Page 65 of The Beast King's Bride

The Empress is coming because of me. She wants to see if I can help Talen, if I will help him. He wants us to present a united front, to show her and his people that this could work. Because if the Empress thinks I’m not interested in helping, then…

Then what?

Something bad will happen, it’s my guess, otherwise the king wouldn’t have been so adamant about my presence. What is he fearing might happen?

He had seemed… tired during our spat—the spat I incited so that I could run from him—but I can’t think of that now. My heart seems to be breaking in two already, just from seeing him, talking to him.

From hurting him.

I stop in my tracks, replaying the scene in my mind, seeing his face again when I had spoken those words—when I’d said “did you think I’m staying until the moon is full because I like it?”

That emotion in his eyes—I can see it now, recognize it. It wasn’t anger or indignation, it wasn’t fear or defeat, it wasn’t guilt or mere disappointment.

It was hurt.

Hurt.

Such a human emotion, I always thought. The tales portray the Fae as pretty much emotionless, cruel ancient beings only interested in causing harm and laughing at our weak human struggles.

I didn’t expect the king—Talen, I mean Talen—to be like this. Thoughtful, sensitive, his reactions familiar and…

Stop it, Ash.

Sheedra is gone by the time I get back and that’s for the best. I can hardly concentrate on squiggly letters after talking to the king. The threat of tomorrow’s ball is hanging over me like a sword.

What should I do? Put up a fight? What will happen if I betray the king and don’t appear as docile and happy as he wants me to? Do I want to risk it? Do I want to cause the Empress to harm him and his people? Jassin and the others are nice. Talen… Talen probably doesn’t deserve her punishment.

But what if it helps me escape? Sure, Talen promised I can go soon but can I trust him? Won’t he change his mind if he still thinks there is any chance I might save his people?

Whereas the Empress… Letting me go would be in her interest. If I’m gone, no more cure.

Unless she kills me to make sure, of course. Can I risk it? What do I know about the games of the Fae?

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