Page 7 of Accidentally Engaged
“I—”
I don’t know. I’ve never gotten myself into this particular mess before. “Look, you have to say you reject me.”
“I don’t want to do that! I love you!”
“No, you don’t!”
“I might! You don’t know,” Jared counters, an obstinate look in his eye as he defiantly raises his chin.
“I know that a banshee’s betrothal only has two endings, buddy, death or denial. Deny my offer!” I hiss, magic pumping into my voice, my hair floating up, and my eyes turning into shining emerald flints.
Most men would be terrified. I look positively evil right now.
But Jared just smiles, and that little-kid-lost-in-wonder expression cements itself on his face. “You’re so powerful, aren’t you? Wow. My wife is a superhero.”
“Argh!” I let out a single piercing yell that should send him to his knees.
He just smiles and gently releases one of my hands so he can pat the other. “It’s okay. We don’t have to rush.”
“I’m not your wife!” I spit.
“I meant my future wife. Sorry, honey.”
“Oh... Oh, why are you so nice?” I wail, and my magic poofs away like dandelion fluff in a windstorm.
“Just who I am, I guess.” He shrugs. A trace of worry crosses his face, a handsome face with a bit of extra padding and a soft brown beard that reminds me of my childhood teddy bear. All of him reminds me of a teddy bear.
A big, gentle bear that might show me his strength once he knows it’s safe...
I have to stop thinking like that in case he picks up on that, too.
“You said death or denial. If I don’t call this off, what happens? Do I die?”
“No, you don’t die,” I sigh, crossing my arms.
“Death, denial, or... Is there a third option?”
“Yes.”
“What’s the third option?”
“Marriage.” I glare.
“Ooh. I pick that one.”
“I don’t.”
It’s his turn to look stern. He crosses his arms.
Big, burly arms.
Arghhh, I need a man—but not this one!
Why not this one? A nagging little voice whines, and I tell it to leave me alone.
“So, refuse me, then,” he challenges.
“Okay, I—” I can’t do anything. I offered. He accepted. By fae laws, this engagement is binding.
