A Crown of Cursed Hearts (Kingdom of Blighted Thorns #3)

60. Tempest

60

TEMPEST

“ I don’t believe I heard you right.” My harsh words caused the air to shimmer around us. “He wants . . .”

Lord Dultrette rose from the chair, rounding it to cling to the back.

As if something that insignificant would keep me from him if I chose to attack?

“A bride. Willing, of course. He was quite specific about the latter. And she must be fae.” His eyes shot to Vexxion. “Not you, naturally, my high lady. You’re the Beast’s fated.”

We needed help, but I would not hand a woman over to an unknown fae king who could be even worse than Ivenrail. “Tell him to come here and make his plea. I’ll meet him and allow him to speak to some women. Maybe one of them will agree to marry him.”

“He was, err, quite specific,” Lord Dultrette said, his voice aquiver. “He’s also quite eager. You see, the other courts, his enemies, have allied themselves with King Ivenrail.”

“What?” I barked?

I needed to back off or he’d flit from here before I had the chance to get anything out of him, and I needed him.

“They’ve, err,” his swallow raked down his throat, “allied themselves with—”

“I heard you,” I said pleasantly, pointing to his chair while taking the one next to it for myself. “Please sit.”

“Yes, err, well.” He gingerly rounded the chair and perched on the edge of the maroon velvet cushion. “He stated that I’m to return to him with your answer immediately or his fleet will not put to shore on Lydel. He will then consider our tentative truce null and void.”

“How in the world does he expect me to randomly find him a willing bride?” I growled.

“I’ll do it,” Reyla said softly. She stiffened her spine and glared at Lord Dultrette. “I agree to willingly marry the Evergorne Court king.”

Airia’s back arched sharply as she stared at Reyla.

I burst to my feet. “Absolutely not. For all we know, he’s a monster.” From my prior experience with the fae—excluding present company—the odds were good he was.

“You just heard what the lord said.” Reyla’s pleading gaze met mine. “His enemies are mine. They allied themselves with Kinart’s murderer.”

“But—”

“She will wed him.” My aunt sat up, staring forward at nothing. “Reyla must marry him. ”

I rushed over to her and took her hand, but she didn’t look my way. Color pinkened her cheeks, however, and her body no longer trembled.

What did you find when you examined her? I asked Vexxion.

Nothing. She started waking before I could cast even one spell.

“She must marry him,” my aunt intoned once more. “This, I see.”

A foretelling. Shivers tracked across my skin on needlelike claws.

I walked back over to stand beside Reyla, taking her hand. “We don’t need his fleet of ships or warriors that badly.” Actually, we did. Dragons and riders were not enough. I knew it in my heart, but Reyla . . . I sent her a pleading gaze, whispering. “Don’t do this.”

Stay here with me, I wanted to shout. I need you.

Her chin lifted, and she locked her gaze on Lord Dultrette’s. “I’ll do it.” Reyla turned my way. “I need to do it and not just because your aunt is stating it’s my destiny.”

“Please, don’t,” I croaked, feeling as if she was leaving me already.

Reyla’s devastation-filled eyes turning Vexxion’s way. “I’ll need more magical lessons before I leave.”

“I’ll help in any way I can.” He strode over and took her hands. “You don’t need to do this. Someone else can go instead.”

“I came to fairie for a change, and while I found it, my past keeps following. I still see him everywhere, feel his touch on my cheek, his mouth on mine. Maybe when I ran, I didn’t travel far enough. Evergorne Court could do it. ”

“You’re sure?” He cupped her face, his thumbs stroking her cheeks. “Take time to think about this. Lord Dultrette can wait until the morning to return with our answer.”

Her chin lifted. “I said I’ll do it.”

“I’ll fight the world for you, little sister,” Vexxion said. “I’ve ached to bear arms in your name from the moment I met you.”

“It’ll be alright.” She gave him the sweetest smile. “Come see me. Please. Don’t make me be the one who has to travel to you all the time.”

“I promise.”

If this turned into a horrible situation, she’d leave. My friend was strong. She wouldn’t allow anyone to hurt or control her.

With a nod, she stepped away from him, facing Lord Dultrette again. “When does he want his bride?”

“Your agreement is sufficient for now.” He rose to his feet. “I’ll inform him that we have an agreement.”

“If he’s anything like one king I know, I’ll gut him before the wedding night,” she said fiercely. “If he behaves, I’ll treat him decently. I can’t make any promises other than that.”

“Yes, err,” Lord Dultrette said. “I’ll tell him that,” he frowned, “Reyla, the Lydel Court Enforcer—”

“And little sister to the Beast,” she added. “Don’t forget that tiny detail.”

He jerked in his breaths as he flicked his gaze between her and Vexxion. “That . . . That means you’re, err . . .”

Reyla scowled. “Unfortunately, yes. I don’t claim him as my father, however.”

The lord bobbed his head a couple of times. “Yes, well, err. I’ll tell him Lady Reyla of . . .” He swallowed hard. “Weldsbane Court, that is, has agreed to his, err, kind offer.”

Reyla snorted. “He might want to meet me first.”

“I’ll share your physical description with him, naturally,” Lord Dultrette said smoothly, quickly recovering his poise. He dipped a bow my way. “High Lady? With your leave, I’ll, err, flit to him with your answer. The sooner his ships arrive, the better. And may I say that I’m not the only one who is loyal to Lydel. When I return, I’ll speak with those who’ve remained hidden. Riders. Lords and ladies prepared to join you in this vital fight.”

“Thank you,” I said.

With a nod, Lord Dultrette flitted from the room.