“Oh my God, Garrick you’re such an ass.” She turns from me, reaching into her suitcase, then grabs a tiny thong and pulls it on. I watch her exposed ass cheeks as she chooses a bra, clasping it on and adjusting her perfect tits in the cups.
“What, you’re just going to sit here and watch me dress?” she asks. “Don’t you have something better to do, like hike in the woods or chop down a tree? What do you even do all day?”
“I have plenty of things to do, and you’re right: I’m not going to sit around here watching you bitch about your life.” I walk to the front door, grab my rifle, and sling it over my shoulder.
“Oh my God, what are you going to do with that gun?” Iris asks, standing in nothing but her bra and panties.
“What do you think I’m doing? I’m going to go find us some food. We live at the base of the mountain. I’m a mountain prince. You’re my mountain princess. I work in the castle, but in my time off I fucking live like a man who lives in the woods. And as my wife, who lives in the woods with me, I suggest you go to town to find yourself a pair of boots. Maybe a coat. Because those sun dresses and bathing suits?” I point to her suitcase. “They won’t cut it here, Princess.”
“Just like that?” she asks, crossing her arms. “You’re just leaving? This is a joke of a honeymoon.”
“Honeymoon? That’s what you’re pissed about?”
“No.” She shakes her head. “I never expected a honeymoon like Violet is having. She and Hunter are in love. So it’s different. He wanted to give her everything she wanted because they want to be together.”
I clench my jaw, looking at the fucking croissants on the counter and wondering how the fuck I thought that would be enough to win Iris over.
She’s a woman. My bride. And I thought a fucking pastry would be enough.
But she’s thrown down ultimatums, and hell, I don’t want to be the one backing down. The one giving in and giving everything up.
“There’s cash in the kitchen drawers,” I tell her. “Get yourself what you need.”
Her eyes are on the floor, and she looks defeated. Like she really thought I’d just pull her into my arms and whisk her off to the castle, to the place that represents everything I can’t stand.
“Okay,” she says. “I’ll go get the things I need. You’re right, I only have summer clothes.”
“If you show up here in some ball gown, I’m making you march right back to the shops.”
I pull open the front door and head outside.
13
He leaves the cabin, and I’m grateful.
I lower myself to the edge of the bed, tears brimming in my eyes.
I’ve never fought like that with a man before. I’ve never fought like that with anyone before.
I’m the middle sister, which means I’m the peacemaker. I’m not the responsible one, and I’m certainly not the innocent one, but for some reason my eyes have always been wide open.
Right now, I just want to shut them.
Tears fall, and I cover my face with my hands. Trying to catch my breath, I think about what I’m supposed to do.
I root around in my purse for my cell phone. Crossing my fingers, I turn it on, and see that it’s still charged. Thank God there’s an international phone plan on it. Violet insisted I have a working phone before I left Elexia. Hunter had it sent to me before I had to leave. I haven’t met Violet’s husband, but I’ve already decided he’s a keeper.
Having programmed the number of the hotel where they’re staying for their honeymoon, I dial the number. They’re in the Mediterranean, because Hunter knows how to properly treat his princess. Garrick could take a few lessons from him.
“Violet?”
“It’s Hunter. One moment, Iris, let me get your sister.”
“Iris? What are you doing calling? Is everything okay?”
“No, it’s not okay. It’s a disaster. It’s beyond a disaster. It’s ruined. I didn’t call Dahlia, of course. Because if she hears how horrible my marriage is, there’s no way in hell she’s going to show up at Prince Lucas’s house next week. But I’m telling you, this is a cluster. An SOS, 911, emergency. This will not work.”
“Iris,” Violet says calmly. “Start at the beginning.”
“There is no beginning. I need you. I need you to come here. You and Hunter can come rescue me. Please be my knight in shining armor.”
“Knight in shining armor? What are you talking about, Iris?”
“I’m talking about the fact that yesterday I got married to a beast.”