These Hollow Vows (These Hollow Vows 1)

Pain radiates up my legs, and when I try to stand, I can’t. Invisible bonds force me to kneel before this wicked king.

Anger flares through me, as hot as the fire from my nightmares. For a beat, darkness floods the room, so thick that nothing is visible in any direction.

I gasp, and it’s gone. Is the king showing off? Trying to prove his power to a lowly human girl?

“Impressive,” the king says, smiling down on me. “So impressive.”

Is he complimenting his own magic? I lift my chin. They can force me to my knees, but I will fight them before I bow to their king.

“They said it couldn’t be done,” the king says. “They said no human could move through the Golden Palace undetected. But I knew. You’re special.”

“Where’s my sister?” My words are but a hiss of steam from the rage that boils inside me.

The king’s smile could be described as nothing but welcoming—the comforting expression of a friend who wants you to know that everything will be okay—but no smile can hide the ice in his eyes. “Your sister is safe. For now.”

“Why do you want her? You’re a faerie king. You can have anyone you choose. There are countless human women who would line up for a chance to be with you.” The fools, I add silently.

I wonder if he hears my thoughts, because he smirks and chuckles quietly. “I don’t want your sister.”

“Then why—”

“I want you.”

I yank against the invisible bonds. “That makes no sense.”

“Doesn’t it?”

“If you wanted me, why did you buy her?”

“Would you have come to me if I’d asked? Would you have done my bidding if I’d bought your contract instead of hers?” His gleaming eyes lock onto me with such intensity, I feel like he’s studying my soul. “No, a girl like you wouldn’t help me, not even to save her own life. But if you had to help, if your sister’s life depended on it . . .”

“Why would you need my help? You’re a faerie king. I’m a mortal girl.”

“Abriella, even you know you’re far more than that.” He toys with the end of one of his white braids. “You managed to sneak through the golden queen’s castle and wander her hallways. You found her portal and came through undetected. You have impressed even me, the Lord of the Night. I believe you can do a job for me that no one else can.”

“I doubt it,” I spit, then wish I could yank the words back. As long as he has my sister, I’m at his mercy, and he knows it. If this job is the only leverage I have to free Jas, I need him to believe I can do whatever he asks. “I won’t do anything as long as you have my sister prisoner. Send her home and I’ll talk to you about whatever help you need from me.”

“Home? You mean send her back to that moldy cellar beneath the witch’s cottage?” He laughs again, and this time the whole court laughs behind me. I hate them all. “You expect me to believe that if I release your sister, you will give your services freely?”

“You expect me to believe you’ll release her if I help you?”

He nods. “Of course. Yet you don’t have a choice but to believe. I think we can make a deal—a bargain if you will. In return for your services, I’ll let your sister go. I’ll send her home safely. But only after you return what the golden court has stolen.”

“Why not do this job yourself? You’re the all-powerful Lord of the Night.”

He grins, and again I’m rocked by his sinister beauty. “Thank you for the compliment, but I won’t abandon my throne to be an errand boy.”

I nod toward the sentry standing beside me. “Then send one of your guards.”

“This is not a job for a faerie.” He steeples his fingers and taps them together. “Queen Arya’s son is searching for a bride, a human bride. I believe Prince Ronan will find you quite to his liking.”

“What does the prince have to do with—”

He stops my words with a wave of his hand. Literally stops them. I’m moving my mouth, but no words are coming out. I grab my throat and glare at him with all the hate in my heart.

“Tomorrow,” the king continues, “the prince will choose a dozen young women to stay at the Golden Palace as potential brides. You’ll offer yourself as his bride and infiltrate my enemy’s court. While you’re trying to win young Ronan’s hand, you’ll retrieve some of my belongings that the queen has had for a bit too long now.” Another smile. “You will need to win the young prince’s heart and his trust to gain access to the magical artifacts that have been stolen from my court—you must bring all three to me if you want your sister to return home.”