Page 74 of A Bargain with the Fae King

“No, it’s not repulsive,” I reply. Truth. His power is somewhat terrifying, otherworldly for sure, but not repulsive.

Riven pulls me to him, and I go, almost tripping over the hem of the gown. He holds me close, but not enough to upset Karin’s careful work. A little thrill zips through my blood when he places a kiss atop my head.

“Be confident,” he says. “Do not let any of them intimidate you.”

Easier said than done, but I nod all the same.

“It will help me if you look happy to be here.” His voice softens. “If, say, you look at me like you did last night.”

Heat creeps down my body in a slow wave to settle in my stomach…and lower. I bite my lip and turn away. “Is that really necessary?”

“It would make a statement. To Sigurd and to my court.”

The reference to his court brings to mind his talk of spies from a few days ago. Is he any closer to discovering who it is? So many people grasping for power, within his own people and without. No wonder he’s determined to put on a show.

“Consider it. And be wary of Sigurd. He likes to play games,” he adds. “But either way, I have something for you.”

I turn back in time to see him fish in his coat pocket and pull out something that shimmers in the light.

Riven holds a necklace up between us by either end of a golden strand. A large emerald hangs in the center. My eyes widen at the glittering gem. Holy shit. That stone alone could have paid my college tuition.

“May I?” he asks.

A squeak that may have been a yes slips out.

The heavy stone settles around my neck as he clasps it in place. It complements the bracelet Solona gave me, which I still wear at all times.

I catch a glimpse of myself in a tall mirror.

This is the finishing touch, the missing piece I didn’t know was missing but completes the startling transformation I’ve undergone.

Riven’s satisfied smile in my periphery doesn’t hurt either.

“Now.” He extends an arm to me. “Is my lady ready for the ball?”

Chapter 24

ThethroneroominArbrean resembles the one in Virideria in size. However, more stone than plant life comprises its structure. Trees still interweave with the walls, and the roof opens to the sky, broken only by the spiderweb pattern of limbs and leaves. But the ground is smooth, white stone, unbroken by plant or stream. Two sets of double wooden doors, smaller than the ones at the entrance but no less grand, adorn either side of the room. A wide, white marble throne, big enough that one man can have his legs stretched wide and still not taken up its width, sits on a dais near the back as the focal point of the space.

Riven sits on that throne, a wine glass in one hand, the other curled around my waist. His cocky, amused, and playful demeanor is firmly back in place. It’s the mask he shows his court, who he believes a nest of spies, and the one he’ll show to Sigurd when he walks through those doors with his entourage any minute now. I hated it the first time I was here—when the man I’d come to care for had vanished to be replaced by a twisted version of himself.

Though I can’t help but wonder if it’s really an act or just another side of himself that he brings out to suit his needs. I hold in a sigh and pray for the former.

I lean against the crook of his shoulder. One arm reaches across my body to toy with his shirt so I appeared draped about him. To all the court in their riot of colorful outfits, I’m the besotted, silly human, enraptured with their leader who’s claimed me in word, if not yet in body.

And damn if they don’t believe it. Their smiles, whispers, and giggles are proof enough. It’s weird, to be such an object of fascination, but I’m thankful to be safely at Riven’s side rather than down in the midst of numerous fae who would literally trip over themselves for the honor of touching my hand or snagging a strand of my hair. Their desperation for humanity and whatever it can offer them is…a lot.

For the moment, they’re appeased.

Their king has conquered and won—claimed a human to ensure their magic will slowly return as I reside with them. It should be hard to act this way, to make the courts of Forest and Air think I’ve fallen head over heels for Riven, thus strengthening his reign.

But it’s not all an act.

Though I surely can’t call it love, I care for Riven and his people. Maybe not these idiots staring at us, but at least the few I’ve spent time with.

Riven’s hand rubs a lazy pattern on my hip through the fine lace of my gown. Between our planned ruse, his hands on my body, and myself all over him, it’s entirely too easy to forget where we are. I don’t have to fake the gentle sigh that escapes my lips or the heat rising to my cheeks. Pretending not to care for the male next to me would be exceedingly more difficult.

The doors creak open in a groan of wood. A hush falls over the room as conversations halt midsentence.

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