by Ana Calin
“Minerva.” I put my hands around her shoulders, trying to ground her somehow, help her accept reality for what it is. “I. Love. Her. And it’s real..”
We hold each other’s gaze for long moments.
“I think we should call our engagement off,” I say, keeping my tone soft. “I know, it’s unprecedented among our kind, we’re pledged to each other, and it’s known around all the supernatural realms. But everybody knows it wasn’t about love between us, it was about strategic alliance. An alliance that you, too, have an interest in. You know it’s best for you and your people to stay.”
She folds her arms across her chest, chin up. “As a matter of fact no, I don’t know that. I’m pretty sure Xerxes would make me an offer, too.”
“I’m sure he would. But if you switch sides, can you imagine living in a world of death and ashes?” I look to the window, to the colorful spring landscape outside. “All this would wilt and die, turn into black earth and ash. The human world, it would become a hell on Earth, and all the other realms would fall one by one. You know that.”
“Xerxes is strong, and has secret allies we know nothing about. Powerful allies. He might win anyway, if the rumors are true about the aces in his sleeve.”
I lower my voice. “Zillard has shown Arielle a secret weapon with which we can take Xerxes down. It won’t be easy to get it, but we hold the advantage.”
It’s a huge deal, but Minerva isn’t thinking with her usual cold head right now.
“Lysander, you pledged yourself to me, we had a huge engagement ceremony to which we invited all the noble families and clans of the supernatural worlds. You promised to marry me, and make me your bonded mate. I will hold you to that promise. You will give yourself to me, Lysander, or I will take all my military and diplomatic arsenal to Xerxes. And no, I don’t care if the world turns to ashes. All this?” She motions to the arched windows that open to the sunny spring outside. “Doesn’t matter to me if I can’t have you.”
Now it dawns on me what changed in the past few months. It was her feelings.
“Minerva, what you feel is obsession. This is sick. I just told you I was in love with another woman, how can you still want me? You’re a beautiful, powerful High Fae—”
“I will have her killed, Lysander, if you leave me,” she cuts me off. “Keep that in mind when you make your decision.”
She looks down from my face to my naked torso, her eyes stopping on the contour of my cock through the fabric of my pants. She touches my waistband, but I step back.
“No,” I say dryly. She grins a sick grin.
“Oh, yes you will, if want what’s best for your love the water nymph. I’m only willing to wait until the wedding, not a day longer.”
“There won’t be a wedding, not until after the war. It would be an offense, to our people and our allies, if we put our attention on that while open war is upon us.”
“True. But think about it, Lysander Nightfrost,” she hisses as she retreats towards the door. “You won’t be able to escape this forever. You will comply and take me as your wife. And when you do, you will make me your bonded mate. That should solve your little love problem. You’ll forget Arielle de Saelaria as if she’d only been a ghost in the night.” She laughs like a lunatic as she reaches the door, gliding out of my chamber, and leaving me with rage in my chest.
She mustn’t find out that Arielle is already my bonded mate, or she’ll have her killed without a second thought. Arielle is no match for Minerva, not yet. Minerva is resourceful, vicious, and has entire armies at her disposal. And she’s losing her mind.
TO BE CONTINUED WITH
THE ICE KING’S SECRET
FEBRUARY 2020
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