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“You shouldn’t be here you glutton,” I mutter, and a low growl answers from above. I glance up. Another one perches on a thick branch above its buddy. Great. Better make that two gluttons, then.
Just as I’m about to lie down and let them have me, I remember what Raff said about noise, how it can drive them away, and I throw my arms out and yell. “Go on! Get out of here, you filthy scavengers!”
Well, I’d say I’m dead and done for now. My tale is told. The end is nigh. I was sure I was going to die by Merrin River when I first saw the huntsman hovering over me and, somehow, I survived. But I can’t see a way out of this situation, and that makes me angry,
I keep singing and whirling, screaming out crazy lyrics. I’m a banshee. I’m a draygonet’s worst nightmare. At least I hope I am.
“Yes!” I shake my fist at it. “Yes! Yes! Go home you scaly, spineless baby-eating creeps.”
“Welcome, Lara, you look as though you’ve had quite an adventure.” “And you look as silvery and ethereal as usual.” I gulp,
Ether says, “These are delicious lavender shortbreads. I’ll admit once you start eating them, it is very difficult to stop. You must be hungry. Please take as many as you wish; the plate will replenish forever and a day.”
“How did you manage to outrun them?” “I didn’t. I remembered what Raff said, that they don’t like noise, so I screamed and danced and sang fearsome songs to them until they flew away.” A silver eyebrow arches. “You sang to them?”
“Lara, I will tell you the story you wish to hear most if you will give me something in return.” Oh, no. Not another faery bargain. “I promise I will not ask as much of you as Aer asked of your mother.”
But, first, tell me the price for it.”
“All you need do is honor your bargain with the prince and give the word that is asked of you to the person who requests it.”
haven’t made a bargain with Ever about giving someone a word.” “Indeed, you haven’t yet. But soon, you will enter into this bargain and enter it by your own choosing. All I ask is that you honor it.”
As you already suspected, your mother, Ella, spent time at this court.”
“She aims to make things as difficult as possible for the princes and chooses unlikely candidates, ones she thinks they will never love. But, by the laws of Five, there must be willingness from the bride-to-be or a family agreement in place.
“Well, your sister sounds delightful. You ladies must have some fun dinner parties laughing about all the princes you’ve ruined.” “I wish to help the princes,” Ether snaps.
“So, you could open one now and send me home?” “I could, but I will not. Your part here is not yet played out, Lara.
Aer wants you in our land with as much vigor as she wants you gone from it. She desires to end him—her favorite Black Blood prince—just as much as she wishes to be you, Lara, and keep him forever.”
“My sister mirrors your state, but for a different reason. It is confusing to love something as much as you hate it,
“I see and hear you clearly.” Her voice ricochets off the walls. “You have a gift. And you must remember that here in Faery, music is magic, so wield your power wisely. And do not give in to fear, for the wind will take your troubles away.”
Ever has returned.
“Stop,” I yell. “Are you trying to kill me?” “If I was, I assure you there are infinitely slower and more satisfying ways than letting Jinn trample you to death.”
On my way to the Great Hall, Jinn nearly bowled over our High Mage lurking on the streets. She spun a tale that I found difficult to believe, a story of your venture into the forest. Alone.”
“You were attacked by draygonets,” he booms.
“Why would you leave the gardens when you are forbidden to wander? Perhaps you think yourself a guest here, welcome to explore our kingdom as you see fit. Well, you are not a guest.
Wear that out to snapping and see what happens to you, reckless human.”
“Maybe I just wish you’d hurry up and get it over with, nasty Prince of Never. You’re not my lord, or my king, or my anything. And you never ever will be.”
If the Merits are pleased with you, we may even allow them to take you home.” “You’d love that, wouldn’t you? I know you can’t wait to be rid of me.”
Long have I dreaded finding the mate Aer has chosen for me underneath the Crystalline Oak. But yesterday at dawn, as I watched the amber moon rock in the tree’s branches, I wished her body would materialize out of the mist. I yearned to act swiftly and destroy her, ridding myself in one gruesome deed of the queen-who-never-will-be. Of course, if I kill her, I’m guaranteeing myself a slow and painful death, which I can face if it thwarts Aer’s plans for revenge upon our line. But then the curse will likely pass to Raff after my demise, and that idea gives me nightmares.
Therefore, to save Raff, I should find my chosen mate, become king—and allow the curse to swallow my sons after me. This leaves me with an impossible dilemma. I must decide who I value more, my brother or my future sons.
I don’t wish to hurt him. He’s my oldest friend. But his love is corrupt and toxic.
“And as far as that particular one is concerned, my strongest desire is to watch her bedraggled form depart our city forever.” This is true, but perhaps not for the reason I imply.
“Oh? If it wasn’t a tryst, then why did you ride like the wind to meet her in the forest when you returned?”
“Well, then, it’s fortunate you are unimpressed with the girl because as rumor tells it, she calls you Never. Never would. Never will. Never shall she look upon you with favor.”
Images flash. The girl’s dirt-smudged face. Her ripped work tunic. The fragile skin beneath it. Her body so weak and human. I try and try but cannot push the pictures away.
Stone crumbles as I slam him against the wall. I don’t remember losing control. Or moving. And yet here my fingers are, wrapped around his neck.
“Touch the human and I’ll gladly remove every last scrap of air from your lungs and watch you writhe in agony.” Smiling, I squeeze his throat, a brief sample of the pain in store if he’s stupid enough to disobey me.
“Heed my words, for I have never been more serious.” I push away and stalk to the table, then rest a hip casually against it. “If you touch her, you will die.”
“Who found this human, Kian?” My voice is low, barely a whisper. Deadly.
“And what do the customs of our land dictate when a person catches something interesting?” Smoothing his hair, his fingers shake. “It immediately becomes theirs, Your Highness.”
“Well, then, I suggest you take my outburst as a sign not to meddle with what is mine.”
“I like the human,” says Raff. “She’s an entertaining diversion. I think we should keep her.” Good. Raff has made the suggestion. Now I can demand she stay without raising the council's suspicions too high. I can't explain my motives for wanting to keep her when I don't even understand them myself.
“My brother is right,” I say. “The girl should be hidden. The Merits will do anything to possess her and exhibiting her in plain sight will only bring trouble.”
There. Done. I have secured the girl’s survival until at least the night of the Merit banquet. After that, surely it will be my decision alone as to when her life will become forfeit. I found her. She is mine.
I am the Black Blood heir. As compensation for enduring this blackest of curses, should I not be granted my every wish? There are four things I want. Rest. Peace. Obedience. And an unkempt human girl to do with as I will.
“Do take care or you’ll ruin the fine gown the queen has seen fit to honor you with.” “What little there is of it,” I counter, pointing at the shocking amount of skin on display between my throat and belly button.
“At last, we have a close view of Everend’s human pet. Girl, put your tray down and come show yourself to our guests.”
“Hello, Lara,” he says. “You look very appetizing dressed in finery and decorated with jewels.” “And clean at last,” says Ever in a mocking tone.
I curtsy and speak to Raff since he is the only one who has addressed me civilly. “Hello, Prince Rafael. It’s nice to see you again.” Ever sinks low against the lavish cushions of his chair, knees splaying wide in an arrogant position.
The Merit king says to his green-haired son, “Just as you reported, she is polite and charming.”
“Be seated,” Ever commands. “You won’t find this one of use. The gifts she brings are all you see. A plain face, a body like a lumpy sack of oats, and perhaps even full of curses. Indeed, she possesses no charm or devices from her world to entrance you with. I would not recommend her.”
