“You woke the fucking Prince, Aerinne!”
His wintry moonstone gaze scythes through the crowd then stops. I remember from the garden that glimpse of ancient pain but the way he looks at me now is different. Chillingcalculation as if he’s weighing the worth of my life against the trouble required to end it; a demigod contemplating the annihilation of a troublesome ant.
I am a threat, if he allows me to live. No male, especially a High Lord, wants to be at another’s mercy. Or even the punishing mercy of self.
“Your mother should have warned you what happens when you catch the eye of a High Lord. OfthisHigh Lord.”
My mother,I think bitterly,should have stayed home.
He disarmed me that day starting with his presence in my home, and the regifted necklace. Stolen my anger as if it never existed. It wasn’t until evenings later I lay in bed in a cold sweat, fully understanding how insidiously he’d infiltrated my will. It took me days as I healed to shore up my shaken defenses.
“Are you ready, Aerinne?” my father asks, offering his arm.
I slide my hand into the crook of his elbow, anchored by his unflappable bearing.
Glancing slightly up at Baba’s stern profile, for a moment it’s another male juxtaposed at my side. Just as tall, dressed in the same ornate robes of our House,he glances down at me with a slight quirk to his lips, true gold hair wild waves down his back. Ocean and driftwood eyes gleam with an elder brother’s secret, mischievous message.
“One hour of good behavior, little thorn, then I’ll release the baby kraken.”
I grin up at him. I get to be Danon’s distraction today. Maman and Baba will befurious,though I think Maman pretends sometimes just to make Baba feel better. She’s a High Lord first, ruler of a House, and Danon warns me all the time that means she’s our mother second. High Lords use the tools they have.
But he dragged me out of bed at the ass crack of dawn, shoved me into dress leathers, snuck me out of the house—he says ask forgiveness not permission—and briefed me on my assignment in the coach as we struck a deal.
“Just remember I don't work for free. A three month supply of Hershey’s or I’m a perfect princess.”
He winces, brow wrinkling a bit in amused distaste. “Have I ever reneged on a deal?”
He'll have to smuggle the candy in since the Courts are still bitching over the new trade agreements like whiny babies with heads stuck up their ancient asses. I figure by the time I'm twenty they may have figured their shit out. That gives me seven years to start my own little underground trade in American chocolate.
My brother actually thinks I'm gonnaeatall of it.
No, I’m gonna make some money then go legal, open a coffee stand and then a cafe. I’m Aerinne K of fucking Faronne, so I don’t need a stinking permit, just my last name. And my brother.
“There was that one time?—”
His eyes gleam. “I didn’t renege. You didn’t take care with your words.”
Yeah. . .he’s my brother, but he’s still almost High Fae.
No one fucks with Danon. My rep is getting to where they won’t fuck with me either. You’d think Fae would know how to handle crazy better, but they don't, and I'm good at crazy, so there we go. I get to be the distraction.
“I have everreallyreneged on a deal?”
“Nope, you?—”
“—never have.” My voice hitches.
The one advantage I have in this situation is that my heart broke long ago, so I’m safe from Renaud Gautiershattering it anew. Though I expect my body will be his to do with as he pleases and there’s plenty left there to break.
“The fire of humanity combined with the ethereal grace of the Fae. A hint of Other. We underestimated your allure, Aerinne.”
“Tonight is going to end in someone bleeding,” I say. Though it’s supposed to herald the start of peace I can’t accept. Not if I want to live, and that is now my choice.
Live, and sacrifice my people.
Die, and save them.
“The safest option for you is for our Prince to take you now and sate his desire. It may be harsh, painful even, but quickly over.”
