What does that have to do with anything?
“If you were to propose to me?—”
“No. Absolutely not.”
“Perhaps you should consider your response before turning down my offer.” He leans in to whisper against my ear, “I think it would look very bad if the inspector were to find the dress you left in Trevor’s bathing room. You know, the one covered in blood.”
Heavens… I did leave behind the dress, didn’t I?
A cool sweat breaks across my brow. Leaks down my spine. “It’s wolf’s blood,” I say through trembling lips, realizing this day could, in fact, get even worse.
“Maybe…” He inclines his head toward the man with the badge. “Maybe not.”
Only a few hours ago, he wanted nothing to do with me. What changed between now and then? Even if I did propose to him, why would he willingly tie himself to me for all of eternity? It makes no bloomin’ sense.
“Why would you help me?”
Malice sparks in his too-blue eyes as his mouth curves into a mocking smile. “Do you know how it feels to be rejected by a woman withnothing? The daughter of a fuckinggoatfarmer? To have her cast you aside in front of the entire city in favor of a fucking monster?”
He cannot be serious. “This is about your wounded pride?” Does he even care that Trevor was murdered? Is he truly so selfish that he would use his friend’s death for his own benefit?
“Do you know what I heard when you left the pub earlier? People were saying that you’re the only woman in Rosehill I couldn’t have. And despite the way you’ve treated me, I still want you.”
“I’m not going to marry you, Ronan.”
“Then by all means, plead your case with the inspector. Maybe he’ll believe you about the wolf’s blood. Maybe he won’t. Ormaybehe’ll think your Unseelie lover killed Trevor in a fit of jealous rage. Who knows.” He shrugs as if he doesn’t care either way.
I’m willing to take a chance with my own life, but gambling with Ever’s is out of the question. “Everett didn’t do this.” Of that I’m absolutely certain. “There are guards who can attest that he hasn’t crossed the bridge.”
Ronan bares his teeth in a snarl. “What makes you think they aren’t willing to lie?”
He wouldn’t do that… Hewouldn’t.
“Marry me or watch your Unseelie swing from the gallows. Those are your options.”
He would.
My life in exchange for Ever’s.
A simple choice, one I would willingly make time and again if it saved the man I love.
Agreeing to marry Ronan might give me an audience with the king. I could plead with him to keep the bridge open. I would have a voice.
I would have time to figure out how to get out of this.
Ronan sneers, knowing already that he has won.
I came to Rosehill looking for a husband…
And to my misfortune, I have found one.
49
“Traditional white attire on one’s wedding day symbolizes purity, honor, and truth.”
A Seelie Guide to Matrimony
By Tuesday evening the curfew has been lifted. An interesting development considering they never caught the wolf that everyone was so worried about. My aunt still won’t speak to me, but she has yet to kick me out. Probably because the prince has been calling at the house every day to court me.