Page 37 of Apples Dipped in Gold

And just when I was decided, a rapid clink broke us apart. I turned to find the dwarf from earlier tapping a spoon against a glass.

“His Majesty wishes to speak!” the dwarf declared, continuing to hit the goblet so hard, I thought it might break. Soon, he had drawn everyone’s attention, and still the goblin king looked at me.

“Fae-kind,” announced the old elf king. “The goblin king has chosen a bride!”

There was a mix of quiet murmuring and applause as everyone looked around in an attempt to guess who among them it would be.

I thought my heart might burst from my chest.

“It seems though that he is not alone,” the old elf king said, drawing out the sound of every vowel in every word. “And another is vying for her hand.”

A noise came from behind me that sounded a lot like a growl, then Lore stepped in front of me to block me from view.

“There is no competition,” said Lore.

The goblin king stepped forward. “You know the rules, cursed prince. If you want to lay claim to my intended, then we must duel to the death.”

I could not tell what I was more shocked by—that things had escalated to death so quickly or that these two were now arguing over who I belonged to.

“If you want to duel to the death, I am happy to oblige, but it will not be for this woman. She is already mine.”

“Silence!” said the old elf king. “Intended, what say you? Which of these fae do you belong to?”

“Neither,” I said, though I wondered if I had made a mistake, given what the fox had said about leaving betrothed tonight. “I belong to no one.”

“If you belong to no one, then someone must take you,” said the king.

“That is ridiculous,” I said.

Another round of gasps, louder this time. I spoke over them.

“I am allowed more than two choices,” I said.

“More than two? You want more than two men?” The old elf king’s brows rose almost to his hairline, which had receded nearly to the middle of his head, though the crowd did not seem so opposed to that, their gasps morphing into more of an agreeable hum.

“I do notwantanyone,” I said.

“But you are wearing white,” said the old elf king. “And you have apple blossoms in your hair.”

I reached for the crown and pulled it off, tossing it to the ground.

The fae gasped, offended once again.

“What I wear says nothing about what I want,” I said. At least I did not know it when I put on the dress or the floral crown.

Finally, there was silence after I spoke.

“I like you, mortal,” said the old elf king. “If you will not choose a suitor, then you will reside here with me.”

“Your Majesty—”

“You desired a third choice, and now you have it,” said the old elf king. “Now, who will you choose?”

“This is obscene,” said the fox. “This woman cannot choose between you three.”

“And why not, Fox?” asked the old elf king. “Do you want to throw your hat in the ring?”

There were laughs, but they did not last long, for the fox spoke quickly.