Page 34 of The Beast King's Bride

“You’re not a prisoner!”

“You’re all so strange,” I say, clenching my fists. “First, he insists he didn’t kidnap me, now you insist I’m not a prisoner. And yet he brought me here against my will, and the door is locked.”

He sighs. “His majesty only wants some time.”

“Some time for what?”

“To tell you about his kingdom, the Decay, the Empress… about everything that has been happening here.”

“Forcing me to listen to him by abducting me and locking me up isn’t a solution.”

“Would you have listened otherwise? Would you have known?”

“Besides the fact that your argument is flawed and doesn’t excuse taking me, I don’t know if I can help you, Jassin. I think there has been a mistake.”

“Give him a chance, my lady Ash.”

I have no intention of doing so. I turn to look at the door and he backtracks, blocking my way. “Jassin…”

“Please, my lady. He’s not used to being nice to others.”

“And that’s supposed to garner my sympathy?”

He sighs. “Have your soup. I have a favor to ask of you right after.”

“Really. You don’t consider me a prisoner, you keep me here to give your arrogant king another chance, and you want a favor to top it off?”

He shrugs thin shoulders. His pointy ears twitch through his blond locks.

I sigh and sit down to eat. “More soup, huh? Did you cook again?”

“Soups are the only thing I know how to make.”

“Will you tell me at least why the cooks leave at nighttime? In the human world, a king’s cooks never leave the palace, they cook day and night to prepare lavish meals for the royal family.”

“Well, here…” He looks away as I take the spoon and start on the soup, suddenly ravenous. “Here too, normally.”

The soup has an earthy flavor I can’t place. It’s not bad, though. The bread and cheese are excellent. “In fact, when we arrived last night, nobody except for you seemed to be about. Why is that?”

“Oh, um.” He fidgets with one of his sleeves. “No reason. It must—”

“Does it have to do with the curse?” When he flinches, I know I scored a hit. “Is the palace cursed at night? Is it the wild animals the king mentioned?”

He looks like he wants to deny it but can’t. “Yes,” he says.

I turn my attention back to the soup. “You can’t lie, can you? The Fae can’t lie.”

“Common Fae cannot lie. Ash—”

“What is this soup made of?”

“Toad bellies and worms.”

I shove my chair back, almost falling over, and clap a hand over my mouth. Jumping to my feet, I rush to the washing basin and retch.

“It’s a delicacy here,” he says, sounding affronted. “What’s the matter?”

“Are you making fun of me?”

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