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“If the Crimson kingdom concedes the land they stole from us, then we will consider not declaring war,” King Luren spoke.

“Land that we took back because you broke the peace treaty between us in order to steal it in the first place,” Crimson’s king answered back. “We will do no such thing. It has been nearly three hundred years. It’s time to move on.”

My eyes shifted to Cassius when his black eyes flickered at me. He held my gaze without any sort of emotion, his cold indifference shielding whatever he was thinking. It made a shiver run through me.

“We will give you the land,” Cassius said, making his father pause. My father’s interest was piqued. “You can have the land if you give me Thea.”

My darkness vortexed inside of me at his offer. But it wasn’t upset; no, it was happy. It wanted my father to hand me over. My eyes were locked on Cassius. I could feel his longing for me as he watched me.

“Thea belongs to me,” my father snapped. “The only way she will go to Crimson is to put an end to your bloodline. If you want to continue this war talk, then so be it. You will not, cannot, win against Cerithia's forces.”

“And what of Kizar and Cerithia’s war?” King Sybrien asked.

“It’s done,” Jesper spoke. “We have come to a mutual agreement fit for both kingdoms.”

The other kingdoms were clearly surprised by this information. Whispers spread like wildfire through the men. I could feel Jesper touch my hand and went to pull away from him, but he gripped me to the point of pain. Cassius’ face finally broke from cold indifference at seeing the touch. Anger nowcoated his handsome face. Jesper pulled me down so he could speak to me.

“If you make a scene, I will destroy Exile and everyone still in it.”

My chest tightened, and my mind was slowly retreating from all the hateful comments I wanted to spew at him.

“What agreement?” someone called out.

“A marriage bonding our two kingdoms in power,” King Luren smiled directly at Cassius and the Crimson Kingdom. “Jesper and Thea are to be wed soon.”

Crimson’s king stood up from his seat and glared. It was just then that Cassius’ shadows burst from him, and he headed straight for Jesper but stopped before reaching him. Disgust filled me at the declaration. I did not want to marry Jesper. Turning toward him, he gave me a look filled with warning.

“You cannot be serious,” the King of Crimson snapped. “That’s low even for you.” He was so angry that it caught me off guard, but I saw him looking at me with pity in his eyes when he said it.

Meanwhile, Cassius’ anger filled the entire room we were in. My darkness fought to escape when it felt his emotions. All the kingdoms frowned at the scene unfolding. Cassius closed his eyes tightly, as though he were trying to compose himself. When he opened them again, they seemed to be staring right at me.

Jesper pulled me into his lap and wrapped his hands around me. His mouth brushed my ear as he chuckled so softly.

“Look at Cassius right now and tell me that isn’t worth all of this.”

Cassius looked devastated.

“He may have stolen you from me, but it's my bed you will sleep in, my surname you will take, and my children you will bear.”Like hell I would.

“You make it sound as if he cares about any of that,” I replied. Jesper’s eyes narrowed, but he didn’t respond.

I tried to stand, but his arms gripped me tighter into him.

“If you make a scene, you will lose everyone in Exile,” Jesper hissed at me. It immediately doused my fight. “That’s right, Thea, Sybil, and the twins can be saved if you put on a good show.” I didn’t fight him. “Good, now kiss me,” he whispered.

I turned toward him but paused.

“Or I’ll send my spy to slice off Cassius’ head, then the rest of your little friends over there.” I knew Cassius would have Jesper in pieces before he could do anything. But I still had to put on this show because the safety of others depended on it. I now had a reason to behave, and that reason was to get back to Exile.

I leaned forward and crushed my lips to his. He gave me a low moan of approval and deepened the kiss. This felt so wrong. I didn’t even close my eyes as Jesper kissed me—all for show. He pulled away, and I turned forward. My blood bond caught fire as soon as my eyes landed on Cassius, and I had to smother the flames on my sleeve. Cassius’ eyes were closed tightly as his shadows swarmed around him. His hands balled into fists at his sides as he turned from us. I could see the rapid rise and fall of his shoulders. His father was saying something to him.

“We heard the prince of Crimson is also in the works of a marriage,” the King of Cerithia smiled directly at me. “Princess Flora of Falgon?”

My eyes shifted to Cassius, but he didn’t look at me. My heartbeat echoed loudly in my chest as I waited to hear if he was marrying someone else willingly.

“Cassius does not wish to be married at this time, and we in the Crimson Kingdom value choice and free will.” He was clearly making a jab at my father. “Why are you starting rumors of Cassius looking for a wife?”

“You value weakness, King Ryland,” he snapped back, but said nothing about the rumor allegations.