Now, I knew she was so much more.
“I accept those terms.”
Kaspar stepped forward. “She has to accept them too. I’m not interested in you forcing the girl into some sham then disposing of her later.”
I glanced back at Winter. She was pale and her hands trembled. “Give her time to think about it.”
“We don’t have time,” Maeve said. “I agree with Kaspar. Winter has to agree, or else it’s worthless.”
All eyes turned to Winter.
She didn’t move.
Her mouth fell open and I could only guess at what bubbled up through her brain. There must’ve been a myriad of reason why she should refuse. I kidnapped her, ruined her life, teased her mercilessly, treated her like I owned her.
But also an equal number of reasons to say yes.
And god, I wanted her to say yes.
I never wanted a wife. Marriage seemed like a mistake. All of the older Oligarchs were married, and they were all a bunch of selfish, miserable bastards that took everything the world had to give and left trash behind. If that was what happened when the powerful got married, I didn’t want any part of it.
But I realized I placed the blame in the wrong spot. My father was a stodgy, obsessive asshole, and so were all the other men of his generation. Old Bern was the last of them and he was the most liberal of that group. By comparison, the new guard was downright revolutionary.
Marriage didn’t mean misery. It didn’t have to—not if I married the right person.
And Winter was the right person.
Smart, gorgeous, resilient, well-connected. She’d be such an asset and so much more.
Only she had to want it too.
“I don’t know.” Her voice was tiny, scared. This was too much too soon after the fight. She was still barely over the shock of what happened earlier.
“We need you to decide,” Old Bern said, glowering. “We have to speak on behalf of the others and whatever we decide now will be binding. No dithering about.”
“I don’t—” She stopped herself, shook her head. “I don’t know what to do.”
“Think, girl.” Old Bern practically growled at her. “You really want a life with this man?”
“Oh, go choke on it, you ancient withered husk of dog shit.” Kaspar stepped into the circle, his fierce eyes pummeling into Winter. “Marry him and be done with it. You’ll never have another chance like this.”
“What if I refuse? Will you kill me?”
“No reason to let you walk away from this room alive.”
Maeve sighed. “Nobody’s going to kill you. Do you hear me, Kaspar?”
He shrugged, checked his nails. “I hear you, but I don’t agree with you. Why let the girl live if she doesn’t know what’s best for her?”
“Enough.” Old Bern slapped the arms of his chair. “Call me old fashioned but I do not believe in forcing women into marriage. There must always be a choice. Now, girl, do you want to marry Servant or not?”
“No, I don’t.”
The words were like a dagger to my guts. I leaned back in my chair, blinking rapidly.
Kaspar would kill her. Old Bern was going to give me a self-satisfied grin. All my plans would be put on hold.
Except Winter wasn’t finished speaking.
“But I’ll do it anyway.”
Old Bern shoved himself to his feet, struggling slightly to rise. “Good enough for me. Maeve, you know what to do. I wish I could say it was a pleasure, but it wasn’t.” Bern nodded to me then ambled off, sparing one final pitying frown for Winter before disappearing through the doors.
Kaspar wasn’t far behind. “Good choice. If I were you, I would’ve agreed to marry him too.” He chewed on the end of the unlit cigar and followed after Old Bern.
Maeve didn’t move. She looked at me and tilted her head.
“This doesn’t get you out of trouble. It’s only buying you time.”
“That’s all I need.”
“Roman got time too, you know.” She rose as if pulled by strings. That woman was a nightmare, a monster from another world. “But I suspect his reprieve is running out.”
“Do the others agree?”
“Some do, some don’t. You know how these things happen.”
“I’ll make their decision for them.”
“I suspect you will.” She looked over to Winter and almost smiled, or at least smiled as much as she ever did. “Good luck.”
Winter said nothing as Maeve drifted out.
I beckoned for her to join me. She sat down heavily in the chair Maeve had been in just a moment earlier and stared at the boxes of cigars arrayed on the coffee table.
“What do we do now?” she asked softly, almost whispering.
“You just told three of the most dangerous people in that world that you were going to marry me. I think I’d better buy some rings.”
She turned green and looked like she might be sick.
I laughed as I stood and went to find Anthony. I’d have him make arrangements.