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"Then yes, I will take you to see your sister." I engulfed her small, warm hand in my own, sealing our agreement. I felt the usual exhilarating pull of a bargain, but this time it felt strangely hollow.

CHAPTER 32

The Stolen Bride

Iwas a maelstrom of swirling emotions. I was relieved to know the Fae King’s secret. I was worried about my family and kingdom. I was aware of my own personal safety in a castle where disappearances were happening.

Mostly I wondered what this meant for us. I understood why Forrest had kept this secret from me. It was deadly. It had the power to topple kingdoms and destroy lives. By sharing it with me, he was burdening me with the knowledge of what hung in the balance.

But I also couldn’t help but wonder… Was his unbroken curse the only reason I was still here? Had it weighed on his mind when he decided to save me, stroll with me, send letters to me, and kiss me? And what about what had happened in the hot springs? Had that just been a delightful bonus for him? Did he care about me or just my usefulness as a potential curse breaker?

If the curse was lifted today, would he still want me? A foolish human with the lifespan of a goldfish. I couldn’t help but feel a little betrayed.

Still, what if he freed me from our bargain right now? What would I want? Would I go home? I wasn’t sure.

I shook away these thoughts. I simply didn’t have time for them.

The one thing I was always sure of was my duty. Whether it was pleasure or pain, I would marry Forrest and become his queen. I would try my hardest to break his curse regardless of the toll on me. I would do it because it would make my family and my kingdom safer. And that was what I had been born to do.

There was one hour until our departure for the Full Moon Revel, and I hadn’t yet dressed. The gown I had commissioned was waiting on my bed—white with threads of silver moonlight embroidered in, a semi-sheer bodice, a flowing skirt, and soft white feathers adorning the low, sweetheart neckline. It reminded me of an ethereal bird.

I’d commissioned the dress for him. I’d imagined his green eyes filled with mirth when he saw his “little sparrow” in a gown adorned with feathers. I had imagined us laughing together as he pulled me into his arms to dance like we had on our date. I had imagined us happy.

But right now, I didn’t feel happy.

It was a beautiful dress. Perhaps, the most beautiful dress I had ever set eyes on. But I couldn’t wear it, not tonight. Not after everything I had learned.

Instead, Rosie helped me into the sleeveless petal pink gown with the flower-petal shaped bodice in iridescent lavender and pale greens. I wore matching petal green high heels, glamoured for comfort. It was a pretty spring night. This dress would be nice.

But not perfect.

Forrest led me down hallways and through doors until we arrived at the castle’s largest courtyard. It was an expansive garden with a large open center, surrounded by marble pillars and open to the sky. The scent of blooming night jasmine drifted on the warm breeze.

The moon was magnificent and full, casting its glow down on the scores of partygoers. There were fae of every kind here—royals, wee folk, will-o'-the-wisps, redcaps, wind sprites, dryads, and others I couldn’t name. All here to celebrate my false union with the Fae King.

Forrest grasped my hand and pulled me into the center of the faerie circle. Every head in the courtyard turned, and every set of eyes was on us. All conversation stopped. Even the wisps floated serenely above us, glowing in a current of blues and greens like the tide. I quickly forced my eyes downward, lest I be entranced by the sneaky little blighters.

Forrest raised our joined hands in triumph. "Friends! Welcome! I am honored by your presence as is my beautiful bride to be. You know I am not one for elegant speeches. Instead, I say eat well, drink well, and love well!" On the last two words the crowd shouted along, and suffice it to say, the word they used was not love. Forest snickered at my scandalized facial expression.

Then he swept me into his arms and dipped me into a dramatic kiss. I was caught off guard by his sudden proximity, drawn in by his heady scent of pine, mist, and sea, overwhelmed by his kiss. His tongue parted my lips, searching, and I couldn’t help but react to his longing. My mouth opened, welcoming him in. He pulled back a minute later.

"Let the revel commence!" called Forrest.

And so it did.

The crowd cheered, clapped, and stomped. This was nothing like the quiet, dignified gatherings of my own kingdom. This was raucous, and it had only just begun. What would it look like when the fae had begun imbibing?

"Are you ready?" he whispered. "Hold on tight, and I’ll make sure you don’t get lost to the dance. Unless you want to, of course."

I had heard tales of humans who joined the faerie circles and danced until their feet bled, until they collapsed of exhaustion, or until they died.

I gave him a thin-lipped smile. "Yes, dearest."

He narrowed his eyes ever so slightly. "Is something wrong?"

I didn’t reply. There were too many people watching, and this was above all a performance. The king didn’t disappoint them. He reached his arms around my waist and pulled me close. We twirled and spun. It was only moments before others joined us. The wee folk joined hands and formed a dancing ring around the perimeter.

After some time, we paused and made our rounds with Forrest introducing me to important guests here and there—several members of his advisory council, a redcap captain of the guard, the radiant queen of the sun court, and more.