“I don’t like my dad, so no. I’m willing to help yours just to make sure he wins,” I replied in a voice as I winked back, which caused him to beam a wide smile.
“Sign the contract,” Dresden growled, not finding our little joke funny at all. I hesitated and turned to look at Adam.
“Can we have a minute?” I asked.
“No,” Dresden growled.
“Of course,” Kier answered.
“Which is it?” I asked, raising a brow at them both.
“You have a minute, but make it fast,” Dresden said with annoyance stamped across his brow.
When we had enough privacy I turned to face Adam. “What’s up, Adam?”
“Nothing. Why do you ask?” he replied, but he wouldn’t look me in the eye.
“Oh, no reason; besides the fact that I have known you long enough to know when you’re upset. Now spill it.”
“There’s nothing wrong; this is just moving fast.”
“Do you want out of this? Because, if you do, I’ll personally scour the earth to find another way to save Faery.”
“You know as well as I do, that there is no other way. Had there been an alternative, Ryder would have found it by now and kept you,” Adam replied.
“This is me and you, Adam. We can handle this. We will make the best of it, and I do love you. We have more than most people would in our situation.”
“We do, don’t we?” he said, smiling. I nodded at him, and we both took a deep breath like we were going into battle or something.
We walked over to where our parents stood with our hands entwined. I watched as Adam bent down to sign his name on the leathery vellum of the contract. No blood was called for on this one, but it felt as if I’d signed it with much more than my own blood.
I smiled at Adam as both sets of parents shook hands warily over the table and we stood together in silence. We were doing this; we were getting married and saving Faery—together. There were more pros here than cons. I wasn’t alone; I was with my best friend. It could have been a lot worse. The Demon could have seen me married to some complete stranger, and then I’d be here with him. I would marry Adam, and I’d learn to love him to the best of my ability, and, in time, it could become so much more.
Of course, I was in love with Ryder, but I wouldn’t let that come between us. I could forgo what I wanted, for what was needed. We would make strong babies, and who knew? Maybe someday I would fall in love with Adam; truly fall in love with him.
Adam watched as I bent down to sign my life away with a grim look on his face. When our parents had done the same, something passed between us—acceptance at the cards we’d been dealt I guess. He held out his hand, and I accepted it. We made our way to the raised dais where we would be presented the children of the land. We were seated in comfortable looking chairs, which was a blessing as the heels Mari had glamoured were already killing my feet. It was supposed to have been the first thing on the agenda from what Mari had mentioned, but everything was off kilter here tonight. Maybe the Fae needed to hire some wedding planners or something to keep each stage of this event on track.
A long line of women with children and tiny infants lined up in front of us. I was overwhelmed as one after another pushed her child into my arms for a blessing. This went on for at least an hour, and Adam watched with a grin on his lips. Or, at least he did until I placed one in his arms.
“What the hell, Syn!? What do I do with it?” he exclaimed as he took the squirming bundle and held it in front of him with a look of sheer horror.
“Hey, I’m not the only one who needs practice here,” I said, smiling impishly. My smile dropped as a hush stole over the entire crowded gathering. I looked across the room to find everyone staring at Adam. “Give me back the baby. I don’t think you’re supposed to hold it,” I whispered.
He handed it back as we watched the crowd. They continued watching us closely as if Adam would have gobbled it up and digested the small being I now held against my chest. The mother quickly snatched the small child from my arms and glared down at me.
“Oops?” I offered with wide eyes, unsure of what else to say. What the hell was wrong with these people?
“Synthia, a future King does not show interest in the young. It’s a woman’s job, and for Adam to do so would mean he has other interests in them,” Mari placed a hand gently upon my arm. A small tug at her lips and a gentle twinkle in her eyes at least told me that she didn’t think I was a complete idiot.
“Oh, well I assure he has no interest in your child other than the normal prince type stuff. I’m sorry if I gave you that worry,” I said a little sheepishly to the mother of the infant. Mari smiled and nodded approvingly, and gave a dismissal of the woman who was gone with the simple gesture. The woman sifted out of the room the moment she had been allowed to by the reigning queen.