Page 31 of What did you do?

“Okay, fine, then. I suppose a marriage isn’tnecessary for you to be impregnated,” the queen suggested.

“What? Oh, god no! I thought you’d be upset at what’s inside of me now,” I said, grabbing my pounding head. “Instead, youwant Aurelius and I to—to make a baby?” Was there a possibility I was still in the hospital with brain damage?

I wouldnevermarry Eli for a position as a Seelie royal. Of all the people in the world, he was the only one I cared about not hurting.

Eli’s sharp eyes snapped to mine, his light-brown eyebrows so high they nearly blended into his hairline.

“It’s as if the old gods have rewarded us for the horrors we Seelie have endured,” Saracen said, tilting her chin up slightly.

She moved with a smile as she grabbed both mine and Eli’s shoulders like a football coach about to share a play, lightly pushing Tarani out of the way in the process. Her touch sent a truly odd sensation of excitement down my arms and up my neck.

“Aurelius, you will marry Calypso, solidifying her as a Seelie royal. We will then claim the Unseelie throne, as Calypso still carries rank as partial Smoke Slayer. Aurelius will likewise take the Seelie throne as king, thus combining the realms under our control.”

Fuck!

Eli and I both recoiled slightly as we looked at each other with wide eyes. Rage bubbled in the back of my mind, but it felt different, out of place even, next to the fear I was really feeling.

“No. I will be empowered as a Seelie royal once my heart is restored. That was the agreement,” I snapped angrily.

Everyone’s eyes snapped to me, taken aback by my angry tone.

Fuck. I was ruining this.

Eli jumped in. “Hello, Calypso! So lovely to have you in Seelie with us. Would you like a tour? Perhaps some weird tea? Oh, gee, look at that, you have the devil’s powers! Let me force you into an arranged marriage with my son!” Eli said sarcastically. “She is a person, Mother. She is special without this horriblesmoke and not a tool to level you up. I haven’t even seen her in some ten years! Nothing more than letters since she was eighteen and you barred my entry.”

In the few minutes since Eli had arrived, my last bit of smoke had settled, aside from a few small, translucent tendrils from my fingertips.

“You and I both know, as a SunTamer, you were always going to have an arranged marriage. Would this not suit you more? I could think of worse pairings than your best friend, Aurelius. Especially when she looks as yours does.” The queen winked at me with a laugh.

“I’m sorry and I mean no offense, Saracen. You have done so much for me, but I will not be marrying anyone. I am not a prized heifer at the auction house. Eli should take the throne and find another bride ofhischoosing.” Why did the thought of him marrying someone suddenly sting? “The Smoke Slayer effects—I would hardly call them powers, as fogging up a room seems the most I am capable of—will all go away once I collect the remaining half of my heart. I’m certain of it. Which—that will be soon, right?” I held the queen’s gaze and my own breath.

I was so close. So close to being whole again.

Saracen matched my stare for a beat before answering with a smile that didn’t meet her eyes. “Yes, of course. We will host a ceremony, allowing me to return your heart properly and for all of Seelie to recognize your allegiance and witness your title change.” Her soft voice dropped. “Once your heart is fully restored and whole, we will provoke you.”

“Provokeme?”

That could be a big problem. Thoughts of how Saracen would provoke me until I used my powers caused a worried shiver to slither down my spine.

“If you show any sign of the Smoke Slayer powers after the return of your heart, then you will be married to Aureliusin front of everyone.” Saracen’s eyes sparkled. “Unfortunately, the Seelie realm has no place for such a powerful Artemi as a wielder of dark magic, unless you are to become a part of the monarchy. The Artemi are far too dangerous to be independent from a royal court. Their ability to absorb another’s powers and leave them a powerless mortal is unforgiveable in the eyes of all fae, and that is only one of your gifts.” She paused, as if challenging us to interrupt, but no one dared, not even Tarani. “If, as you so confidently claim, the Smoke Slayer powers are nonexistent after rejoining your heart, then you will continue to live under our roof as an associate of the royal family with ourfullprotection. I hope you understand I’m doing you a grand favor with this deal.” She removed her grip on our shoulders with a beautiful smile.

“But…that wasn’t the deal! I need to be a Seelie royal, not an associate!” I yelled.

Everyone looked at me, but no one spoke.

Eli’s eyes were like a closed book—filled with untold stories. My eyes snagged on his soft-looking lip. I wanted to bite it—badly.

The fuck was happening today?!

A very low growling sound reverberated from somewhere.

I rubbed my arms, shaking away the goose bumps that had suddenly covered my body.

“Aurelius, darling, take the poor girl’s bag and show her to her room in the east wing. She must be exhausted, and I’m sure you two have a lot of…catching up to do.”

Saracen smiled coyly, looping her arm around Tarani’s shoulders before the princess pulled away and stomped toward the door ahead of her mother. The queen paused for a moment to glance back to where Eli and I remained, staring at each other as if we were strangers.

“Actually, I’ve changed my mind, Aurelius. Take her things to the north wing. You two will have the entire section to yourselves. Calypso, I’d like to meet with you in the gardens tomorrow evening to discuss a few things,” she sang, slyly smiling at us before following Tarani out the doors.

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