Page 2 of Married By Treachery

“Six former brides beg to differ.”

Lee’s gaze fixed on the Bear Prince. “Those six former brides were not trained as you are.” His gaze flickered back to her.

Behind them, their father, Laban, cleared his throat.

Raquel and Lee quieted as their father stepped around them and moved to intercept the royal procession.

“Remember what we discussed, and do not be too eager. Patience is your greatest ally here,” Lee whispered in final warning, and then followed after their father.

Raquel sighed, gathered her skirts, and strode after them as more townsfolk slowly assembled to watch an exchange that many had witnessed before, seven years ago. And seven years before that, and so on and so forth. It was the only time that the People of the Forest could pass through the veil, and forsomereason they always traveled to Harran to select a bride for their beloved (and hairy) Prince Edom. The oldest of Harran remembered the first bride from forty-two years ago.

Raquel marked the seventh.

It was an agreement between their peoples for reasons Raquel still did not understand. Of course, she understood those reasons onHarran’sside: a mortal bride in exchange for immortal protection, and Harran had enjoyed that protection from neighboring kingdoms for as long as Raquel could remember. But what mortals had to offer the Forest kith of Canna, no one knew with any certainty. There was speculation, of course, but as far as Raquel was concerned, six young women had been taken from their village, and Prince Edom kept returning for more.

He’d offered no explanation except to say that if the people of Harran wanted to continue enjoying the Forest kith’s protections, Harran would hand over what was owed.

Last time, it had been Lee’s betrothed—a young woman Raquel had grown to love like a sister.

This time, it was Raquel.

To be fair, Raquel had begged Harran’s elders to choose and sendher. Without any vocal competition, save her own father—and Lee, until she’d explained her plan—the elders had unanimously agreed. Raquel vowed she would be the last, and Lee had aided her relentlessly with that vow.

“Prince Edom,” declared Hamor, Harran’s premier, as he and the four elders lay prostrate before the Bear Prince.

It was embarrassing, really.

The crowd followed suit, including Lee and her father, to Raquel’s irritation, until Raquel alone remained standing.

The Bear Prince’s dark gaze landed on her and narrowed to a blade’s point. Raquel dropped to her knees but did not drop her gaze, not even as little pebbles bit into her kneecaps through her skirts.

Something sparked in the Bear Prince’s eyes, and he drew his steed to an abrupt halt at the center of the square. His kith fanned out behind him, eyeing the crowd with the disdain of the elite. They looked entirely out of place amidst Harran’s dusty, sepia palette, these creatures from another world.

“You truly honor us this day, Your Grace,” Hamor continued like any respectable sycophant. “It has been many years since last we—”

“I would take that which is owed.” The Bear Prince cut him off. He had a deep and commanding voice. One that was used to being obeyed, and one that held little patience for those who did not obey.

The wind stirred through the pines, there was some shifting within the crowd, some covert glances as the people searched for the offering Hamor and the elders had chosen, and Raquel’s father started to rise.

Raquel rose faster. “I am here, Highness.”

The Bear Prince’s gaze carved into her. Wind howled, but the Bear Prince did not move—did not seem affected by it, though it tugged strands of Raquel’s long golden plait free and pulled them across her face.

And then the Bear Prince dismounted.

It was a swift motion, as imperious and sure as his voice, and his heavy black boots landed firmly upon the soft earth.

Raquel could have sworn the air shuddered.

The Bear Prince’s gaze never left her face as he strode powerfully forward, a conqueror come to collect the spoils of victory. Wind made a maelstrom of his wild brown tresses, and his coat billowed behind him. He did not wear the rich greens and golds of his kith. His coat was the dark brown of his hair, the color of damp earth and tree bark. A visual rebellion to all class and decency.

The Bear Prince stopped one pace away, and Raquel forced herself not to shrink. Not to shrivel or cower, which was unusually difficult because up close, the Bear Prince was as large as any actual bear. He even smelled wild, and something feral burned in his dark eyes.

Those eyes raked over her body, head to toe. “You?” he said with sneering dissatisfaction.

Almighty as her witness, the only thing that stayed Raquel’s tongue was the mission ahead of her. The one Lee had helped prepare her for.

Still, in her periphery, she saw Lee’s hand twitch.

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