Chapter 9

UNA

As we approached the doors of our great hall, I pulled my hand free of Gollaya's. I wouldn't be dragged into my own goddess's temple by him. I would walk with my head held high when I faced my brother. I wouldn't have Baelynn see me with fear in my eyes or being hauled like baggage into our home.

As the two wraith fae guards opened the doors, I soaked in the splendor of the Moon Temple, a place that had always brought me solace and peace.

The glass dome of the great hall above us cast a pool of moonlight onto the center of the white marble floor. Within that moonlit circle were inlaid, painted tiles, a mosaic in the likeness of our Goddess Lumera's face—high brow, sculpted jaw, eloquent nose, soft mouth, intelligent eyes.

Stone pillars carved in the shapes of her handmaidens wreathed the wide chamber, their arms reaching up to hold up the ceiling of this hallowed room that served as both a receiving chamber and a temple to honor our most sacred goddess.

At the head of the room were two thrones on a dais, one for Baelynn and I to greet ambassadors and visitors as we had together since our father had become bedridden.

For hundreds of years, the royals of Issos have received foreign ambassadors and nobility of every great house across Lumeria to Skeldos. But never in all the histories I've read had there been a dark fae king and his army standing within these walls.

The room was lined on both sides by Gollaya's Culled, his elite guard. The one striding quickly for us was the one he called Soryn, apparently his second in command. He had four horns, the bases of each encased in decorative silver. His bare wrists were sheathed in silver guards also, decorated in some kind of pattern. His eyes were deep red, and his face was handsome, though his dark scowl was set on me before he looked at his king.

He called loudly in demon tongue, " Veksal Gollaya il N?kt Mir et Northgall ."

The other warriors bellowed in unison, "Goll!"

As Soryn moved closer, I saw my brother held on the other side by two wraith fae. "Una!"

Without hesitation, I ran across the room toward him. Goll must've given the guards a signal behind me for they let him go. Baelynn met me halfway and pulled me into a tight embrace.

"Are you alright?" he whispered, voice trembling.

"Yes, yes," I assured him, pulling back so that I could look at him.

There was a purple bruise coloring one cheek, below his eye. "You're not," I snapped.

"I'm fine." He gripped my shoulders. "You are truly unharmed?"

I nodded. He bent his head closer to me.

"Don't worry," he whispered. "I've read the treaty his drawn up. I won't sign it. I won't allow him to take you back there."

Studying his face—both fury and fear mingling in his expression—I managed to smile, trying to ease his distress. He had no idea that Gollaya wouldn't allow it. I was certain of that.

I glanced over his shoulder to see there had been a number of the Issosian Royal Guard, hands cuffed in iron and seated on the floor to one side. They must've taken the palace mere hours before. Gael was one of the Issosians also cuffed and held against the wall. His furious gaze bore into mine.

I shook my head at him, willing him to understand there was no other way.

"You're just in time, Sire," said Soryn behind us where Gollaya stood, surveying the room and watching me. "It took us three days rather than one to breach the walls and secure the city. I'd hoped to have things more settled when you arrived."

"Your messenger arrived just today," Gollaya told him. "Seems everything is well in hand."

"Except that we don't have enough prison cells to contain them all."

"That won't be necessary," said Gollaya. He and his lieutenant strode across the room toward me and my brother.

Baelynn instinctively stiffened. I knew that he was about to do something foolish to protect me, as if he could, but I placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Baelynn." When his gaze snapped to mine, I said, "I know the terms of the treaty."

And now I knew that Gollaya hadn't bluffed. Not at all.

I turned to face Gollaya. "I fully accept the terms."

"No," grated Baelynn. "You can't , Una."

Gollaya completely ignored him and held out his hand to Soryn. His second placed a scroll in his king's palm who then handed it to me.

I unscrolled the parchment and swiftly read the accord, noting that he'd laid out the terms clearly in demon tongue. His oath to provide protection and peace to the people of Lumeria would continue, only if I remained in Northgall until I bore an heir. Our child would be raised to be the next monarch of both Lumeria and Northgall.

Finished reading, I exhaled a slow breath then marched to the steps of the throne dais and to the tall table which usually held refreshments when we were at court. When I turned, it was to find all eyes staring at me in wonder.

"Unless you plan for me to sign this in my own blood," I said to Gollaya, "I'll need a quill and ink."

Soryn snapped at one of the soldiers, but I watched as Gollaya strode steadily across the room and up the steps, his mouth quirked in an annoying smile. He stopped before me and lifted his hand, brushing his fingertips under my upturned chin, his claws lightly scraping my skin. I managed not to shiver though the light caress was unexpectedly enticing.

"Such a smart female. I knew the gods would choose one like you for me, Una."

I bristled at his arrogance, but somehow found myself blushing at the odd compliment.

A wraith fae walked up the steps and set a quill and inkwell on the tall table at my side then left the dais. I dipped the quill and signed my full name without much flourish then handed the quill to Gollaya.

I refused to look at him, knowing he likely wore that same smug smile. I looked at my brother.

"Baelynn."

He stood there, his complexion pale. He shook his head.

"Baelynn. This is the way. I'll be alright." I managed to sound confident and convincing. For him.

We stared and I pleaded to him without saying another word. Finally, he cursed under his breath and marched up the steps. He jerked the quill from Gollaya and stared down at the document for several minutes. Finally, he signed it, dropped the quill, and then spun to face Gollaya, stepping close.

"If you harm her, treaty or not, I'll come to Northgall and kill you."

"Baelynn, please." I grabbed his arm, trying to push him back, afraid he was going to get himself hurt.

"I'd expect nothing less," said Goll, calm and steady.

I looked up at him, "Can you and I have a word in private now?"

Without waiting for an answer, I let go of Baelynn and quickly descended the stone steps, crossed the floor, and exited into the corridor. The guards there didn't stop me, but simply watched as I crossed to a vestibule where there was a cushioned bench seat against the wall.

I used to sit here and look out at our kingdom, at our beautiful city. Now, there was nothing but blue torchlight and the faint chant of Goll's name. They were still reciting his name in that deep, haunting mantra. He may have only recently taken over his father's army, but it was obvious they worshipped him now.

I heard him step into the corridor and draw closer. I also heard the guards leaving their post, assuming he sent them away. At least he was being respectful enough to adhere to my wishes. I didn't want witnesses for this conversation.

"I've signed your accord. And I will…give you what you want." I turned to look up at him, his expression an frustratingly unreadable mask again. "But I have a demand of my own."

He blinked slowly then asked, "What is it you require, Una?"

"To be bound here in the Moon Temple."

For the first time since we'd arrived, he conjured a casual pose, crossing his arms and cocking one knee out while leaning his weight on the other leg. "We don't believe in marriage, Princess."

"But I do."

"Whether we are or aren't bound , our union is not a marriage as you see it. You will not become my queen with your sacred words. You will be my bedmate until I fill your belly with my child. That is all."

His words sank heavily like a cold stone in my stomach. Whatever small respect I felt minutes before for him was completely gone now. I would be a vessel, his brood mare.

"I understand," I replied with equal coldness, "but if I leave Valla Lokkyr into your keeping and bear a child, I will be considered a pariah to my people—ruined, regardless that I'm giving up my life to save theirs. Unless we hold the sacred moon-binding ceremony before we go."

He stared, his mask vanishing, giving way to anger. But he said nothing, as if my request was ridiculous.

"I will not be the wraith king's whore," I stated bitingly, "at least not in the eyes of my own people."

The wraith fae would know what I was to their king. And Baelynn would never publicize or likely tell anyone what was stated in the accord we both just signed to save our entire kingdom. If I was bound here, everyone would assume it was a proper union to keep the peace. That's the very least I could hope for in this unholy alliance.

"I'm giving up my entire life. All I ask for myself is that you suffer through a short ceremony. If it means nothing to you, then why refuse me?"

He clenched his jaw, looking over my head at the moonlight spilling through the window, then he exhaled a heavy breath. "Fine. If it will keep you compliant." He uncrossed his arms and turned to stalk in long strides toward the closed double doors.

"And may I see my father before we go?"

He stopped and turned. I wasn't surprised he'd already been aware of my father's illness. For he barely even blinked before snapping, "Go see him now." He motioned for the guards to go with me. "I'll tell your brother to get whatever priest is needed for this ceremony. But it is all to be done in less than an hour. Hurry."

And those were the lovely words spoken to me by my soon-to-be husband.

I rushed down the corridor with my wraith fae guard on my heels to my father's bedchamber.