“The fangs retract.” I peered at Zadyn in the mirror, who, in turn, bared his teeth and offered me a demonstration. “See?”
But that wasn’t the most concerning alteration.
“What’s wrong with myeyes?”
I gasped when I took them in. Dark purple lined the outer irises, circling the deep lavender before bleeding into a hypnotic magenta around the pupils. I stared in horror as they dilated, becoming tiny black slits similar to my dragon’s. I blinked, and they returned to black dots. All my life, my eyes had been plain old chocolate brown. These were the eyes of apredator. With starry flecks floating around the irises, my eyes now held an entire solar system. An entire world. Mesmerizing and mysterious and ancient.
“The slits are the sole indicator of a bonded Blackblood.”
“I’m terrifying,” I breathed, taking in the full picture.
“You’re stunning.” His eyes linked with mine in the mirror. Too concerned to offer a thank you, I turned to face him.
“If people see me like this, they’ll know what I am instantly.” I ran my fingers down the silken locks. I had hoped for a little more time to adjust before slapping a blaring target on my back.
“I can put a temporary glamour on you, more of a damper, really. It should cover up the eyes and the skin,” he said, tilting my chin up to examine my face. “But it will fade, so we’ll have to keep redoing it until we find a more permanent solution.”
When Zadyn was through with me, I looked a little more normal.
“Something different with your hair?” Kai asks innocently, snapping me back to the present moment. I glare at him.
Zadyn had done a well enough job at glamouring my eyes and lessening the iridescent skin. My irises were brown again, although there was a hint of something deeper beneath, giving them a warmer tone than usual. I prayed the glamour would hold until we were alone again, and he could give it a refresh.
I ignore Kai, glancing around at the endless rows of red-clothed tables situated throughout the room.
“I need a drink,” Mar grouses beside me.
“Same,” I say.
The two of us extricate ourselves from the pack and head toward the refreshments.
“My lady.”
I turn to find Kylian behind me, his towering figure once again naked from the waist up. Tonight, he wears a necklace ofbrilliant golden suns stretched across his broad chest, from shoulder to shoulder. At the center of each one is a large crimson ruby. His gilded crown is of the same make, situated perfectly on his mess of dark hair.
The sight is breathtaking.
“King Kylian.” I give a small curtsy, never taking my eyes off him. Mar pauses a few feet ahead of me, looking back at us.
Kylian reaches for my hand, drowning it in his own and bringing it to his lips. I fight the flood of heat that kisses up my skin from where his mouth touches, knowing he’s throwing his siren power at me full force. I hate to admit the effort it takes on my part to resist.
“You look well despite the events of last night,” he murmurs in a dangerously sensual voice. His eyes roam over my scantily clad body.
“How kind,” I say flatly. He lowers my hand but does not release it.
“The feast is about to begin. I would be honored if you would sit by me. There is much I wish to learn about you.”
“Going to pester me for my name again?” I gently peel my hand from his, quirking my brow.
He gives a soft, lovely laugh and leans in to whisper in my ear, “Oh, I already know exactly who you are.”
My stomach clenches.
I don’t know how much he saw in the maze last night, but he certainly caught the tail end of my display. Definitely heard the banshee shriek. Heard me wailing Jace’s name over and over as I racked the earth with my agony and blew those creatures apart. He saw the black blood leaking from my nose despite Jace’s effort to shield me from his view. I don’t know if he got close enough to see the purple-slitted eyes, the dead giveaway of a bonded rider, but he knows a lot. And he’s not about to show his hand. He wants to play a little while longer.
“Lady Serena Accostia, cousin of the king,” he says earnestly, ocean eyes wide with false naiveté.
Oh, he’s good. Which means I have to be better.
