Page 52 of The Pactbound Angel (The Soul Mirror Duet #1)

A Different Kind of Oath

We were seated at a long table under a silk awning with formal place settings for each of us, which Georgina laughed at. My sister was seated to the right of me while Prince Jaylin took up my left. Ramiren and Georgina sat across, with M.A.L.C.O.L.M. standing at attention behind them.

The castle staff, in full livery, brought out a roasted suckling pig dressed in greens, and the sight made my skin crawl. I shifted in my chair but did not say anything. We are guests, and it is not my place to criticize my host’s table.

But, of course, Prince Jaylin noticed. “Shall I have the servants carve a flank for you? It was prepared especially for you.”

I cleared my throat and smiled at him. “No, Your Highness. I do not consume animals.”

Prince Jaylin raised his eyebrows in surprise. “Truly? That’s interesting. My sincerest apologies, Lady Nathalia. I shall have them take it away immediately.” He raised his hand to a couple of staff standing by, who came forward to take the platter.

“No, Your Highness. It’s fine. Everyone else can, but I will not eat it.” The smell was making me nauseous, but I kept it down.

“Most kind of you. Thank you,” he said with a smile. He reached over and kissed my hand again, bringing out a tight smile of my own. He looked up at me over our joined hands and gave a wink. My cheeks warmed, but I did not pull my hand away. It would be rude in this proximity.

Not as handsome as Ramiren, but only just.

I decided to change the subject. “You wished to talk, Your Highness?”

“Oh, yes, of course.” He gently placed my hand into my lap. “I wanted to thank you properly for saving Wistran from that hag. These days have been dark, but you have brought us back into the light.”

Again with this? It was not just me. “It was all of us, Your Highness. We work as a team.”

His eyes glinted. “Are you always so modest?”

Yes. “No, your hi-”

“Because if I say it was you, then it was you, and nothing can convince me otherwise.” He grinned teasingly, then picked up his glass of some sparkling wine to take a sip.

My thoughts jumbled, unable to tell if he was joking or not.

Either way, it was obvious he would brook no argument from me, so I let it go.

He was, for the moment, a royal patron, and royal patrons liked to have their way.

Looking across the table, my companions fidgeted with utensils, pushed food around, and shifted in their plush chairs.

“Now, I have a gift for you. I understand my father was thankful but did not compensate you properly. I intend to rectify that mistake.” He waved over another staff member I had not seen until now, a human man, who came forward carrying a small box.

Prince Jaylin took it from the man and turned towards me. “This is for you, Lady Nathalia. With my best wishes.”

He passed the small box to me, and I opened it to reveal a large opal necklace inset in gold. My fingers curled around the delicate chain as I picked it up to stare. “Your Highness, I-”

“I know. I know. But only the best for you, my dear lady.”

Through the chain I could see Ramiren focusing on me, or rather the necklace, with a raised eyebrow. The broodling said, his voice emotionless, “A lovely gift, Prince Jaylin.”

Prince Jaylin smiled at Ramiren, “As I said, only the best for her. That is only the beginning, of course. I have jewelmakers ready and waiting to craft you whatever you desire, if this does not suffice.”

“No, Your Highness, it is-”

He grinned happily, a contrast to the warning in his words, “I’d be quite upset with them if it did not meet your standards.”

I cleared my throat and gave him a wan smile. “I love it.”

“Wonderful! Let me put it on you.” He took the necklace from me and unclasped it, then instructed me to turn in my chair.

I did, lifting my hair out of the way. He closed the clasp, and the delicate chain immediately began to cut into the back of my neck with the large pendant anchoring it down.

I turned back and smiled again while my clenched teeth held in a request to take it off immediately.

Prince Jaylin put his arm on the back of my chair. “I long to hear you thank me again. Such a sweet sound.” He sighed. “But alas, you shouldn’t, if you are to leave me.”

The urge to say something, anything, that would convey my appreciation while those two dreaded words weighed on me more than the necklace. “It’s very beautiful, Your Highness. You are most thoughtful.”

Please take this off.

Prince Jaylin sighed again, this time in disappointment, and I sank into my chair. My eyes turned to Ramiren, but he was not looking at me. He was staring daggers at Prince Jaylin.

“Are you alright, Ramiren?”

Ramiren’s eyes flicked to me with a strained smile. “Just fine, Lady Nathalia.”

After our lunch, Prince Jaylin offered to give us a tour of the expansive gardens.

They were even more impressive than Leraska’s grove or the fields on the way to Tanta.

Flowers of every imaginable color lined the paths and walkways.

Trees the color of autumn’s glory swayed in the gentle breeze, though it felt far too warm for the trees to have changed.

He led us to a particular tree where he told us tales of climbing it in his youth, proudly stating he had never fallen from it.

It was at that tree where Prince Jaylin took my hand in both of his.

“My dearest Lady Nathalia, it seems you have beguiled me, and I fear this is my only chance. Royals, no matter if they’re in the Feylands or Laeth, rarely get to choose who they wed.

But the Feylands have what’s called an eluva. Do you know what that is?”

I shook off my shock long enough to say I did not.

“It’s a once in a lifetime boon, if you will.

It means a Feylands royal can claim eluva if they've found their elu. The crack in their armor, if you will. Prince or pauper, it does not matter. I know you are my other, Nathalia. I knew it when I first laid eyes on you. It might not be as intense for you as it is for me right now, as you are not fey. But I assure you, the eluva bond is without equal in love and fidelity once sealed by marriage. So, with that said…” He let out a long, cleansing exhale. “Will you become my wife? My elu?”

My jaw slowly dropped. I should’ve expected the question, the way he was talking. My hand in his. The almost desperate look in his eyes. But the suddenness of it, the abruptness, startled me down to my core.

Though…

Wife. Marriage. Family. Everything I’d ever wanted. He was offering me that. An eluva bond, whatever that was. I’d never heard of it, but I didn’t know Feylands marriage customs that well. I’d have a husband. A loving, devoted princely husband.

But the pact would be done, and Ramiren would leave.

He’d want me to be happy. I could be happy with Jaylin.

Here in Wistran. And I know I could make him happy.

I learned how. He’s not yet my friend, but we have things in common.

We’re both protective and thoughtful. We enjoy a challenging fight.

He is attentive. Affectionate, even. He desires me.

And it sounds like this bond would bind us even beyond a marriage vow.

Maybe this is my best chance. Besides, as Ramiren said, I’m settling no matter what. Might as well settle for a rich, handsome, fey husband who adores me.

I searched his earnest face, then looked over at my companions, who watched from afar but could likely surmise what was happening by context. My sister frowned, talking to Ramiren while he paced back and forth. Georgina looked bored. M.A.L.C.O.L.M. looked like M.A.L.C.O.L.M.

I said, loud enough for them to hear, “Your Highness, I would be glad to accept.” I waited for the joy that would surely come, like I had waited for my creativity to return. And waited.

Nothing. Again.

But my creativity had eventually come. Perhaps this would take time as well.

My heart felt hollow. There was no joyfulness I thought I would feel at such a moment. This is what I always wanted. Isn’t it? This is what I dreamed of happening. So, why do I feel so empty?

“Great. Wonderful. Can we go now?” Georgina yawned. “I have a journey to prepare for tomorrow.”

Raewyn turned heel and stomped away, cursing just loud enough for me to tell the choice phrases she knew. Confused, I called after her, “Raewyn? Raewyn!”

She broke into a run, but I easily caught up to her with a gentle hand hooked into her elbow. “Raewyn, what’s wrong?”

She spun and glared at me, tears flooding her eyes. “Oh, nothing. Nothing at all. I’m happy you’re finally getting what you always wanted. Your one , right?” Her tone was sarcastic and biting.

My hand dropped from her arm as I flinched back.

What is this? I thought she’d be pleased.

I shook my head, my confusion becoming more and more acute the longer her eyes bored into me. “Raewyn, tell me, please . What’s wrong?”

Her voice changed to a harsh whisper so as to not be overheard, “You want to know what’s wrong?

Sure, I’ll tell you, Nathalia.” She licked her lips and looked up, like she was trying to both think of the right words and stop tears from falling.

She enunciated each word as they spilled out of her.

“I can’t stand here and watch you accept a proposal from him.

Which, by the way, looked like the most awkward proposal in history. He didn’t even kneel!”

Taking a step back as my eyes widened, I fully registered what she was saying. My lips opened slightly and stayed frozen, as I also tried to find the right words. “Wha… Where is this coming from?”