Page 41 of Within the Hollow Heart

“They’re swans,” Nickolas breathed.

Beside him, Frederick narrowed his birdy gaze.

Nickolas put up his hands. “It is neither here nor there. I only meant I was surprised.”

Frederick’s neck ruffled.

“We must hurry,” Jules told the birds. “Time is nearly up.”

Four of the birds circled the prince, while one drove its beak repeatedly at Noal until he stepped farther back. The fae guard remained on watch a careful distance away, swords at the ready.

“What’s happening?” Nickolas whispered to Ian.

“No one acts against a fae queen” was all Ian said in return. But his eyes stayed on Jules, who had indeed acted against a fae queen’s wishes.

Jules, who was about to overcome her curse.

Mireille and the three courtiers rushed forward with Etta and Gideon, and Nickolas’s throat went dry. There was a rush of introductions from Mireille, explanations about the contract from Etta and Gideon, and hurried arrangements. Nickolas opened his palm, staring down at the ring laced through the fine golden chain. He glanced up one last time at the prince, who stood watching the commotion with a resigned expression. It was done. Jules was safe. She would marry her lord.

Nickolas handed the ring to Ian then turned to go.

Behind him, the bickering abruptly cut off. “Lord Brigham,” Jules called, the sound a bit jostled as if she was shoving through the crowd.

Nickolas stopped, unable to look at her lest she read the expression he was sure was plain on his face. The base of his hand was pressed to his breastbone, he realized, and he dropped it straightaway. “You’re nearly out of time, my lady. Please, do not waste it on me.”

She took hold of his elbow, tugging gently until he looked down at her. She was so close, her dark eyes shining up at him in the moonlight. Incomparable, that was what she was. And Nickolas did not know how to stop thewantingof her.

“Nickolas,” she said softly. “You’re still a lord.”

The knife in his chest went deeper. Surely, there could be little left of the thing that had been his heart. “I’m not certain that’s true any longer,” he answered. “It’s not worth the risk.”

“If it was—”

“But it isn’t. And you’re out of time. Save yourself, my lady. Free your brothers. Please. I couldn’t stand it if—I do not wish you to be unhappy.”

She tugged him around to face her. “You are a lord, Nickolas. Despite all the rest. Your debt has been answered. The records filed with chancery.” At his expression, she explained, “I told you I would uphold my end of the bargain, and I have.”

“You—” He swallowed hard. “What?”

“My kingdom is wealthy.Iam wealthy. I could take none of it with me, but I ensured you and Frederick would be well taken care of, should I have ended up in the hands of the fae.”

Nickolas’s knees felt unsteady, but he had nowhere to sit. Jules’s touch was all he had, and he clung to it with every fiber of his being. “You resolved my debt.”

She nodded. “The Brighams are solvent. You remain a lord. I can do nothing to help free your mother, but perhaps that is for the best.”

A helpless laugh bubbled up from his hollowed chest. “I am a lord.”

“Yes,” she said. “Now, would you—is it possible that you would be willing to—” She wet her lips. “Would you like to marry me, Lord Brigham?”

CHAPTER20

Would you like to marry me?Jules had asked.

Nickolas stared down at her as she waited for an answer, disbelief overpowering his every instinct to shout, “Yes!” But it was no ploy. She was in earnest, and if he said yes, she could truly be his. And he would not be bringing her lower; he would be helping her escape a danger. Jules still had hold of Nickolas, and he slid his hand into hers, locking their thumbs, palms together, so that he might press her fingers to his lips after he carefully, calmly, not at all embarrassingly loudly shouted hisyes.

He’d only opened his mouth to seal the bargain when Gideon’s low voice broke in. “My lady, perhaps this isn’t the best—”

Nickolas glared at Gideon before Jules turned to face the man. Etta, Mireille, and the three eligible lords stood at Gideon’s back.

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