“Excuse me?” I growl, feeling my face heat.
“Have I offended you?”
Before I can answer, another voice cuts in. “You always aim to offend, Duke Wallcliffe.”
I turn my head and see a dark skinned fae with long black hair and tattoos covering every inch of exposed skin. He is not dressed formally like the rest of the guests, but in breeches and a plain white tunic. I can’t help but lean in closer and stare at the tattoos.
“Are they moving?” I ask in awe.
The newcomer chuckles. “Yes, my markings move. You must be Everly.”
Our eyes meet, and I respond with a nervous smile. “Yes, and you are?”
The fae bows at the waist. “Forgive me. My name is Nero. I’ve actually just been given a name other than the usual phantom, changeling, puca, or shapeshifter. It’s nice.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Nero,” I reply, purposely ignoring this so-called Lord Wallcliffe.
“Would you care for a dance?” Nero asks.
“I was conversing with this young lady first,” Duke Wallcliffe argues, trying to step between us.
“I would love to.” Grabbing Nero's hand, I basically drag him away from that horrid man.
Nero chuckles as we move into the next dance. “I thought you could use a rescue.”
“Is he always so rude?”
“Yes.” Nero’s eyes take on a hard edge as he looks in the direction of Duke Wallcliffe.
“Even though that was a simple answer, it seems ominous.”
“Just stay away from him.” Though his voice is gentle, the warning is unmistakable. Nervously, I swallow and give a nod.
Nero lifts my hand and I twirl, the skirt of my dress flaring out and sparkling like gems in the sun. Pulling me in close to his chest, a grin spreads across his face.
“You’re an excellent dancer for a human. I wouldn’t think you’d know this dance. It is a traditional fae dance.”
I jerk in his grasp. He’s right. I've been dancing, my body moving freely and withoutthought.
“It’s okay, Everly,” Nero whispers. “You will remember when the time is right.”
The music comes to a stop, and with a final bow, Nero retreats and disappears into the crowd. I am at a loss for words, and my body feels frozen in place.
What did that mean?
My eyes dart to the birthmark hidden under the makeup on my arm, and a sudden sense of urgency courses through me. My eyes dart around, searching for any sign of where Nero went. I have a gut feeling that he possesses the answers I am seeking. I push through the crowd of fae, but I can’t see him.
Damn it.
I catch sight of Maxon next to the queen, conversing with two Lords. With a sigh, I spin on my heel, intent to find Raiden, but bump straight into another lady.
“Shit. I’m . . . ” I hold my tongue as Nix's words of warning about fae debts come to mind.
The fae woman snarls, her eyes piercing straight through me as she pokes me in the chest with her sharp nails. We stare at each other for several long moments, neither breaking eye contact. I recognize her immediately, it’s the fae woman who threw me in that small storage room.
She is dressed to the nines, in a slinky red dress, her dark hair curled around her shoulders as it falls to her waist. I notice the other women around her have fallen silent, keenly watching our exchange, with smirks on their faces.
“Don’t you have something to say, human?” she spits the last word as if being human makes me less than the dirt beneath her shoes.
