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Wren hated herself for it, but she smiled. His dry humor would be the death of her. “I’ll regret that I did not possess a dagger during that dinner for the rest of my life.” Her gut churned as she thought over his words. “The king is a pig.”

“As are most men,” the prince commented. “But you’re not leading a crusade of hate toward them.”

“He is a murderer,” she snapped back, feeling exposed.

“Do you seriously intend to be so vicious to him, knowing you’ll end up in here every time?” Arrik asked, waving a hand around at the cell. “His words don’t matter. Just ignore him.”

“His words holdpower,” she countered. “How could you expect me to stay silent when he was speaking so ill of my people, of me? Why did you…” She closed her mouth, halting the flow of words.

The prince’s expression shifted as he watched her. “Say it.”

Wren glared at him. “You did nothing. You swore to protect me and yet here I am in the dungeon.”

He cursed. “You acted rashly before I had a chance to. While my situation is precarious at times, yours is far worse. I told you that I could only protect you if you obeyed me.”

“Like an animal,” she sniped.

“You crossed a line tonight, Princess.”

Wren crossed her arms over her chest. “Do notPrincessme. I have had enough of all your false politeness. It is clear what your family thinks of me—what youallthink of me—and I do not intend to put up with it. If you will not defend me, then I’d rather spend my days rotting in here.”

She expected him to scoff at the suggestion that he would defend her against his own kin, especially after the blank look on his face during dinner while his brothers were insulting her, but, to her surprise, Arrik sighed, then got to his feet.

“You are correct,” he murmured. “Truly, they were shameful tonight, but I cannot protect you from my father if you will not listen to me. I am trying but you are still fighting against me.” He glanced away, his jaw ticking in anger. “You’ll have to spend tonight in here, but I do promise to keep you from the worst of my brothers’ ire and stupidity in the future.”

“We do not have a future.”

His attention snapped to her, and he stepped into her space, towering over Wren. The prince leaned closer and ensnared her with his eyes. “We are bound, you and I,” he whispered. “Our futures are more entangled for every moment that passes.” Her breath hitched as he brushed the tip of his nose against hers. “It’s inevitable, but I know you. You need to be in control just like me. I can wait for you to choose.”

“I won’t choose this. Choose you.” It felt like a lie, but she desperately wanted it to be the truth.

He cocked his head. “Wife, the choice has already been made.”

Her hands shook but she kept her head held high. “I refuse for this to be my future. There has to be more.”

The prince nodded. “There is but only if you stick with me. All you have to do is take my hand.”

She swallowed hard and looked away. “I need to think.”

He nodded slowly and backed toward the door. “A wise choice.” He paused and asked hesitantly, “Is there anything I can get you to make your night more…comfortable?”

There was nothing Wren could say in response to what Arrik had said. Just like when he had explained to her that he was, in fact, the firstborn son, Wren knew in her heart that he was speaking the truth. He had not wanted his family to insult her. The blank expression on his face had been a mask.

And yet the prince was still her enemy. He was the man responsible for destroying her family and her kingdom. Rowen was dead because of him.

A small kindness from him now meant nothing.

But Wrendidneed something from him.

“Some lamb, if you would,” Wren said, glancing at Arrik from beneath her lashes in an act she hoped came across as reluctant but necessary. “I did not eat much at dinner.”

“You never eat much at dinner.”

“That’s because I do not like the food here!” she fired back, getting annoyed despite herself. Arrik’s eyes found hers, and she saw that he had genuinely softened at her comment.

“That is another error on my part. What would you like to eat? Is it the way it’s cooked?”

“Roasted on an open flame. Rare, if possible.”