“Stubborn, willful, with great power at your disposal. Determined to get what you want.” His voice dips low as he slyly glances toward Jace. I follow his eyeline for a moment before snapping my gaze back to him. “Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me. Both your secrets, I should say.” He places a hand over where his heart should be.
“I think you’re mistaken.” I force an amused smile onto my face as I sip my wine.
“That would be a first.” He smirks, crossing one long leg over the other.
“You have no idea what I want.”
“You wear your heart on your sleeve, Dragon Rider. It’s ashame that he’s unavailable. But you know, you can do so much better than a low-born fae rat masquerading as Hand of the King.”
I want to rip out his throat for talking about Jace like that. The pinpricks of my magic begin to gather at my fingertips. I will it to remain subdued.
“You are a queen. And you are fit for a king as powerful as you,” Kylian whispers in my ear, his body suddenly very close.
I beam at him, my voice full of ire when I say, “Let me know if you find one anywhere.”
He stares as I rise from my seat, wine in hand, and tip my head to him.
“Please excuse me.”?*
Without waiting for a response, I file through the tables toward the door. Alone in the abandoned hallway, I drain the rest of my wine and toss the goblet into a nearby potted plant.
Deep breaths, I remind myself. Hold it together until you are alone in your room.
“Serena,” Jace calls from behind me.
My heart sinks, but I don’t turn or slow my pace. He catches up to me with those damned long legs and pulls my face into his hands, forcing me to look at him.
“Hey, hey, hey. Stop,” he whispers.
“A promotion and an engagement. Congratulations.”
“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry—there wasn’t enough time to tell you.” His eyes search my face.
“It’s fine, Jace, you don’t owe me an explanation.” I peel his hands from my cheeks and push past him.
“Yes, I do. Serena, please. Just give me a chance to explain.”
“There’s nothing to explain. This is over. It was over before it even began. So I’m not sure why you’re standing here.”
He gives me an obvious look. “You know it isn’t over. Last night, you almost died?—”
“We both almost died,” I interrupt. “And because of that, I broke the glamour and gave myself away. Because of what we mean to each other. We knew this was coming.”
I shove past him again, my stride steady and my focus ahead.
“And yet you’re still surprised.” He blocks my path, forcing me to skid to a halt.
“I’m not, Jace.” I sigh, closing my eyes. “I’m tired. I’m tired of fighting my feelings for you, knowing I can’t have you. I’m tired of hoping for a miracle that ends with us together. And I’m tired of seeing you dangled in front of me on Sorscha’s arm.” I shake my head. “You know, you said you weren’t in love with her and that your feelings for me were real, but you sure put on a convincing show whenever she’s around.”
“And how am I supposed to act!?” he exclaims. “Appalled? Disgusted by the fact that the king has given me his only daughter and his crown one day? Any feelings toward Sorscha aside, I am grateful to him. For giving me a life I could only dream about.”
“So, I guess a beautiful princess is just a sweet little bonus,” I bite.
“That’s not fair, and you know it.” He seethes as I stalk away.
“Life’s not fair. Get used to it. I wish you all the happiness in the world.”
I wait for his stinging comeback, but instead, he pivots topics.
