Heart of Stone (Rock Star Fairy Tales #1)

Chapter 62

C h apte r 62

Official Alliances

A sh’s mouth fell open. The possibility had never occurred to him that his father would force him into an arranged marriage. He had heard of Lady Iphega, the eldest daughter of the dragon queen Shomentu, but he had assumed the dragon alliance was political, not a marriage. Margot felt the rage in him at such a thing, but she also felt his acceptance, knowing this was the only way for his father to save face.

“What?” he manag ed to say.

See? she thought at him . It sucks when other people determine your choices for you.

This is way beyond that, she heard, but their connection was hard to follow—the bursts of insight overshadowing anything else Ash might hav e thought.

Margot didn’t think it was any different than him insisting she accept a Claim from some stranger. It seemed like exactly the same thing to her, but she already knew what Ash would do, could feel him falling back into his oath.

Really? Margot sighed, trying to use her Claim to pull him back to her, but Ash dug in, resisting her call. Margot didn’t have much experience with Claims, but she hadn’t fought with Larry like this. Something about the Claim with Ash was different.

“But the Claiming?” Alick was speaking now. “The dragons do not share the ir mates.”

Novus dismissed this concern. “The dragons care nothing for Claims, so long as their partner is loyal to them alone.” He gave Ash a look shot with meaning: expectation, threat, desperation. Margot felt it hit home with the power of a lifetime spent trying to please his father. She had never been on the receiving end of such a look, but she could sense the power there, more than just the oath sizzling along Ash’s nerves, forcing his hand. “My son knows his duty,” Lord Novus announced. “When the time comes, he will do the rig ht thing.”

Margot felt the words pierce both her and Ash with a sense of finality, Ash’s will falling before his father’s command, regardless of the cost. Not only would he marry some stranger, but that woman would demand his loyalty, Claim or not. Ash’s hand loosened on hers. Margot could feel the war within him fading as he succumbed to his father, replaced by a deep melancholy she had never seen but should have guessed dwelled within the elusive lea d singer.

“Seriously?” Margot burst out. “An hour ago, you were hell bent on Claiming me. Now you’re just going to cave and do what dadd y wants?”

Ash winced at her words, but he could only sigh. “It’s my duty,” he said softly. “I have to.”

Margot’s rage rose, black and tangled and ugly, and she addressed the fae nobles. “I’m really tired of people telling others what they can and can’t do around here. How about you grow a backbone?” She stared at the three Lords, waiting for a reaction. Kristoff was beaming, certain her latest outburst would force Novus to punish her, and Alick was pensive, but she could sense a hint of excitement. He was very curious to watch it play out.

Lord Novus was angry, a lovely shade of red creeping up his neck as he stare d at her.

She turned to assess the others in the room: her father was watching her, a tiny smile on his face. Because Ash understood the power dynamics in the room, she also knew that Lord Novus was in charge here. Her father had no say in this game—not yet. Not until Lord Novus had finished with them. Lord Rebinus’s face was thoughtful, no doubt running through the possi bilities.

“My son has a backbone,” Novus said. “He will use it to continue his family line and represent the fae among the dragons.”

“What if I don’t want him to go?” Margot aske d bluntly.

“Your wants are of little import to me,” Novus d ismissed.

“Okay,” Margot said, stepping forward and placing herself between Ash and his father. “What if I don’t let him go?” The Lords didn’t like that, and Margot continued, “He’s mine now, right? Claimed. You have no authority at all over him.” She lifted their hands. “We can do whatever the hell we want.”

“That is correct,” Novus gritted, “but you should consult with my son before making such rash declarations. As you have seen fit to Claim each other and break with our laws, you are exiled. No Lord will shelter you. You will be alone.”

“You say that like I should care,” Margot snapped. “I’ve been alone most of my life. Ash and I will be just fine back on Ardon. We don’t need you or your stupid fae laws. We ’re free.”

“Oh yes,” Novus agreed. “You are free.” He looked at Ash. “Why not ask your lover what th at means?”

Margot didn’t need to ask with words. Ash’s mind filled in the gaps—a life of being hunted by other fae, always in danger, never able to trust anyone, never knowing where the next strike would appear. When Margot didn’t understand why that would happen, he reminded her that because they didn’t have anyone else under them, the person who killed them would inherit their powers. Any fae would take a chance to Claim either of them, earning power and freedom in the process.

That’s why he’s considering giving in, Margot realized. This path offers protection … for him. She knew it wasn’t cowardice, but it was the easiest reason to latch onto, something she could resent instead of his loyalty to h is father.

“Okay,” she said slowly. “What about me?” When no one replied right away, she added, “Am I part of Ash’s property now, lumped in as dowry when you marry him off to some stranger?”

Novus snorted. “Oh, no, my dear. The dragons would never ac cept you.”

“Why not?” she demanded, slightly offended.

“Because you Claimed Ashton. They would assume you are a spy, there to report back on all his doings to the fae. It would undermine the treaty.” It was Lord Jasper who spoke, her father explaining the situation s uccinctly.

“This is how you treat your powerful fae?” Margot asked. “Just fuck Margot and leave her al l alone?”

“You are too dangerous to be left alone,” Lord Novus said. “We’ve all tried to tell you! Don’t worry. Someone will take you in as a precaution.” Margot thought that being taken in might actually mean imprisoned in th is world.

Scoffing, she glanced at her father to see if she would find support. He seemed about to speak, but Lord Rebinus beat h im to it.

“Very well. I will accept Lady Margot under my protection,” he said formally.

Her father blanched, and he snar led, “No!”

“You?” Novus exclaimed. “Why would you do such a thing?”

“Because you are selling your son to the dragons, no doubt to plot ways to twist the balance of power. What better way to keep myself informed than through the one who has Claime d Ashton?”

“No!” Ash shouted, hand suddenly tight on hers again. She could feel the fight raging in him again—family and duty vs his desire for her. Family had been winning, but with the prospect of giving her to Lord Rebinus, his brother in disguise, his possessive nature was back in control. “Margot should go with her father.” He glared at Rebinus. “She will not be another of you r whores.”

“Of course not!” Lord Rebinus said, shock infusing his voice as he raised a hand to his face. “I fully intend to m arry her.”