Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 90639 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 453(@200wpm)___ 363(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90639 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 453(@200wpm)___ 363(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
Her hair was swept up, the curls held in place by jeweled pins, and around her neck she wore a choker of bloodred rubies that had been in her family for longer than either of us had been alive. Her ears sparkled with the same cut of the gems. She looked every bit the Princess of our species. Royal, beautiful, and so fucking sad that I could smell it on her.
I sent a push of comfort down the bond that shined between us. It was strong, sparkling, and so thick that I couldn’t imagine it breaking.
And yet we had only minutes.
Avi lifted her eyes to meet mine in the mirror, and I swore the agony I felt was echoed in those blue depths. Just hours ago, she’d been in my arms, and now she prepared herself to belong to another. The whole thing was so fucking wrong. It hurt to breathe, to keep myself still as I kept watch over her one last time.
“And aren’t these just divine?” Lady Bianca said, lifting a velvet box for Avianna’s inspection. “Samuel thought they’d be the perfect betrothal gift for you.”
I wished I’d given Samuel poison for my betrothal gift.
“Oh.” Avianna blinked and reached a gloved hand toward the open box, which displayed a necklace that had my jaw clenching. It was…obscene. A thick band of gold crusted with rubies, and every inch or so dripped tear-shaped pendants that had to be thirty carats apiece. “They’re lovely.”
“Let’s get them on!” Bianca stepped behind Avi and reached for her choker.
“Wait,” Avi’s hand grasped for her necklace. “These were my mother’s. They’re important to me.”
Bianca blinked over Avi’s shoulder. “Then I’m sure you can imagine how inappropriate your mother’s jewels would be at your betrothal ceremony to the son of the woman whose throne she stole.” She looked positively aghast.
I inhaled and prepared to tell the woman where she could stick those other rubies.
Avi’s gaze locked with mine, and she subtly shook her head no.
I leaned back against the wall.
“Of course. The jewels are beautiful and I’d be honored to wear them.” Avianna offered Bianca a graceful, practiced smile.
“As you should be.” Bianca beamed and unfastened the choker, dangling it over Avianna’s shoulder and dropping it into her gloved hand. “Today is monumental. You’re righting a great wrong, Your Highness.” She placed the necklace around Avi’s throat and fastened it.
The fucking thing looked like a collar.
“You know, you won’t be needing these anymore.” Bianca gestured to Avi’s gloves. “Such a beautiful tradition to leave your skin untouched. Just think! Maybe the first time you hold Samuel’s hand, a mating mark will appear!”
Nausea rose fast and sure in my throat even though I knew that could never happen. Mating bonds were exquisitely rare, though more common among warrior blood. If fate chose to gift us with a mate—or, in Avianna’s case, imprison her with one—it was only one. Never two.
Samuel had a better chance of winning forty Powerball lotteries in a row than mating Avianna. He might marry her, but she would always have only one mate—me.
“How long do we have?” Avi asked Bianca, her eyes growing even sadder as she took in her appearance.
“About an hour,” Bianca responded. “Maybe two depending on how Samuel is feeling. He was out…celebrating his last night of bachelorhood until early this evening,” she whispered conspiratorially. “I think he’s taking a power nap.”
Good for him. Avianna had spent her last day right where she belonged—with me.
“In that case, do you think I could have the room?” Avianna asked Bianca.
The lady blinked in surprise. “You wish to be alone on such a momentous day?”
“I do,” Avianna answered.
“Well then, as Her Royal Highness requests!” She clucked and motioned all of the servants from the room. She gave me a scathing look as she shut the door.
Then it was just the two of us.
“Where are Ajax and Dagon?” Avi asked, stepping down from her dressing pedestal.
“Don’t do this.”
She swallowed and sucked in a stuttered breath. “Where are they?”
“They’re waiting for me at the front door. Don’t do this, Avi.” I shook my head.
“Hawke,” she whispered, her shoulders drooping.
I pushed off the wall and strode toward her, taking her shoulders in my hands. “Change your mind. There’s still time.”
“As if I could walk away from a treaty an hour before its signing,” she whispered, barely meeting my eyes before dropping her gaze.
“You wouldn’t have to walk. I’d carry you.”
She jolted, her head snapping up. Our eyes collided, the bitter taste of misery coating my tongue. It was all around us, coming off both our bodies so thick it was a miracle that Bianca had cheerfully ignored it.
“I mean it.” I took her chin between my thumb and forefinger. “Change. Your. Mind. I will never force you against your will, but all you have to say is no, and I’ll get you the fuck out of here.” I love you. I couldn’t say that to her, couldn’t guilt her into making this decision, not when she already carried too much on her shoulders.