Page 149 of Cursed Evermore

When you'd lived for as long as I had, fought and won countless battles, you picked up certain strategies and tactics that became second nature.

The idea of an informant—a traitor—and the rebels having several leaders struck me while I was at sea. It made sense because nothing else did. Sometimes, when you couldn't put the puzzle pieces together, it was simply down to the fact that you would never be able to. Such was the case here. It was the same with Father's murder and the disappearance of the ring. The fact that it had taken me five years to find a lead confirmed everything.

“We have to be extra careful,” Dreynthor said gravely, his cold eyes narrowing.

“More than ever. The rebels are growing and getting bolder, so we have to be ready for whatever they throw at us next.”

“If there is more than one leader, how will we contain that?”

“I think they're still answering to one voice. Whoever started the rebellion in the first place. That's who we need to find. Cut off the head, and the body dies.”

He nodded. “I'm pleased to see how quickly you've worked on this matter.”

“Of course.”

He sighed, steepling his fingers on the table, revealing the deep scar along his forearm he'd received in the last war. “With that said, I believe the idea of a union with Thalyrius matters now more than ever.”

Marriage.

Fucking bastard. Every discussion we'd had over the last few months had ended with him trying to slip in constant prompts for marriage.

“Last time we spoke, you didn't give me a real answer.” His smile was too sharp, too easy—the smile of a male who thought he held all the cards.

“I did.”

“You told me to go fuck myself.” His brows snapped together. “That was not an answer.”

But I still meant every word. “Marriage is not the only viable solution to this mess. If I find the rebellion's leader, that should fix everything.” So would finding the ring, which I hoped to do first. “What kind of kingdom are we if we can't contain a bunch of rebels?”

“Wolfe, even you can agree that these Fae are not simply a bunch of rebels. The last piece of leverage we have is control over the sea trade routes. Doing everything you've suggested toprotect the people and a marriage bond with Thalyrius ensures that protection. We'd have control over the majority of the seas in the world. The rebels would have no other choice than to bend the knee or die if Thalyrius stops trade with them. Please tell me you understand that.”

“Of course, I can. But that's just a temporary solution. You don't know how long it may work for, and the problem of entitlement to the throne would still remain. Others would still challenge the Nightblade family’s right to rule.”

“It wouldn't be as problematic as you think. There are also those loyal to both Galaythia and Thalyrius who would welcome such a union. It makes perfect sense in every way.”

“I won't be forced to do anything I don't want to do,” I said through gritted teeth, my voice deadly quiet.

The fire popped just then and my shadows flickered with the flames, writhing across the vaulted ceiling high above us like living things.

Some people wore their hearts on their sleeves. I chose wrath, and I'd never been one to control it, even before the curse transformed me into something darker.

Dreynthor's gaze flicked to the gathering mass of darkness around me, but instead of showing fear like most would, he smiled. The bastard smiled because he knew that no matter what powers I had at my disposal, he was still the one holding my leash.

“We all need to do things we don't want to do at times. Even by force,” he said, his voice smooth and certain.

“What in the hells is that supposed to mean?” I kept my tone sharp and clipped, though rage was building in my chest like a storm.

“It means I hold the power here. You need to remember that. In a situation like this where our people are dying, you fight with everything you've got, with no exception.”

“You make it sound like a union with Thalyrius isonlyabout our people. As if you don't stand to gain substantially from Thalyrius' wealth and legacy ifIdecide to marry one of their princesses.”

The shadow of worry snuck into his eyes, but it was only there for a moment. Long enough for me to take it as a small victory and see that I could still rattle him when I wanted to.

“Personal benefits are small things when you look at the bigger picture.”

“Do not speak to me as though I'm a fool.” I could see straight through him like glass. “If I married a princess of Thalyrius it would break the inheritance cycle we've always lived by. Marrying her would transfer bloodline loyalty to Thalyrius. Our throne would weaken with every child born of their name and Galaythia would never have a king.”

“I’m fully aware of that.”