Page 119 of The Fae Girl 1

Mira shook her head, getting up from the couch and stared out the window.

I looked at Ridley, narrowing my eyes.

If he’d hurt her I’d gut him and the consequences be damned.

“My father has ordered me to finalise my marriage.” He said.

“I don’t understand.” I replied.

“To who?” Nela asked. I glanced at her. Clearly she reading this situation better than me.

“Lida, daughter of the Earl of Malb. Our marriage will unite two of the oldest families in the land.” He said like he didn’t give a damn.

“But what of Mira?” I said. “I thought...” I bit my tongue realising that not only had I said too much but it was also none of my business.

Except Mira was my friend. And by the sounds of it Ridley had used her. Had pursued her knowing that they’d never truly work. That it was just a fling.

“A Lord cannot marry the daughter of a farmer.” Mira half whispered.

“That’s not it.” Ridley said turning to her. “You know I don’t have a choice. My father has had this marriage in the works for years.”

“So why did you lead Mira on?” I snapped.

“He didn’t. He didn’t mean to. We both knew it couldn’t last.” Mira said. “I just thought it might last a little longer.”

I scowled. Hating the way she was defending him. He was a cad. A player. And she couldn’t even see it.

“Honest I didn’t. After I met her I couldn’t get her out of my head.” Ridley said.

“So you’re just going to do what your father wants and marry some girl you’ve never met and be unhappy for the rest of your life?” I replied.

He was grown man for fucksake, surely he could tell his father to stick it and marry who he wanted.

“What choice do I have?” He said.

“Would you marry Mira if you could?” I asked.

Mira gasped shocked. Even Nela stilled beside me.

“It’s a fair question.” I said to Mira.

“Of course I would.” He snapped.

“And has your father set a date?”

“He wants it done by before winter comes.” Ridley stated.

“When’s that?” I asked looking between them.

“That’s eight months from now.” Mira said.

“Then we’ve got eight months to figure out how you two can marry instead.”

“Alice.” Mira gasped shocked.

“No she’s right. That’s exactly what we need to do.” Ridley said. “The only girl I intend to marry is you.”

I narrowed my eyes, watching him. If he was just saying that, if this was more lies then I really would gut him. Or better still toss him out the window and let the crows do the work.

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