his eyes sparkling with something dangerous.
“No, not this time,” he frowned. “It seems there was an attack on one of my strongholds bordering my lands. The witches holding it have asked for you, or they will attack more keeps, killing more people until you are on your knees before the High Queen. They’ve openly declared war on you, demanding your life for the lives of anyone who isn’t on the side of their queen.”
“What?” I gasped, shaking my head.
“You were with me, and I know you weren’t communicating with anyone while in my arms last night, Aria. They’re using old tactics because you’re new here.”
“Ilsa’s going to murder people unless I surrender?” The heaviness in my chest caused my stomach to somersault. “Then, I will surrender, kill her, and end this now.”
“The dark witches are using tactics they’ve employed over the past five hundred years to lure you in. You won’t surrender because your death doesn’t end this war, and I won’t chance Ilsa getting her hands on you. You’re much too powerful. I need your answer to what we spoke of inside the room. I need it before we reach the stronghold, Aria.”
“I told you I would marry you,” I whispered, and my words caused the hall to go silent as people turned to listen.
“You said you would marry me, but you also asked me to release you after the war, and that isn’t possible. In our world, marriage is forever, Little Monster. There’s no divorce, and I wouldn’t do it, anyway. If you marry me, you do it intending to be my wife and no one else’s. In the Nine Realms, it is until death do we part. If you agree, Aria Primrose Hecate, you will always belong to me. I will be yours as much as I can, treasuring the gift you’re offering me. I can’t promise you the things you want from a husband. I can’t do that with you or anyone else. I can promise that you’ll never go hungry, and I will always protect you. That’s my vow to you. That’s what they left of me when they took my son and ripped my heart from my chest.”
“So what you’re saying is that you’ll make me a sandwich and hold me at night? I don’t need your protection. I’m not some damsel who needs saving. I’m the fucking dragon who eats prince charming and picks my teeth with the bones of my enemies, King Karnavious. I asked for you to be faithful in the public’s eyes and not murder my family. Give me your word that they won’t be hurt, and when I am in heat, you handle that need without making me endure the pain it creates. I’m not naïve. I know the longer I hold out, the more painful it will become until I am mindless with need and bordering on insanity. When I am in heat, that need is primordial brutality trying to achieve the end goal. I don’t want anyone else to handle my needs, Knox,” I stated without wavering, my eyes holding his with the intensity of my words.
“I agree with that, but on the condition that your family doesn’t murder innocent lives. If they do, I won’t be able to sway the other lords from their course against them. I am the High King of the Nine Realms and the King of Norvalla. My promise as High King was that any witch who inflicted harm to the Nine Realms would die by my hand without question. When you are in heat, Aria, I will gladly handle your body’s needs, and then some. I promise never to leave you wanting or needing any other man. Satisfying you won’t be a hardship by any means. I will hold you in my arms as you sleep. When you fall, I will be the strength that picks you back up, fixing your surprisingly familiar crown.”
“It’s a family heirloom. Which I know you’re well-acquainted with, considering what Hecate wanted from you,” I snorted, glaring at him.
“Loren has a loose tongue, which I should probably tie up or cut off,” Knox stated coldly, turning to stare at Lore, who watched warily with the others. Lore winced as I replayed what Knox had called him over my head.
“Loren? It sounds almost girlie,” I whispered, hearing him groan at Knox.
“Does dumb-shit, Loren, get dumb prizes,” Knox snorted. “Tighten your lips, brother.”
My eyes slid through the group, noting the unease that played amongst them. They listened to