Vale of Dreams (Fey Academy for Spies, #2)

by C.N. Crawford

“We have only hours left, you know. The moment my spies received word that you were returning through Corbinelle, I sent for Jasper. ” He stares down at me, and the fresh scent of jasmine soap coils off him. “A few hours left until what?” “If you’d been here, Nia, I could have filled you in. You missed Arwenna’s sham trial. She’s already been found innocent of an assassination attempt.” My jaw drops. “She shot the crown prince with an iron-tipped arrow. Why would they find her innocent?” He shrugs. “We had no proof, and Auberon needs her money. You were our only witness, and you were gone. Her family is wealthier than mine at this point. My father is demanding that I marry her tomorrow. He’s hungry for the considerable dowry she’d bring, since he ran out of money to pay his soldiers long ago. He needs funding desperately. But I’m not letting it happen. We cannot let her get that close to the throne. And you shouldn’t want it to happen, either. If she gets that much power, she will tear you to pieces like a child pulling off a moth’s wings. And that’s why you need to get moving, my beautiful mistress. Jasper will be here any minute to get you ready.” I blink. “For what?” “He’ll be designing your wedding dress. I can’t marry Arwenna if I’m already married.” He’s searching my face, but I’m not sure what he’s looking for. “I’m afraid we only have a few hours until we wed. Nia, this is the only way.”