from the betrothal, he still considered her his possession.
Until now, he’d simply fantasized about the moment when he’d kill Ruben of Teslinko. Now, he knew with certainty the other man would have to die sooner than he’d originally planned.
And—his heart began to race as savage joy filled him—so would Willow. She deserved a slow, excruciatingly painful death. She’d betrayed him with the foolish human prince.
As he pondered the best way to commence, he gazed at his older brother. Eric truly wasn’t fit to sit upon the EastWard throne. Maybe he’d have to kill Eric and Tatiana, as well. He’d be doing the world a great service.
A massacre, much easier to explain when he was the only witness. He could always say they’d been set upon by a band of renegade Shadows who were deeply unhappy that King Drem had acknowledged Willow as his offspring.
Decision made, Chad began to plot the where and how. This was all part of the fun. So much so, the temptation to drag it out would be great. But this time, he couldn’t afford to wait too long.
He’d do it on the way back to SouthWard. Perils of the journey and all that. The trick would be to keep Eric and Tatiana in the dark.
Rubbing his hands together with glee, he backed out of the banquet hall and returned to his room to plot and plan and pack.
* * *
King Drem listened quietly as Ruben expressed their plans to leave. He turned to Willow and held out his hand.
Taking it, she felt a surge of fondness.
“I promise to visit more often,” she said, smiling even though her eyes filled with tears.
He kissed her forehead lightly and then released her. “I’ll hold you to that promise.”
Chest tight, she nodded. Though she’d only known him a short time, she truly would miss him.
“I would also ask you to consider marriage to one of my people,” he said, surprising her. “We have many fine young men to choose from. Such a marriage would go far in repairing the chasm between our two people.”
Instinctively she glanced at Ruben and caught him glowering at her father. His harsh expression softened as he met her gaze, but he did not protest.
King Drem laughed. “So that’s the way it is. I understand.” Waving away her sputtering attempt to protest, he laughed again. “I’ll have the kitchen prepare some supplies to take with you. Now go and shades speed.”
Face flaming, she ignored Ruben as she turned to go. He caught up to her when they’d exited the room.
“Are you all right?” he asked gently, taking her arm.
She shook her head, going with part of the truth. “I’m going to miss him. It’s difficult to finally locate my other family and have to give them up so soon.”
He kissed her cheek, making her smile reluctantly.
“I still stand with what I said. If you want to stay here longer, I can come back for you after I find the murderer.”
“No.” She’d started shaking her head even before he’d finished speaking. “We’ve already covered all this. I’m not leaving you.”
Pulling her close, he simply held her. She wrapped her arms around him and placed her head on his chest, loving the solid steady sound of his heartbeat.
Just being so close sent desire, slow and sweet, cascading through her veins. Though she knew she could seduce him with a look, she realized they all needed to be rested for the journey ahead.
Pulling away, she feigned a yawn. “I don’t know about you, but I’m turning in early so I can get a good night’s sleep. You really should consider doing the same.”
And she left him, hurrying off before he could see how her entire body quaked.
Only when she’d reached the corridor leading to her room, did she slow down. Fumbling with the handle to her door, she realized her hands were shaking so badly she could barely function.
She wanted him, but more than that...
She loved him.
She loved Ruben. With every fiber of her being, heart and soul and mind. She wanted to spend the rest of her life with him by her side. And she didn’t even know his last name.
Once inside her room, she let herself sink slowly down onto the bed. She didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. How Tatiana would chortle if she knew—which she wouldn’t. No one must ever find out, including Eric and Chad—especially Chad. The man her parents wished her to marry.