‘Hey.’ Joaquin’s hand comes to my jaw, his mouth to mine. He tastes like blood and violets, sucking gently on my tongue before releasing me to refill my wine glass. ‘You want to dance? Or you want to go somewhere more private?’ His fingertips slide beneath the hem of my skirt. Breathless, I grab my wineglass and drain it. ‘Dance,’ I gasp. I’m still not ready for anything more, darkness knows why.
‘If dancing is what you truly want,’ Joaquin says, leaning in to lick droplets of wine from my lips, ‘then so be it. But I wantyou, Emelia. And I cannot wait much longer.’
He slides from the booth, pulling me with him, holding me tight as we join the swaying crowd. I cling to him, wondering why the hell I’m resisting falling into bed with him. But later, as we head home, the sky paling towards dawn, my head aching from too much wine, I can’t hide from the truth. We head inside, Joaquin’s arm around me. ‘Shall I tuck you into bed?’ he murmurs, all innuendo and heat.
‘I’m so tired,’ I say, conscious of Selene’s mocking green gaze. ‘Forgive me.’
‘There’s nothing to forgive,’ Joaquin says lightly. ‘One more kiss, though, before you go?’ His strong arms come around me as he bends me back. When he releases me, I’m unsteady on my feet. I turn towards the stairs, and see Michael standing there, with my mother. She has her eyebrows raised. Michael’s expression is completely shuttered.
And that, right there, is the problem. I’m still hung up on Michael.
ChapterThirty-Two
THE THIRTEENTH MOVE
‘These are all the Raven vehicles on the estate?’
‘That’s right.’ I hold my breath as Michael brushes past, his hand feather-light on my waist. He walks around the Mercedes, his fingers trailing along the glossy trim. For probably the tenth time today I curse the circumstances that led to me choosing him as my lieutenant. If he hadn’t come back, if his brothers hadn’t been such absolute tossers, then I’d be preparing for my coronation and, most likely, announcing my engagement to Joaquin.
Instead, I’m wandering around my home, trying not to scream with frustration. As my lieutenant, Michael has to know all the ins and outs of how the estate works, as well as understand a political structure going back centuries. My parents are helping him with the latter and I, in what now seems a spectacularly ill-conceived moment of weakness, offered to take him around the estate during the day. So now I’m showing him the outbuildings, all the while doing my utmost not to think of his lips on mine, how he felt pressed against me, the absolute obscene heat of him. I’m furious that I cannot seem to get over him.
‘These are the staff coaches? There was a similar arrangement on my father’s estate.’
‘Yep.’
It’s becoming more and more clear that whatever was between us in the Safe Zone hasn’t gone anywhere. If anything, my longing for him has increased, especially as I can’t act on it. Not because he doesn’t want me to, because he’s made it very clear he does. But because I have to choose what’s best for my realm.
I’m about to turn away when I notice something odd. There are only three coaches here.
‘What is it?’
‘There should be four coaches onsite.’
‘Maybe one of them is on a staff run?’
I check my phone. ‘Not at this time of day.’
I don’t understand. I checked with the guards when we returned from the Gathering, and the numbers of humans leaving and entering the estate seems to mostly match up now, with the majority of discrepancies explained. But there should be four coaches here.
Michael shrugs. ‘Maybe it’s something to do with the extra guards in the Safe Zones.’ Raven have upped their guard presence in response to the attacks, and we’ve advised the other families to do the same. I also haven’t forgotten my revelation about Reapers, and what they might be. But I’m snowed under with everything that needs to be done before my coronation. Plus, if I want to go to the Pits and find a Reaper I’ll have to consult with my lieutenant. And I’m trying to do as little of that as possible at the moment.
‘Maybe.’ I’m still frowning, though, as we leave the garages and head towards the small guardhouse. I’ve not found any more clothing left there, despite checking several times. ‘So, this is where food deliveries come in, and?—’
‘E, I can figure this stuff out myself. You don’t have to show me around. In fact, what I imagine you should be doing is preparing for your birthday ball.’
Damn him. The ball is a week away, guests arriving soon. It’s not like I have to do much except show up, though. I offered to help with organising it, but my mother wouldn’t hear of it, telling me I wasn’t to dream of arranging my own birthday party.
‘You don’thaveto do this at all.’ He’s grinning now, his arms folded. ‘So, the only conclusion I can come to is that you want to spend more time with me.’
My mouth drops open. ‘You are truly just…’ Words fail me.
‘Just…?’ His grin widens, one eyebrow raised. ‘I can’t wait to hear what you think of me. Because I know you do. Think of me, that is. I think of you, too. In all kinds of ways.’
‘Oh!’ Fuming, I turn on my heel and march back towards the house, his laughter following me.
I cannot escape him. Over the next few days, despite my best efforts, I see Michael everywhere. Laughing in the library with my mother. Practising drills with Varin (I stood there, mouth agape, before I realised what I was doing and fled, heat in my cheeks). Discussing strategy with my father in the War Room.
He isinfuriating.
