Page 91 of A Hunt So Wicked
Belinda and Torin were already up there, waiting. Scowling. Each step toward Torin felt like a death sentence. A betrayal. A trap.
I took my place and looked out at the crowd. Kael was drinking more water, and someone had given him a dinner roll, half of which was already missing. Ero looked oddly calm, despite the scandal that had just publicly unfolded. And Dair? I couldn’t look at him. Not now.
Torin stepped before me once again, and I wiped my still wet cheeks and kept my eyes pinned on the floor.
“Miss Evie,” Torin said, more of a growl this time than a purr. “The Volos Kingdom welcomes you. Will you accept my offer of marriage?”
This wasn’t happening. Surely, it was a dream. My heart raced faster than the beating of a hummingbird’s wings. I could deny him… but Riv’s words floated in my head.
“This is a game, be smart.”
And then Corvus’ whispered warning… if I was going to do this, I wanted to be in control of my own mind. I was already being forced, I’d be damned if my last piece of independent thought got stripped, too. I’d be of no use to anyone that way.
Denying him would humiliate him. More than he’d just been at the reveal of a bastard, one who was older than him. He’d be enraged. He’d want revenge.
“Answer me.” His voice cut through my thoughts. A demand with an edge of warning, sharper than any blade. I had to see my father again. I had to do this.
“I will,” I choked out.
Torin grabbed my wrist and wrapped my arm through his, forcing me to let him guide me down. He didn’t speak, just stood beside me as Dair was called upon. I didn’t know if he looked my way as he went to propose to another woman.
“Look at him,” he said, emotionless.
“W-what?”
“I said, look. At. Him.”
I shook my head, and Torin squeezed my hand tightly. I winced.
“You will watch. You will accept this.”
Tears built as I raised my eyes and found Dair standing before Belinda. She smiled at him radiantly. Why didn’t he choose Riv? Or any one of thefourother options?
“She is for him. You are for me. Do you understand?” Torin whispered into my ear, his voice cold as ice.
Dair escorted Belinda down the stairs and they stood together, a beautiful pair. I didn’t understand why it hurt so badly. Why it felt as though my heart was shattered within my chest. How would we ever be able to put a stop to this now?
“Kael, you must ask one of the ladies. We won’t make you walk up there,” King Ero said for everyone to hear.
“I’ll come to him.” Riv piped up, not waiting for Kael to confirm she was his choice. I loved it. The last four women did not.
Kael looked up at her and reached for her hand, no sign of the bread he’d been eating.
“What do you think, Rivvy baby? Want to marry me?” Kael winked, making Riv laugh.
She held her free hand to her chest and swooned. “I thought you’d never ask.”
Horns began playing the anthem of our realm, one that we all knew. A tune that was supposed to incite feelings of pride and belonging now triggered new emotions for me. Betrayal, fear, and disgust.
“Excellent!” King Ero shouted when the horn carried out the final note. “The Choosing Ceremony is complete. We will begin making travel plans to return to our kingdoms. There are weddings to plan! The evening is yours to enjoy.”
All the kings disappeared from the room in a rush, no doubt to discuss the outcome of the selections and, of course, Kael. I slipped my arm out of Torin’s, eager to get away from him. I needed to be alone. To think.
As I passed through the crowd, I saw a few of the new couples getting acquainted. Dancing, hugging, and some even kissing. My face was so warm it was a wonder I hadn’t erupted into flames. I took a different route, spotting a doorway in a corner. I had no idea where it led, but that was the least of my concerns.
Pushing through the door, my eyes widened when I entered a room that was really more of a gallery. Plush white carpet and banners from the Sova Kingdom adorned the walls, along with rose gold ornate frames that held intricate paintings.
I jumped when the door opened and revealed my new fiancé.
