"But he didn't," I say, looking for holes in his lie.
"He never got the chance. You see, father told me he has always been cautious with poisons. He has built a resistance to many of them. After Fen completed his dirty deed, he left father alone, likely to fetch chains. But it only took a moment for Lucian to reawaken. He realized what happened. His own son had betrayed him. Fen, the kind, honorable one. How would Levi or Dean react? Niam? No. He knew then he could never free the slaves as King of the Vampires. He had to leave, go into hiding. He had to join with the Fae. So my father took one of his own concoctions, one he had used during the invasion, one that feigns death."
"But I saw his body—"
"You saw the remains of a dead vampire Lucian placed in his grave after his potion wore off and he left the mausoleum."
His story makes sense, except Fen is no poisoner. "How do you know all this?"
"Because Lucian told me. He needed someone still on the inside. So, he came to me, said I was the last one he could trust."
Images flash through my mind. Fen glaring at Asher. Fen upset Lucian always trusted Asher more. Did he… did he really poison his father?
Asher raises an eyebrow, seeing the uncertainty in my face. He holds a silver goblet to his lips, drinking. "I want peace, Ari. I want the Fae and vampire and Shade to live side-by-side without war, without slavery, without hate. Yes, I knew you were a Fae Princess, but I never lied to you. I never told you anything that wasn't true. My father's will did demand your commitment to marry one of us. It came into effect when he resigned his crown, even though my brothers thought him dead. He knew he couldn't make a deal with you himself, not while in hiding. He knew he needed you in this world. Your mother set this up sixteen years ago when you died, and she sold her soul to bring you back to life. My father took the deal and waited. We couldn't force you here. You had to come willingly."
He takes a deep breath and closes his eyes for a long moment before opening them again. He speaks softly, without the typical arrogance I'm used to. "You're the only hope this world has of surviving."
I shake my head, stunned by his calm demeanor. "So this is all justified in your mind? You just did as you had to?"
"Yes. Maybe there was a better way, but I don't know what that would have been. Ari, I'm begging you, please believe me. I'm not your enemy. I care about you."
He reaches for my hand and I don't pull away. My mind is filled with too many conflicting emotions.
"I won't lie," he says. "I want to be king. Out of all my brothers, I think I would be the best choice. Out of all of us, I alone want peace. I alone want to end this war. And with you, I know I can."
His eyes fill with sorrow and something else… hope. "Give me this month, Ari. Your mother will be kept safe. The contract will not be broken. You will visit your world. You will fulfill your obligation by spending time with me. Give me this month to prove I'm the best choice for this world. Give me this month to win back your trust."
I suck in my breath, then pull away my hand slowly. "Do you know what Fen told me after I found out who he really was?"
Asher shakes his head.
"He said not to trust anyone, least of all him or his brothers."
Chapter 2
LIKE RAPUNZEL
"My brothers and I have been around a very long time. You couldn't even fathom how long if you tried."
—Fenris Vane
My last words silence Asher. He sits across from me, waiting for me to speak, to make some kind of decision about what I will do. I'm not in a position to escape at the moment—in my barred prison cell, so I must make do until an opportunity presents itself. If that means I must play this game for now… I will.
"I don't know what to believe, Asher. But if you swear to me this will continue to fulfill my contract, that my mother will be safe, I will spend time with you. I can't promise it will sway me to do what you want. But I won't spit in your face again… unless you really deserve it."
He chuckles, standing as well. "Fair enough, Princess. Fair enough. I swear your mother will be safe, the contract fulfilled."
I cock my head at him, a hint of a smile on my lips. "Wasn't Dean supposed to have his turn with me? He won't like this."
Asher smiles, displaying adorable dimples. "It's good for him to have his desires thwarted once in a while." He holds out his arm. "Would you like to see more of your current home? I believe you have a destiny to fulfill and Madrid and Durk are waiting."
I take his arm but crinkle my nose. "I don't like Durk."
Asher smirks. "No one likes Durk. Durk doesn't even like Durk. Just ignore him."