Kai is absurdly handsome in nothing but a pair of loose, low slung black pants of the thinnest material and a thick chain around the nape of his neck. His black hair is gelled to look wet and black kohl lines his eyes, making their vibrant blue-green stand out even more.
We make light conversation, and I am acutely aware of how close Cece stands to Zadyn, her near-naked body angled slightly toward him. When she leans in to whisper something in his ear, her metal bra grazes his arm. A wave of envy ripples through me as I clutch the drink in my hand, threatening to melt the goblet beneath my warming fingers.
Marideth elbows me, and I snap out of it—my limbs cooling immediately.
I spot Jace making his way onto the patio. He wears a sleeveless black mock-neck shirt and pants similar to Kai’s. The onyx sword he is never without is sheathed at his hip. His intense, molten eyes lock on mine, and my heart strains toward him. Sorscha perks up as he reaches us, beaming with youth and vitality. I watch his gaze shift to the angelic fae.
He bows gallantly before her, and I try not to cringe as he presses a kiss to her delicate hand. She drifts closer, flirtatiously sliding her hand onto his chest. I force myself to look away. Ilsa momentarily distracts her while Jace slips into the vacant space beside me.
“Really?” He gives me a sly once-over and drops his voice so that only I can hear.
“What?” I slide my eyes to him without turning.
“That’swhat you’re wearing?”
“Yes, Jace. This is what I’m wearing,” I say through a gritted smile. “Problem?”
He shakes his head with a soft sigh.
“I swear you were sent from hell to torture me, witch.”
The words float to me on a phantom wind that kisses my ear so gently I want to melt. I can’t stop myself from looking up at him. He faces away from me—jaw clenched, eyes fixed ahead. I study his profile, that of a Greek god. Classical and proud.
He turns to Sorscha, offering her his arm. As he leads her inside toward the dance floor, his fingers brush against mine so feather-light, I wonder if I imagined it. The whisper of longing.
Marideth eyes me with watchful eyes. I give her a sad smile, and she gives my hand a small squeeze. My friend.
Her eyes drift to the garden where Dover holds the arm of a slight, brown-haired fae. She is pretty, if not a little plain forHigh Fae, dressed in a modest gray gown. Her only decoration is the diamond necklace around her delicate neck. She scans the party with weary eyes, her expression bordering on pained. Dover speaks to her every so often, clearly making an effort to put her at ease.
“I suppose I should go say hello,” she sighs.
“Keep your fangs retracted,” I warn. She nips playfully at me before disappearing down the steps toward her mate and his betrothed.
I find myself standing alone with Kai after Cece lures Zadyn to the dance floor with bedroom eyes, and Ilsa flits off to flirt with a scantily clad male.
“Excited to see your brother?” I turn to him, taking a sip of cherry wine. Kai drapes himself over the railing, making even the stone beneath him look good.
“Not particularly.” He swirls his wine before bringing it to his lips and draining it. I watch him carefully, noticing the tense mood overshadowing his charm. He’s not his usual quick-witted self tonight.
“What’s wrong with you?” I ask. He holds up his glass in answer.
“Need a refill. Care to join?”
I nod, figuring it's better than being left alone among the rising debauchery. With every second that creeps toward dark, the party grows more and more risqué.
I take hold of Kai’s arm as he leads us through the wild throng toward a table of refreshments. He wordlessly hands me a short glass of clear liquid, taking what’s left of my wine and draining it before reaching for another short glass of his own.
“What is this?” I give the liquid a tentative sniff.
“Temporary reprieve,” he mutters, clinking his glass against mine roughly. He shoots the knuckle full of liquid and wipes his mouth on the back of his hand.
“I’ll drink to that.” My eyes helplessly find Jace among the crowd. He and Sorscha dance, their bodies close together—her hands on his chest, his resting on her hips. I shake my head, trying to rid the image from my mind. I know how those hands feel on my hips. I still feel them, like a brand on me even now.
I redirect my attention to Kai, who’s staring off, stone-faced, at the bawdy crowd. He looks so…depressed. It’s almost disturbing to see someone so full of life, full of wicked fire, with an extinguished flame.
“Wanna dance?” I suggest. He gives a nearly imperceptible shake of his head. I try another approach, hoping to milk some life from him.
“Aren’t you going to comment on my dress? Or lack thereof?” I poke.
