Page 176 of The Nightmare Bride
Olivian’s glare turned murderous. His fingers flexed, practically glowing with the need to strangle me. “And just what on earth possessed you, girl? What in seven hells were you trying to accomplish?”
I flashed my teeth. “After reading Eliana’s letter, you really have to ask?”
He started toward me, violence in his eyes.
I dug my heels in, even while I wondered if I should run. What was I going to do, fight him bare-handed?
Thankfully, Olivian stopped mid-stride, his attention shifting past my shoulder. I turned, expecting empty space, or maybe a particularly provocative torchier, but a bare-chested prince filled the doorway instead, his breeches slung low on carven hips. A sleepy smile clung to Kyven’s lips.
He looked...gorgeous, so much that yesterday’s hate came crashing back like a punch to the gut. Then I saw what he held.
My dagger.
He offered me the weapon, hilt first. I snatched it, my loathing muddling to something indefinable.
“I figured you’d want that.” Kyven winked. “Seeing as how someone in this room soundsverycranky, indeed.”
For long moments, no one spoke. Olivian used the silence to smooth the rigid cast of his shoulders. “Ahem. Your Highness.”
“Seneschal.” Kyven’s smile played at a smirk. “Good morning. I’m prepared to accept congratulations at any time.”
“I’d offer them,” Olivian said tightly. “But it seems there’s been some...confusion.”
“Ah, yes.” Kyven eyed me. “For which I apologized last night. Though I can do it again, if your daughter would like.”
“Notthat,” I whisper-hissed.
Olivian’s eyes narrowed, but he didn’t pursue the subject, thank Zephyrine. “Your Highness, it’s only...I have to be sure. Which of these women did you marry last night?”
Kyven’s brows rose. He glanced from me to Amryssa and back again. “Which of these women? Surely you’re joking?”
“No.” Olivian’s patience was already fraying. “Who was it?”
“Well, if you’d attended your own daughter’s wedding, you’d know, wouldn’t you?”
At Olivian’s glower, Kyven relented, though he was very clearly enjoying himself.
“Why, her, of course.” He gestured to me. “The Lady Amryssa.”
The seneschal spat a gravelly curse. “Except that’snotthe Lady Amryssa. That is.” He pointed at the bed.
The evergreen smile dropped from Kyven’s face. “The... What? No. That can’t possibly be your daughter. She looks nothing like you.”
“I think I’d know my own child.”
Kyven studied Amryssa, dubious. “Is she even old enough to marry?”
“At twenty-seven,” Olivian growled, “I’d say it’s past time.”
The prince absorbed that, then turned to me, bewildered.
I inhaled until my lungs threatened to burst. Maybe this would be the spark that finally lit the fire. Kyven’s false cheer would burn away, and I’d unmask the monster, right here in front of everyone.
“Is this true?” he said.
I cleared my throat. “It...is.”
“But...if that’s the Lady Amryssa, then who’re you?”
