Heart of the Raven Prince (Entangled with Fae, #2)

by Tessonja Odette

“How can you say that?” Augie croons. “I’m sure I’ve called you…something.”

OMG…

I continue to watch the passengers as we continue the ride but can’t find a single moment where the prince gives Seri more than a cursory glance. The same goes for the pixie, who can hardly take her eyes off the ambassador. There’s nothing heated between her and Franco. Nothing to suggest I hadn’t imagined what I saw last night.

Why not just ask? You’re so forward about everything else… 🙄🙄

Why n

“She will return on the seventeenth of this month. That is her birthday. She’s set to claim her inheritance that day, which is being kept by the crown due to the death of her late father’s executor.” “Let me guess. You want to secure my services in officiating your marriage the minute this Miss Montgomery of yours returns.”

Doesn’t it sound strange that? Doesn’t it sound like he’s trying to force a marriage on someone when they arrive to claim an inheritance? Not like a willing participant…

“Turned over to you?” I scoff. “Your kind truly do treat females like chattel.” “She is my fiancée,” Marus says, his energy clouded with rage. The kind of rage my sister assured me we must never stir.

What? The Queen is scared to make him mad? No wonder he does what he wants!

It seems to me she’s given him far too much freedom and power. Too many promises.

Exactly.

The best damn queen in Faerwyvae.

Obviously not if this exchange is any indication of how she rules, by placating surly bastards.

That’s when I realize I have no destination. Contrary to what I said to Franco, I have no need of the washroom, but if I can find it—or anywhere private—I’ll take the opportunity to be alone. To escape Brother Marus.

Yeah, and likely run straight into your stepmother since she is likely keeping with him because of her deal concerning you and riding his coattails to all sorts of fencing things the rich do.

Nor had I anticipated he’d talk about me.

Why not? You’re so went missing? 🙄🙄

While it pains me to consider my inheritance being forfeit to the crown instead of gifted to an orphanage, I can’t risk being confronted by Marus or Mrs. Coleman.

Why not just write that out as your will and submit it so that it can happen when it’s time without your presence. 🙄🙄

If he finds out I’m only using my bargain with Maisie to evade a primary bargain…

Stupid… Smdh… And it doesn’t make sense why you won’t tell him that part anyway. There was no clause about the primary bargain, you even told Maisie about it.

I glance around the hall, trying to decide where to go from here.

I’m sure one of the ushers can direct you to the restroom. 🙄🙄

Without a second thought,

Or even a first thought…

I’m tempted to reenter the theater through one of the doors and steal a seat in the back, but there’s no guarantee I’ll go unnoticed. The last thing I need is for anyone in the audience to catch Princess Maisie sneaking around without her date.

But the music! How it calls me.

And this is why I feel like she will run into Mrs. Coleman.

I follow the melody’s call, not through the doors to the theater, but farther down the hall. I know not where it leads, only that the music is growing louder.

She’s going to end up backstage…

And why did Brother Marus upset her so?

If you’d actually use your brain it would be obvious.

Followed this pull. But when?

Lordt. Seriously author. It was just last night, not last week. 🙄🙄

it conjures visions of a teal-haired girl in a simple ballgown, of a coy smile and dazzling eyes just visible behind her mask.

Yeah, hair that matches her eyes… like she almost slipped and said but still said with her actions… 🙄🙄

Why would he call me that? I shake my head. It makes no sense. No sense whatsoever.

Right…. I mean, you just played the piano last night though. But it makes no sense…

The only people who saw me play piano at the ball were the wisps and the fat raven.

And his Unseelie form is what again?

“I can’t tell you,” I say, tone sharp. “Besides, why do you care?”

Yes you can. There’s nothing about that in either bargain… 🙄🙄 Author losing the plot while trying to maintain it, putting unnecessary crap in here.

Is it because of me? I curse my foolish self. Of course it’s because of me! He’s probably dragging me somewhere to punish me for ensnaring him with my dangerous magic.

OMG! Stop it!

But that look in his eyes before we were interrupted—No. I’d be stupid to think it held anything other than disgust.

Well, we already know you’re stupid so…

I close my eyes but all I see is the prince’s wary expression before he left me on my balcony. He couldn’t get away from me fast enough. Like I’m dangerous.

So it didn’t even matter what he said then, so why even ask? Idiot.

Then I recall the last thing he said to me before he all but toppled off the balustrade in his haste to get away from me.

Wouldn’t the last thing he said be the first thing you’d think of, especially considering you asked him a question? This is the most ridiculous shit ever.

I fell for him. I was a fool and I fell for him.

You fell for a male glamoured as a fat Raven whom you spoke to for 5, 10 minutes tops… wow.

Not in love, of course, but for his charms.

That’s what “I fell for him” means though… in love… 🙄🙄 “I fell for it” on the other hand…

The way it sinks when I consider if he said them not as a compliment but with regret.

Omg.

natural. In the week that has passed since the night of the opera,

Oh good! A time jump. This was getting ridiculous.

My heart leaps into my throat at the mention of my name. It’s the first time I’ve heard someone utter it since the night of the ball.

That’s dumb.

A storm of fury roars through my veins, sending my arms trembling, my knees quaking.

Yes, we know. Your super power is getting upset and shaking or trembling. That’s all. Nothing else happens when you get angry.

evading a legally binding bargain.

Which shouldn’t have been made with a minor to begin with…

like my true self. My meek self.

Meek is one word for it…

“The sun made me dizzy. It appears I’m still not used to being on land.”

There’s no sun over the sea?

I reach for him, but his hands don’t clasp mine like I expect them to.

You did say “arms” plural so why would you expect him to grab your hands?

I take that to mean he doesn’t want me to speak to him anymore, so I purse my lips and nod.

Of course you would…

I’m about to let that be the end of it. I should. If I don’t, I have no idea where this conversation will go.

Well, that would be stupid as hell, wouldn’t it?

“Ever since we returned from the opera, you’ve been walking on eggshells around me, and it makes my skin crawl.” My eyes go wide as a flood of indignation heats my cheeks.

Why? Nothing he said should have caused that.

It was an expression I couldn’t comprehend, but it doesn’t take much thought to know what it meant.

Obviously it does when it comes to you because you’re the idiot that reads EVERY situation wrong.

My words come out far sharper than I intend, and as soon as they leave my lips, I don’t quite understand why I said them in the first place. All I know is—in the moment—they felt like a weapon.

Because you’re childish.

You shy away from serious topics and try to act like you don’t care. I don’t know who you think you’re fooling, but it doesn’t work on me.”

It shouldn’t really work on anyone that’s spent some time around him… it becomes obvious that’s what he’s doing.

“Which is why I was racked with guilt. I didn’t mean to do that to you.”

You’re an idiot, through and through.

My breaths continue to feel tight, but I manage to still my tapping fingers. “That’s easy for you.” “Well, yes, I’m incapable of lying.

Then wouldn’t that mean it would NOT be easy for him considering she can lie and he would be the only one forced to be truthful?

“You told me your ambassador acted in your stead during the New Moon Masquerade. Have you ever had him act in your place outside of that instance? Has he been glamoured as you on any other occasion?”

Was that really that important? I mean, she’s spent more time with him now since that incident and has gotten to know him better so she should understand why he acted the way he did that day and it shouldn’t matter anymore on the level she’s trying to make it matter.

It stands to reason that the more honesty I give him, the more he’ll give me. Although, that doesn’t mean I have to give him the whole truth. “I wore a mask and ballgown that night.”

Ignorant childish ass…

His answer surprises me. Even though he agreed not to evade or deceive, I didn’t expect him to express such vulnerability.

No, it’s only you being dishonest and averting truths.

I take a few deep breaths to steady my nerves. Again, I could refuse to answer. But that would be far more suspicious than the truth.

Well, considering you’re likely not even going to tell the whole truth, does it even matter?

An isle where humans and fae live together in peace.

Peace?

“You go, Clara,” Imogen says without looking at her. “Might I have Her Highness’ permission to speak privately?” My muscles tense. I have no desire to be alone with Imogen, especially when she’s in such a mood as she’s in now,

You’ve been acting a princess for an entire week and you’re still scared of a commoner human?