"Ryophlira," Father said, his voice sounding hollow. "You shall marry into the North next month."

I stared at him. Then, I let out a sharp, hysterical laugh. "That has to be a fucking joke. You’re actually selling me to the man who just watched you try to kill his father?"

"Watch your tongue," Riegthar warned.

Across the table, Yue-Senn let out a soft, dark chuckle. It was a beautiful sound and I hated it.

"I chose you, Princess," Yue-Senn said, his voice deep enough to vibrate in my chest.

"Because the North doesn’t need another diplomat. We need strength."

He looked at my mother. "Your mother defeated my father just now without breaking a sweat. Your father I am pretty sure broke my ribs."

I blinked. Wait, they actually fought while we were outside?

"Protection means nothing if only one side holds the power," Yue-Senn continued, leaning forward.

"We need someone who, if the West ever turns on us, possesses the strength to fight for us."

"I am a Vhaelor," I snapped. "I would never fight my own people."

"If you marry me," he replied, his eyes locking onto mine, "you become a Kageyama. You belong to the North, if war comes... the North comes first."

My blood ran cold. He was talking about me like I was a weapon.

Fine.

If they wanted a weapon, I’d give them one with a hair-trigger.

"Fine," I said, the word cutting through the room like a blade.Everyone froze.

"I’ll marry you," I continued, ignoring my father’s shocked expression. "But not as a prize. If I’m a ’political bargain’ then I’m setting the price."

I looked Yue-Senn dead in the eye.

"Terms. One: Half the Northern border lands become shared territory, managed by both kingdoms. Two: I visit my family once a month, unrestricted. Three: I sit at the table. I am involved in every negotiation, every trade, and every war council." The scribe in the room putting the pen to the parchment to get every word down for the new contract.

Father looked like he was about to have an stroke. "Ryophlira, enough!"

"No!" I shouted back. "You’ve spent eighteen years talking about me. From now on, you talk to me."

I turned back to the Prince. "And one last thing. I want a King. Not a Prince."

Yue-Senn’s eyebrows shot up. "You’re asking me to overthrow my father?"

"I’m asking for a man who has the power to protect what’s mine," I challenged. "A Prince is just a boy with a fancy title. If I’m going to the North, I’m going as a Queen."

A slow, dangerous smile spread across Yue-Senn’s face. It wasn’t the smile of a lover,

it was the smile of a man who had just found a blade sharp enough to cut the world in half.

"I will call the council by sunrise," he said softly. "The abdication will be public. The engagement will be blood-bound."

He stood up, walking around the table until he was inches from me. He took my hand, his grip warm and calloused.

"Are you certain, Ryophlira?" he whispered, his voice dropping so only I could hear. "Once you sign in blood, there is no going back. I will never let you go."

I didn’t flinch. I pulled my hand back and lifted my chin.

"Draft the contracts."

I turned and walked out, my heart hammering against my ribs. I had just sold myself to a wolf in sheep’s clothing. But as I felt his eyes burning into my back, I realized one thing. It wasn’t him I feared it was myself.