Page 61 of Fake Dating a Human 101

Shayne’s head snapped up.

Meave stood by a willow bush, plucking the soft blossoms off as she watched him. A long, glamourous pink dress swept down her body, fluttering in the cold breeze. She was a being most fairies would find pretty, Shayne supposed. But he wasn’t really into ‘dolled-up’ or ‘glamourous’ or even ‘pink’. He tried to picture Meave in jeans, or in a police vest, or even with messy hair all up in a ponytail.

He couldn’t.

“How long have you been standing there?” he asked.

Meave’s glossed lips shimmered in the sunlight when she smiled. “Long enough to determine that you’re either crazy or brilliant with the way you ramble on when no one’s around.”

Shayne forced a smile. “Let’s go with brilliant.”

Meave laughed. Blossoms sprouted to full-faced flowers when her laughter sailed through the garden. Even the flowers of the House of Riothin responded well to their rulers. Shayne wondered if all his secret agendas would earn him some sort of plant rash if he stayed in this garden too long.

He stood from the bench and reached for Meave’s hands. The female’s fingers were pale and soft; too soft though—like she’d never thrown a punch or worked a long day in her life.

“I came to find you for a reason, Shayne,” she told him.

Shayne’s smile turned as relaxed as he could manage. Deep down, he truly hated that he needed her. She wasn’t all bad, she just wasn’t his type even if he was hers. She also threw ridiculous fits at least once a day that were eye-roll worthy, but not enough to deter him from following through on his plan.

But then she said, “My father has demanded you wed me.” And curse him—Shayne’s smile faltered.

“What?” He didn’t mean to ask it with accusation, but he did.

“He will announce it as soon as I tell him to.” Meave held tighter to his hands. “It’s what you want, isn’t it? And if you’re having trouble with Cosmo, he’ll yield to your authority the moment we exchange vows. You’ll severely outrank him as the husband of the High Lord’s favourite daughter.”

For all his greatness, Shayne could only stare in this moment. Even though this was what he had come here hoping for. Even though the main part of his plan revolved around this very thing.

But perhaps he hadn’t expected to be wedded right away. Perhaps he’d expected to have time to sort out his own feelings first and let a few things go from his heart.

“Don’t you want this?” Meave’s bright expression faded.

Shayne cleared his throat. “Of course.” His tongue hurt. “Of course I do. I’ve wanted this since the moment I laid eyes on you at the gate—you know that.”

“Then why wait?” Meave’s face turned bright again. “I’m running out of time, you know. I don’t want any of my father’s warriors as a husband. I don’t want my father to choose anything for me anymore.”

Shayne released a quiet chuckle. Meave had made it so obvious that she wanted to marry a Lyro simply to stick it to her father that Shayne thought he’d struck gold.

And why wait? She was right. As soon as Shayne was the son-in-law of High Lord Riothin, as horrifying as the man was, Shayne would become untouchable. It would establish a stronger alliance with the House than him simply being present. It would undoubtedly force Lyro to withdraw any threats, and it would solve his immediate, pesky Cosmo problem. Cosmo would keep his mouth shut if Shayne demanded it.

He took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Can you give me three days to think before we announce anything?” he asked. “We haven’t even known each other for two weeks. Three more days won’t hurt us.”

Meave’s shiny lips spread into a bigger smile than ever. “Let me tell you a secret, Shayne,” she said.

“Hmm?”

Meave’s grip on his hands went so tight, it hurt. “Do you know why I want to marryyouso desperately?” she asked. When he raised a brow, she said, “Because you’re the enemy. And once I’m more powerful through the bond of marriage, I plan to throw a rebellion against my father. I plan to take everything he has for myself.” Shayne blinked. He tried to pull his fingers away, but she didn’t let go as she went on, glancing off at the garden like she was in another place. “He’s a ferocious war fae and violent conqueror. But I shall be worse. I will take all the West villages. I will become the High Lady of Riothin whose name is spoken for generations to come.”

A gust of wind rattled the bushes and the whole garden seemed to applaud. Shayne watched in amazement as a subtle shiver shook Meave’s body. As she cringed like she’d smelled something foul in the flowers.

And it was then that it dawned on Shayne that even though Meave was the esteemed daughter of the House of Riothin, she was being repulsed by the House’s magic, too. And she’d been hiding it much longer than Shayne had. Possibly taking cold showers and stifling gags at the scents, hearing dreadful music and dancing anyway.

Shayne finally managed to free himself from her grip.

This female was to be his wife? Someone who wanted to shed blood with her own fingernails?

A rebellion?

A takeover?

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