royal Highness?" she jutted her chin out.

"You are my fiancée," I said in a low voice, towering over her. "My devoted future wife who is fully absorbed in her domestic duties. People must see your infatuation and devotion at first sight. Understood?"

Kai scoffed, eyes flashing. "I think I can do that."

I tilted my head. "Oh yeah?"

"Yeah!" she sneered. "If you can pretend for only a minute to not be the pompous egomaniac prince you usually are, but a decent, proper, grown man who has eyes for his fiancée only, I have no problem pretending to be the docile little princess that you obviously want me to be!"

"No problem at all."

"Great."

"Fine."

Kai narrowed her eyes to slits. "And you'll sign the damn papers."

"I’ll sign the damn papers," I said.

"We stop being married."

I nodded.

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