“It’s the only way. I’ll be back to take you to meet him, officially. They’ll draw up the documents during the visit. Your service to the Wild Hunt will be finished, and you’ll be out of our father’s reach. You’ll be safe.”
“I don't love him. I don’t even know him.”
“Love has nothing to do with this. Love is not for royalty.” I hate myself even as I speak it, knowing those were Father’s words to me the first time I ever felt myself falling for a woman. He forced me to close that door. My marriage would be a marriage to suit our political needs, just as much as Violence’s will be.
Her mouth has fallen agape in horror. “No,” she repeats, “I—”
That’s when I see it. The single shining light within her, her last strand of hope she’s clinging to. I curse under my breath, a hand rising to cup her cheek. Her skin is warm against my palm, and her eyes have gone glassy. Just like Mom. She looks just like Mom.
“There is someone else on your mind?” I ask softly.
She nods and blinks as if she might keep any unwanted tears from escaping.
I curse under my breath. “You’ll have to let him go. Your safety is more important.”
“Let him go? As if it’s that easy? As if you have any idea what I’ve had to let go already? No. No, this one thing, this one person, he’s mine and... and I won’t give him up.”
Frustration rallies in the pit of my stomach. “Youhaveto.”
“You will not tell me what to do.” With a ragged breath, she shoves my hand away and stands from the bed to begin pacing her room.
“Who is it?” Now I’m standing, too, hands fisted at my sides. “One of those beasts from the Hunt? Which one?”
“Does it matter to you?” She bares her teeth in a growl. The feral sister that I know rising to the surface.
“Tell me.” A name, I need a name. Whoever it is, he’s another obstacle in the way of protecting her. I could go to him. Plead her case. Send him away. Save her. I have to save her.
She shakes her head, setting her jaw. So stubborn. Now I know she isn’t going to tell me. She has made up her mind.
“Is it the one who was in that prison cell with you?”
No response.
“It doesn’t matter which one it is. They are beneath you. Violence,” I take a step toward her and she backs away, “You are a princess. You will marry royalty, or you will marry nobility. There are no other options, no matter what sort of feelings you think you have for this man. Trust me, it’s better you stop now then lead him on. Nothing can become of this.”
“Do not tell me what to do.”
If Casimir was here, he would be laughing at me. He’d known this would go poorly. I’d known too. I’m a fool.
“I am the heir to the throne of the Court of Darkness. One day, I will be king. It would suit you well to listen to me.”I’m trying to help you.
Her mouth shifts into a bleak sneer. “You sound likeFather.”
My heart stops.
My hand drifts to my chest to hold the imaginary dagger she has just struck me with. Blood rushes to my cheeks. A tremble chasing from my head to my toes. My stomach lurches, bile threatening to come up at the very thought.
“Don’t say that.” My voice is hardly a whisper.
“It’s true.” She only holds her chin higher.
“No!” I bark. She winces at the noise as my hands curl into fists. I quiet myself, force away the anger. “Father only wants to use you, use all of us to his advantage. As if we are only pieces within fucking Pucks and Daggers.Iwant to help you.Iwant to protect you.” I inhale. “Please, don’t compare me to him.”
Violence stares. Whatever she sees there must be answer enough because she comes closer, holds my cheeks, and presses our foreheads together. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry, but I can’t give him up. Not yet.”
Not yet.Those two little words spark a hope that in time, she’ll see. In time, she’ll be able to let him go. Whichever one it is. I can picture the two savage-looking men of the Hunt in my head, wondering which one holds my sister’s heart so tightly in his hands.
My eyes drift close. “I’m sorry about Mother. I—I tried to stop him. I tried to save her.” Tears burn at the edges of my lashes.
