A Kingdom of Blood and Betrayal (Stars and Shadows #2)(52)

I waited as all three of them left the small courtyard that had felt more like home to me than almost anywhere else. My hands trembled as Evren stared at me. Neither his anger nor his magic had calmed, and I could feel them reaching for me as if I was the only thing capable of settling them.

“That invitation means nothing.”

His gaze darkened at my words and his fingers dug harder into the invitation. “You think threatening my mate is nothing?”

“I think that his threats don’t matter. I am your mate, and I am here with you in the Blood kingdom.” I motioned my hand toward the parchment. “What can that little piece of parchment do?”

“It will instill fear.” He stepped closer to me, and a chill ran down the markings along my spine. “When news of this spreads, it will instill fear in my people and in so many people who remain in the fae kingdom. They will fear war and the possibility that Gavril could gain power over both kingdoms.”

“The fae kingdom doesn’t support Gavril?”

“Those people have never supported Gavril or his mother. They have seen their cruelty, and most don’t care that your betrothal will strengthen their kingdom. Gavril needs no more power at his fingertips.”

“Then don’t give it to him.”

“What?” He looked furious as he searched my face, and I realized that this was about so much more than Gavril’s power. Gavril had threatened his mate. He had threatened me. “How do you suppose I do that?”

“We send an invitation of our own.” I straightened my spine and tried to keep my voice from shaking.

He went stock-still as he stared at me. “An invitation?”

“Yes.” I nodded and tried to keep my nerves from rushing through me. “I’m obviously not marrying Gavril, and he just wants to make people believe that. Give them the truth and send an invitation for our own.”

“But you and I aren’t getting married.”

“Aren’t we?” I cocked my head and studied him. “You asked for my hand, did you not?”

“Yes.” He watched me carefully. “And you turned me down. Several times.”

“And I change my mind.”

“Not like this.” He shook his head, and I could see the indecision running through him. “I don’t want you to say yes because of this.”

“It’s not—”

“It isn’t an option,” he cut me off, and my power surged inside of me. He was really and truly angry, but there was also so much worry in his eyes. This was a threat he was taking seriously. “We will figure something else out.”

“I won the bet.”

“What?” He ran his hand over the back of his head as he stared back down at the invitation. With every flick of his gaze, I could feel his power soaring higher.

“Last night you said that if I won then you owed me. Whatever I chose, it would be mine.”

Evren’s gaze snapped to mine, but he didn’t say a word.

“This is what I want. This is what you owe me.” I crossed my arms and hoped he realized just how serious I was. “I want to marry you.”

“Adara,” he sighed my name as he shook his head.

“You said that you didn’t want to force me to do anything. You didn’t want to take my choice, so don’t.” My breaths rushed in and out of me. “This is my choice, Evren, and I choose you.”

He watched me for a long moment before stepping closer to me ever so carefully. His anger hadn’t softened, but there was also desire flowing along his power. His hunger was stifling and almost choked out the rage that coursed through him.

“This isn’t a game, princess.”

“I never said it was.” My own anger spiked. “You are my mate, and I am yours. I choose to marry you, Evren. This was what you wanted before. Why do you not want me now?”

He surged forward, his body slamming into mine, and the invitation was lost on the ground behind him. “Never say that again.” His fingers trailed over my face before cupping my cheeks.

I stared up at him with ragged breaths passing my lips and waited for his next words.

“I will always want you, Adara. I have since the moment I met you.” His gaze ran over the length of my face. “But I don’t want to force a decision out of you because of my brother. That invitation doesn’t mean you need to decide anything.”

“Yes. It does.” I nodded with my head still in his hands. “You and I both know it.”

He closed his eyes as he bit down on his bottom lip, and I could feel his emotions warring in his powers. It was still so out of control, and I didn’t think he realized how much he was allowing me.

“I want to marry you, Evren. I want to be by your side. We will do this together.”

His mouth came down against mine, softly and unsure, and his lips traced over mine as if they were trying to memorize the curve. “I am yours, Adara.”

“And I am yours.”

My chest tightened as the words passed through my lips, and I didn’t know the power that they held.

“I need you,” he murmured against my lips and started backing us up toward the palace wall.

“Shouldn’t we tell the others our plan?” My chest felt tight and my stomach churned. I wasn’t second-guessing my decisions, but I wasn’t sure I was ready for this. This intimacy that Evren was staring at me with.