Page 78 of Song of the Dragon Rider
“What the hell?” I ripped my arm out of his grasp. “I’m still sore from the flogging, and you dragging me around certainly isn’t helping!”
“Sorry,” Jacob murmured, “but that’s a royal edict, Arya. Regardless of your personal feelings, you cannot turn it down!” he whisper-shouted.
“I don’t care if it’s from Jesus himself. I’m not marrying Thorne!” I grunted and crossed my arms over my chest.
Jacob’s head ticked back in surprise. “Jesus? Who’s that?”
I rolled my eyes. “Never mind. All I’m saying is that even the immortals can’t make me marry him.”
Jacob's brow furrowed as the seriousness of the situation settled. “This isn't just about you, Arya. It’s about the security ofour family. If you openly defy the emperor like this, it will bring disaster and ruin upon us all.”
I sighed and rubbed my temples, trying to ward off the headache that was beginning to make itself known. “Look, Jacob, I get it, okay? Family, honor, duty—I’ve got the whole historical drama script memorized by now. But let’s be real for a second. You want me to marry a guy whose idea of a romantic gesture is some chests filled with gold and a royal decree from his daddy? That’s not just old-school, it’s ancient!” I didn’t want to bring up the fact that I sorta had a thing with my potential betrothed’s brother, Damien. Not to mention the sordid affair therealArya had with Julian before I landed in Elaria.
Jacob nervously glanced around, then lowered his voice even further. “I know it sounds terrible, but perhaps you can use this to our advantage. If the emperor learns about the depleted mines, then our punishment might not be as severe because you’ll be the crown princess. He might not even punish us at all.”
“Then what? Stay married to Thorne for the rest of my life just so you guys don’t get in trouble?” I asked. “Jacob, I’m not tying myself down to a man just for the iron mines. No way.”
“But Arya—”
“Also,” I interrupted hotly, “I'm pretty sure the emperor isn’t going to let me waltz into his son’s life without keeping an eye on me. There’s a bigger game here, and we're not the ones dealing the cards.”
Jacob sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. “I know, butplease, just consider it. For the family.”
As I looked at him, the weight of responsibility made me weary. For now, I could agree to this asinine plan, but that didn’t mean I was actually going to go through with a marriage. I needed to talk with Damien so we could come up with a plan. “Fine, I’ll play the game. But I'm rewriting the rules.”
A look of relief washed over Jacob’s face. “Thank you. Just... try to be careful.”
“Careful is my middle name,” I scoffed. Striding back towards the gathering, I pretended I was ready to face whatever twisted royal ballet I’d been unwillingly cast in. Thorne was waiting with an unreadable expression on his face. “So, about this royal decree…” I plastered on a fake cheerful smile. “Does it come with a manual on how to be a crown princess, or do I just wing it and hope for the best?”
Thorne narrowed his gaze, almost as if he didn’t believe my sudden change of heart. Good. He shouldn’t.
“Have no worries, Lady Arya. I’ll take very good care of you,” he cryptically replied.
His words made my stomach churn. Was Damien wrong to trust Thorne?
“Oh, I have worries. Lots and lots of them,” I quipped, my smile tightening just a tad. “Like, for instance, is there a return policy on this arrangement? What if one of us decides the other one snores too loud?”
Thorne’s lips twitched, almost as if he was fighting a smile or maybe a growl. “I assure you, Lady Arya, we have the finest soundproof chambers in the kingdom.”
“Soundproof, huh?” I arched an eyebrow. “That's either very considerate or slightly ominous. Should I be worried about what else you’re planning to soundproof?”
Gianna, who had been silent until now, suddenly chimed in, her voice dripping with saccharine sweetness. “Oh, Arya, don't be so dramatic. It's a high honor to marry the crown prince!”
“Is it, though?” I shot back, my gaze flitting between her and Thorne. “Or is it more like being awarded a lifetime achievement award for a movie I didn't even know I was in?”
When everyone glanced at one another in confusion, I knew they had no idea what the hell I was talking about. ButIknew what I was talking about, and that was all that mattered.
Thorne cleared his throat, looking somewhat amused yet perplexed by my candor. “You have quite a spirited personality.”
“Spirited, haunted, you know—tomato, tomah-to.” I shrugged, trying to keep the mood light despite the heaviness settling in my chest. “So what happens now?”
“I’m supposed to take you back to Dragon Valley to prepare for the wedding,” Thorne said. “Our carriage is waiting outside the front entrance. I’ll give you an hour to pack.”
An hour to pack.Pfft.
“That’s not going to work for me,” I said breezily, waving him off. “I need at least a week to gather my belongings.”
Thorne choked on a laugh and looked at everyone in befuddlement before settling his gaze back on me. “Excuse me?”
