Page 151 of The Heir's Bargain

With another groan, I walked to the closet, shouting at the door, "Fine. I don't know what could be so important right now that you need me to—" My words cut off as I pulled the door open.

I blinked, hand frozen in the air.

"Did you find it?" Fynn asked from the other side of the door.

My lips parted, but the words struggled to come out as I stared, mouth agape, at the dress hanging in the closet. "What exactly did I find, Fynn?"

"A dress."

"And what am I supposed to do with it?"

"Put it on."

"But. . ." I reached out, running a hand down the satin fabric, which was void of lace, bows, or over-the-top jewels.

"Dani, I know this isn't about the dress, but you should at least feel like yourself today. While you have been around Terin, me, and my mother long enough to understand how royalty changes things, you haven't had to experience it firsthand yet. You never asked for a crown. You never asked for a title outside of the one you have earned in the military. And you most certainly didn't ask for a big wedding—at least not one the entire kingdom was practically invited to. Neither did I, but it was the hand I was dealt. As much as I hate to say it, this wedding is not for us. It's for the people—to give the kingdom hope for better days to come. But that doesn't mean we have to change who we are or that you have to change who you are. Take off that frilly dress that Sorinia picked out and put on the one on the hanger."

"But it's?—"

"Perfect? Exquisite? Everything you wanted in a wedding dress?"

"Sure, but?—"

"But what? Don't tell me I actually chose the wrong dress this time."

My hand fell from the fabric of the dress hanging in the closet. Immediately, my arm brushed against the pointed jewels embroidered throughout the skirt of the one I was wearing, scratching my skin.

I sighed. "This isn't the dress of a princess, let alone a queen, Fynn."

Fynn released a heavy sigh that seeped through the door. "A dress does not dictate whether you are a princess or queen. And to be honest? I don't give a damn about what you wear as long as we walk out of the temple hand-in-hand. You are my soul bond, Dani. In less than two hours, you will also be my wife. I told you before, we could have exchanged our rings at The Splintered Oar over piss-poor ale, and I would have been happy."

"I thought you didn't like ale." A quiet hum rose in my core, the blush heating my cheeks.

"I've grown accustomed to it." I could hear his smile through the door.

I looked at the dress again. It was a simple white satin dress with a slit in the long skirt and a corset bodice. It wasn't extravagant, but it was elegant. Based on the light, flowing material, it also allowed for movement and wouldn't weigh me down, unlike the current one. The dress hung from thin, dainty straps.

The dress was perfect.

Somewhere in the castle, a bell tolled, loud and rancorous. Time was ticking.

"Are you going to put the dress on?" Fynn asked after a silent moment passed.

I sighed and lifted the hanger. "Yes, Fynn. I just have to get this one off first."

His fingers tapped along the door. "I could help with that, you know."

I smirked. "Ha. Not a chance, Nadarean. I didn't spend the last three hours getting ready for you to ruin it in five."

"Five?" Fynn asked, humor soaking his voice. "We have at least ten minutes."

"Fynneares," I hissed, chuckling.

"It was worth a shot." He knocked on the door, two light taps. Then footsteps sounded on the other side before I could respond.

I love you, I thought as Fynn walked away.

I love you too, Ferrios.

A wide grin split my face as Fynn's voice floated into my mind.

According to Esmeray, the new development resulted from the bond between our souls, the connection enhancing our gifts. As of right now, he could only speak into my mind. But Esmeray believed that once the vows were spoken and the rings forged from the isle were slipped onto our fingers, he would be able to mind-speak to others as well.

At first, it scared me. Having another person’s voice in my head made my mind feel too small. However, Fynn had been whispering inside my head for four months now. Over the course of those months, it became a comfort I sought out often.

Sometimes, his voice was faint, little more than a whisper. But whenever he was near, it was there.

I didn't care about why Fynn could now speak into my mind. All I knew was that I never wanted to know what it felt like to be without it.