Page 103 of The Beast King's Bride

“I was also afraid for you,” I admit. “I couldn’t let them kill you—the monsters or the stones.”

“You’re a warrior.”

“I’m a servant,” I mutter.

“You’re so much more than that. You have a princess’s heart.”

“And what do you know of servants’ hearts, my lord? Don’t you think they beat just as fiercely as those of princesses?”

“I stand corrected.” Talen grins at me. “You…”

“Me, what?”

“You’re better than magic. Better than riding free on the plain. Better than honey and liquor. Better than killing your worst fear.”

“Not sure about how you prioritize but…” I turn my head and he kisses me, a brief press of his lips to mine, a sweep of his tongue, rough like a cat’s, parting them. Stealing my breath.

“I prioritize you,” he whispers. “Give me your hand.”

He takes a ring off his smallest finger and taking my hand, he places it on me. It fits my middle finger perfectly—a band of bright gold crowned with a gem, the horned tyger etched on it—the ring I saw in the office behind the throne room in the days when I had first arrived, the design etched in blue stone, blue like the rock the palace is hewn from, blue like his eyes.

“Thank you,” I whisper back.

“So that you don’t forget me,” he says.

“How could I ever forget you?”

Jassin clears his throat and we both groan. I’d forgotten all about him standing there, and the guards, and the whole world. “Sire, we have an unexpected guest. He has been waiting for your return to seek an audience.”

“Unexpected?” Talen rumbles, looking distracted.

“He arrived without escort, hiding his identity until he entered.”

“Who is it?” I ask and Jassin’s gaze slides away from me.

“Ash,” Talen says, “you sit on the other throne. We can hold audience together.”

“Sire.” Jassin clears his throat again. “You know she cannot sit on that throne unless you bond with her.”

“What if I want her to?” Talen rumbles. “What if I make new rules?”

“Bond?” I whisper.

“A bond would extend your protection to her, would appease the people,” Jassin goes on, bowing. “Make her queen. Extend her life to match yours.”

“What do you mean?” I turn to Talen. “What does he mean?”

“If you marry a Fae, you become Fae,” he says, his face going very still and expressionless, the mask settling over his features.

“Oh.”

“It means you would lose your human nature. If you return to your world, you will be shunned, like us.”

“But it means I can live a long life. With you.”

His smile is faint though his eyes light up with shades of blue. “It does.” He strokes my cheek and his eyes glimmer. “It’s the one thing I would ever wish for, give everything for. To be with you.”

“Sire,” Jassin begins again.

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