Page 43 of Within the Hollow Heart

The prince flicked a glance at Etta before saying, “You all seem to have forgotten that Lord Brigham belongs to me.”

CHAPTER21

Nickolas felt the pronouncement like a blow to his midsection. The prince had planned it all along, had watched as Jules had chosen Nickolas and waited for their contract to be sealed.

The curse was broken, but he owned Jules’s husband. Jules and the others moved nearer, surrounding Nickolas in an arc to face the fae guards and the prince. The prince strolled closer.

“You defaulted on our bargain, my lady. Until you pay that price, Lord Brigham will remain in Rivenwilde with me.”

Jules reached around her back and pulled a second thin blade from somewhere within her simple dress.

“No!” Gideon and Nickolas called. Gideon, perhaps, because Jules was now a citizen of Westrende and could not harm the Rivenwilde prince per an ancient dictate but Nickolas because he did not want her to be hurt.

The prince reached forward, and Nickolas was pulled across the greensward, half the distance to the prince. Nickolas fumbled for the ring then remembered he’d given it to Ian. Besides, the curse was broken. Whatever magic it held was likely gone. Which meant he and Jules—and the entire crowd of onlookers—had no protection from fae magic.

Boots hovering just above the tall grass, Nickolas was powerless to do anything at all. “It’s all right,” he told Jules. “You’re safe. You’re free. That’s what matters.” It would be tolerable if he could be certain of at least that much. Whatever the prince did, Nickolas could withstand it, knowing the torment was paid to him instead of Jules.

Jules’s lips parted, her eyes glinting in the strange play of moon and torchlight. “I cannot—” she started, but Etta stepped forward.

“Those are your terms, then?” Etta’s grip flexed on her sword hilt, making no secret of her desire to drive the villain through. “A princess in exchange for Lord Brigham’s release?”

The prince chuckled. “Yes. Only that. A princess for Rivenwilde and you may have your Lord Brigham back.”

“Done,” Etta said. She snapped a signal, and Gideon came forward.

The prince’s brows drew together, seeming more annoyed than confused, and he said, “Jules is married and a mere lady. She does me no good. A titled princess is the price, nothing less.”

“Yes,” Etta said. “We heard. Gideon has the paperwork here. The princess is yours. Lord Brigham is ours. Release him.”

“Lady Ostwind,” the prince started, plainly irritated, but his words fell off as Mireille leaned around Etta to give the prince a friendly little wave.

“Mireille?” Jules said. “You can’t throw her to the—”

Etta hushed Jules with both a reprimanding hiss and gesture.

Jules straightened as if prepared to argue further, but Mireille stepped past them both to face the prince. “It’s me,” she said. “Princess Mireille of Norcliffe. I’m certain you know of my family. Most people do.” She smiled conspiratorially. “I come to you willingly. Though, if you’re agreeable to a small delay, I wouldn’t mind a few days to get my affairs in order before I go. The chancellor was kind enough to draw up a contract, guaranteeing my return so that Nickolas may be released without delay—” She glanced at Nickolas, who by now surely looked as pained as he felt, dangling by magic above the clearing. “I would consider it a great favor to me should you let him down. Not that you owe any favors to me, only that it would be so very unkind to keep him from Jules even a heartbeat longer after all she’s been through. The poor thing.”

The prince blinked.

Gideon crossed the distance to hand him a piece of fine parchment, presumably the aforementioned guarantee, and the prince glanced at it with what could only be aggrieved bewilderment.

“It’s all legal,” Etta said. “By both your law and ours.”

“So, you assume I’ll just—” The prince’s words cut off when Noal cleared his throat. The prince did not even look at the man. “Yes. Very well.” He shoved the contract back at Gideon. “I do not need your paper. I am the prince of the Riven Court.”

He flicked a hand, and Nickolas’s boots crashed to the earth. “Lord Brigham is free.” His lip curled as Jules rushed to Nickolas’s side, then his gaze rolled over the six brothers, the three lords, and Ian, Gideon, and Etta. “It would bring me great pleasure should I never see any of you again.” Shoulders square, he adjusted his jacket, drew up his chin, and met Mireille’s gaze.

He tipped forward in a small bow. When he rose again, he said, “Shall you neglect to call for me, know that I intend to come to collect.”

Mireille smiled in that way that shifted her right eye, not so unlike a wink. The prince regarded her for a moment then turned and walked toward the wall. Noal did not acknowledge the crowd before following, then every fae guard disappeared through the ancient wall behind them.

“Well,” Mireille said. “It looks like I’ll have that adventure after all.”

Nickolas and Jules stared at her.

“Come,” Etta told them. “We can discuss this all once we’re safely outside the forest.”

The chittering creatures that had restlessly observed the goings-on paced more eagerly in the spaces between the trees. Gideon handled Nickolas the sword that had been knocked from him when the prince’s magic had taken hold then glanced at the six brothers, likely wishing they had weapons of their own.

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