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Chapter Twenty
It was the morning of my wedding when we returned to the castle. My nightgown ruined from the ogre’s blood, I wore one of Wicked’s tunics that hung to my knees, my bare feet stuffed into my boots. We made quite a sight as we traipsed into view, my hair a mess and our hands clasped.
“I’ll stay out here,” he said, tugging on my hand as he tried to let go. I held fast and pulled him forward.
“No, I want them to meet you. Properly.”
The welcome we received was lukewarm as we arrived at the gates, my mother so pale she resembled the fresh layer of snow on the ground.
“Where have you been?” she asked, keeping her distance as she eyed Wicked warily.
“In the forest with him,” I said, taking her hands in mine as we both looked at the rogue Fae who now held my heart. “And that’s where I’m staying.”
“What are you talking about?” my mother asked, and I explained everything that had happened as best I could. No one was happy about my confession, but thanks to the decree, they had little choice in the matter. Technically, he had still won.
I convinced them to call off the wedding and to hold the Hunt again and this time make my sister the prize. It was a role that suited her better, and I’d always suspected she’d make a better match with Ellis.
I promised my mother I was still her daughter, but that my place in this life was over. I could tell she didn’t understand as she continually eyed Wicked, who waited for me to gather my things. Maybe in time, they would come to see what I did.
As he stood in the corner, a dark smear of black in the luxury of the palace, I smiled. It only made him look more regal. A hint of the prince he’d once been, forged by the wildness of the forest like an untamed spirit who’d finally broken free of its chains.
We hadn’t talked about what came next, but I would go with him anywhere he needed.
When I’d packed everything, Wicked picked up the overstuffed bag and slung it over his shoulder.
“Rowan,” Margaret said, throwing her arms around me. “Why are you doing this?”
I touched her cheek and smiled. “I can’t pretend to understand how things ended up this way, but trust me when I say I’m happy.” Ellis watched us both, his eyes flicking to my sister, and it was then I knew what I’d always suspected.
The circumstances of our birth had promised him to me, but that had never been what either of us truly wanted. “Margaret,” I said, holding her hands in mine. “I want you to be happy, too.” I looked at Ellis and she followed my gaze before I whispered in her ear, “This works out for all of us, I think?”
As my sister and my oldest friend looked at each other, they realized what this meant.
“I’ll miss you,” she said.
“I’ll see you soon.” She nodded, and Ellis came to stand beside her. “I hope you’ve been practicing your hunting,” I said to him, and he huffed out a small laugh, his eyes shifting to Wicked.
“I might need a few pointers,” he said to the strange dark Fae who waited for me, his hands full of my clothing. I smiled at them both as Wicked’s brows drew together, a crease forming between them. He dipped his head in acknowledgement, and then gave me a look that begged us to please leave now.
With one last round of goodbyes to my family, I followed him out of the castle and into the winter air. We traipsed into the trees, and Wicked stopped, spi
“This is your last chance to change your mind.” His shoulders tensed as though he was really expecting me to turn around and leave.
I stepped closer, pressing myself against him, and arched on to my tiptoes. “Where do you want to go first now that you’re finally free? Find your brother and take back what should have been yours?”
The corner of his mouth ticked up as he looked out to the horizon and then back to me. “Maybe someday, but first I want to experience more than this fraction of a life before I’m embroiled in a war I probably can’t win. As long as you’re with me.”
I smiled at him. “Anywhere. Everywhere. Always.”
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