Karrie closed the door and leaned against it. It was over. She knew it, maybe in her heart she’d always known it wouldn’t work. Especially after Sig had tried to do to her what she’d done to Damien. She’d basically bullied, nagged, and cajoled him into agreeing to marry her. Even after she knew he didn’t love her, she’d kept at him. She’d been an idiot to think things would change.

Her mother emerged from the back room and swept into the living room. She had on a simple cream dress without jewelry or decoration and somehow she made it seem elegant. Karrie didn’t know how she managed it.

“How’d your visit with Damien go, dear?”

Karrie slogged over to the couch and collapsed into it. “I think we’re calling off the engagement.”

Her mother rushed over and sat beside her. “Have you lost your mind? After everything you went through to convince him to agree, you decide to let him go after only six weeks. What happened?”

Karrie told her and when she finished her mother shook her head. “You really are a child. Love has nothing to do with marriage when nobles are involved. It’s about power. I don’t care if Damien sleeps with every woman in the kingdom except you, at least after you conceive an heir or two. As far as his bizarre fascination with that sword, who cares? The spirit in the sword is no different than any other fantasy woman a man might have. As far as the world is concerned it’s just a weapon.”

“But—”

“No buts. I don’t care what you need to do, what you promise him, just get Damien to go through with the marriage. After that all you need to do is coax him into bed enough times to get a kid or two out of him. Once that’s done you can be married in name only for all the difference it makes. If you don’t see this through there’s no telling who you’ll end up with. Most likely a manipulative schemer who will undercut you at every opportunity or a bully that will try to force you to do what he wants, like Sig tried to.”

Karrie sighed. Mom made it sound so simple. Maybe it was. Damien said it was up to her. If she explained the situation to him just like Mom did for her, he’d probably do it as a favor. “A manipulative schemer, huh? Sounds like that sort of person would be a good match for me.”

Her mother grabbed Karrie by the shoulders and shook her. “You need to let go of these childish ideas. There can only be one schemer in a marriage and since you’re not a warlord or a sorcerer it needs to be you. Go now, before he gets too used to the idea that he’s free to do whatever he wants.”

“He’s heading out on a mission. I doubt I’ll catch him before he leaves.”

Her mother stood, dragging Karrie to her feet. “Try.”