Page 139 of A Cursed Son

He snorts. “If only. There’s a gigantic gap between what I want and what I need.”

“And you’ll never tell me.”

“There are things I can’t. You know that.”

All his mysteries. Maybe he can’t really mention certain things, but it might be an excuse. Still, I don’t want to confront him now. Not after everything. “The fae who tried to kidnap me, how did you know they were from the Crystal Court?”

Marlak shrugs. “Clothes, manners. And they have to be my brother’s dogs.” He rubs his eyes. “Speaking of dogs, what did Azur tell you?”

“That no torment lasts forever.”

Marlak rolls his eyes. “Perhaps this was their way to try a gallant rescue.”

Rescue. It makes sense. “Tarlia said my master hadn’t given up on me.”

“I know. I heard it, remember? But he can’t go back on his word.”

“The king can’t go back on his word. My master…”

“True.” He clenches his fist. “But he serves the king. And we had a deal.”

“Perhaps they’re willing to return whatever trinkets you gave them.”

He huffs. “It doesn’t work like that.” He pauses then, his dark eyes on me. “Would you go back? If your master found a way?”

“I don’t know.” I swallow. I really don’t know, or perhaps I don’t want to confess I don’t want to go. My own answer terrifies me, but I shrug. “Would there be a good reason? And I don’t think it’s possible. What’s the point of dealing with improbabilities? Would you turn into a tree if presented with the possibility?”

He frowns. “Well, no. Who would do that?”

“Would you fly if someone offered you that magic?”

He’s still frowning. “I would wonder about the cost first. Wife, there are answers for things.”

Great. I’ll ask him then. “Would you want me to leave?”

His eyes get wide and a little maniac. “That’s not even a question. You think I gave away the Shadow Ring for you, just to see you go?”

Shadow Ring. The freaking Shadow Ring.

My breath leaves me. My thoughts and heart stop, then I blink. “You. What?”

24

Marlak shrugs, looks away, and mumbles, “I told you I gave them some trinkets.”

“The Shadow Ring. That’s not a trinket.” I’m still in disbelief. “You gave the Krastel King the Shadow Ring? That’s why he agreed to our marriage?”

“I had to give them something. What did you expect?”

“You said I was traded like a cow, Marlak.”

He raises a finger in the air. “A cow, not a chicken. Have you checked the price of a cow?”

I want to slap him, but instead, I clench my fists. “You told me you gave them some cheap trinkets, clearly implying I had no value, and you were lying.”

He raises an eyebrow. “No. I said they traded you for cheap trinkets. You think a stupid ring is worth more than you?”

“It’s the most powerful magical artifact in the world!”