And by “court,” I mean ensure that I still intend to hold up my end of our bargain.
According to Nia, the guards still patrol the bridge—not that I’ve seen as much with my own eyes. Every time I’ve set foot outside the cottage, at least two guards accompany me.
A prelude to my life as Princess of Willowhaven.
At noon on my twenty-fifth birthday, in the middle of the crowded Black Rose pub, I propose to Prince Ronan Reve.
Much to Ivee Lynch’s dismay, he accepts.
Ivee isn’t the only one shocked.
Nia gawks at me, and when those closest to us have finished offering their congratulations, she drags me into the garden to ask what the hell I’m thinking. I tell her Ronan’s fabricated story, that he and I bonded over our shared grief and made amends.
We don’t speak at all on Wednesday.
First thing Thursday morning, Ronan sent a carriage to whisk me away to his home in the tree where guards have been posted day and night. He claims it’s for my safety, but we both know it’s a lie. I’m being held hostage and there’s nothing I can do to stop it.
Two days later, I’m sitting on Ronan’s plush sofa, all alone, wishing there was some way to escape this nightmare that has become my life.
Knowing the bridge remains open on Wednesdays is the only solace I have. Perhaps one of the Unseelie will take pity on Ever and give him some of their water.
The front door eases open, and my stomach sinks the way it always does when Ronan comes over. He’s still living in the castle, but after our wedding, that will change.
Instead of the prince stepping into the room, another familiar figure waits in the doorway. I rub my eyes. Can it really be?
“Father?” I launch off the sofa and race across the room to throw myself into his waiting arms. His embrace feels as safe as I remember, and he still smells like pipe smoke and chilly mountain air. It’s a relief to know that some things don’t change.
“Goodness, my girl.” His chuckle rumbles in his chest. “Here I thought you forgot I existed.” He eases me back, his brow furrowing as he studies me through the spectacles perched on the end of his nose.
Just like Trevor.
Perhaps that’s why I felt so safe with my friend. Why I liked him so much.
And now he’s gone.
“What is this? Why are you crying?” My father’s thumbs trace reassuring circles against my shoulders the way they used to when I was small, and my burdens felt too large to carry.
Because the world is falling apart, and I don’t know how to fix it.“I just missed you, that’s all. What are you doing here?”
“You’ll never believe it, but we received an invitation from the queen herself. She sent a carriage to collect us and everything.”
“Us?”
“Do I not get a look in?” a deep voice grumbles from the foyer. Either my ears are deceiving me or?—
My father steps aside.
“Theo!” My brother is here as well. I let go of Father to hug my brother. If this weren’t the worst time of my life, it would be one of the happiest.
Theo lets me go and gestures toward the porch. “Kerris, there’s someone I want you to meet.”
A pretty young woman with hair the color of aubergines steps into the room, her eyes the most striking shade of aquamarine.
“Kerris, this is my wife, Cora.”
Wait just a minute. Did he say this beautiful woman is hiswife? “Since when did you get married?” He never mentioned a woman in any of his letters.
Theo stuffs his hands into his pockets, a splash of pink spreading across his freckled cheekbones. “Since last week.”