“Unless it is marriage to a monster,” I said. “Then it is merely captivity.”
There were a few murmurs from the crowd, quickly silenced by Adrian’s reply. “If you will not agree, then we will have war,” he said simply.
“A battle I will gladly fight!” my father shouted, getting to his feet, and a few members of the crowd cheered along with his declaration. His words were visceral, and I knew he meant them, even if I also knew he would die, and it was that reality I could not face.
How had I suddenly become the prize to be won in battle?
“Father—” I started to speak but was silenced.
“Isolde, leave. Immediately.”
The arms of the guards at the exits rattled as they hoisted their weapons, and the lords and ladies who had crowded into the hall began to scream and murmur, pressing into the walls.
This could not happen. It would mean slaughter. Commander Killian had come around my father’s throne, his hand taking my arm before I jerked away.
Why was he always touching me?
“I will not be dismissed!” I said.
“Princess—”
“Your princess wishes to speak,” Adrian said. “Let her.”
The last two words were spoken with warning. My heart was still racing, adrenaline surging through my blood. I looked to my father, whose watery blue-green eyes were desperate.
Don’t, he begged.
I have to, I mouthed. As much as he did not want to lose me, I could not lose him. I could not lose our people. I’d wanted to be their queen to protect them, and I still would, but not in the way I expected.
I turned to Adrian, taking a step toward him. I could feel everyone in the room stiffening, tightening their holds on their weapons. The tension was already a battle, and the phantom smell of blood permeated the air although none had been shed yet.
Still, I held the Blood King’s gaze, focused on him so completely, it was as if he were the only person in the room. The longer I looked, the easier it was. It helped that he was beautiful, but I also became interested in things I shouldn’t, like the bow of his lips and the faint scar over his cheek I had not noticed earlier.
I refused to take a breath before speaking, fearing it would sound more like a shudder. “King Adrian, if you maintain you will protect my country, my people, my father, then I will agree to marry you.”
Adrian’s lips curled, but it was a smile that did not last long when Commander Killian protested. “My princess, you can’t marry this monster! I won’t let you!”
Adrian scowled. “You won’t let her?”
“Quiet, creature. You are a curse upon our lands!”
The commander drew his sword, and the guards followed.
I turned, facing Killian, blocking Adrian. It was not a smart decision. I did not know Adrian, he was the enemy, and I was giving him my back, but I could not let things progress.
“Lower your sword,” I seethed. He glared at me, his fingers tightening around the hilt. “Now!”
My command echoed in the hall.
“I will not see this land covered in the blood of my people. I agreed to King Adrian’s terms.”
“You forget, Princess. It is your father who rules here and rules your fate.”
I glared at Killian before shifting to look at my father, gaze softening. “I love you, Father. I would never willingly leave you, but you know this is the right decision. You know because you made it before Revekka was on our doorstep.”
I knew what he was thinking—that was before he wanted you.
“I am one person,” I said. “I am not worth a slaughtered kingdom.”
“You are worth every star in the sky, Issi,” my father said, and for a moment, my heart sank. Would his declaration of war follow? But instead, his gaze lifted to Adrian. “My daughter has a habit of ensuring everyone else’s safety before her own. I trust among those you protect, she will be one.”
I turned to face the Blood King. I wanted to look upon him as he answered my father. For the first time since he arrived, he bowed, placing a hand over his heart as he answered, “I vow it upon my life.”
His words surprised me, and I had to admit, I didn’t believe him. I narrowed my eyes. What was his motive? Why me?
“Father, I would like to speak with King Adrian alone.”
“Absolutely not.”
“Do you doubt my vow?” Adrian said.
“You are an enemy, you have slaughtered thousands of our people, and you have just asked for my daughter’s hand in marriage. You will forgive my wish to protect her for as long as possible.”