“The pleasure is mine, Captain. Cousin.” She nods to me in departure as they stride to the dance floor.
I look to Zadyn, unsure if we’re supposed to stand here and make small talk with the unsocial queen and the princess’s pretty acolytes.
“Go,” says the king, gesturing to the sea of graceful bodies. “Enjoy the evening.”
I nod to him gratefully before Zadyn leads me to the dance floor. He pulls me into his arms, one hand resting against my lower back and the other clasping mine.
“I’m not sure I can dance in this dress,” I warn him.
“Indulge me.” He smirks, shrugging.?*
I roll my eyes but move my hand to his shoulder. I try to keep up with his waltzing, but between my coordination skills and the Pink Poison, I’m about as graceful as a baby deer.
“I learned some interesting facts on the hunt earlier.”
“Really?” I ask, gazing up at him. Even in the heels, he’s got at least a foot on me. “That’s great! I knew you’d make a goodman on the inside. What did you learn?” He rolls his eyes but bends his head to whisper in my ear. I try to ignore the tingle that spreads down my spine when his breath meets my skin.
“Gossip, mostly. The queen wants to marry Sorscha off to one of her sons. Preferably the second. The first is already King of Vod and refuses to take a wife. Kai is a highly sought-after bachelor, but he’s also a notorious ladies’ man.”
“The queen wants to marry Sorscha to her step-brother? That’s weird. I’m guessing the king doesn’t approve?”
“I think the prince’s stay is going to be the deciding factor. Kai and Sorscha have been friends since childhood, but he only comes to court every few years to visit. With Sorscha next in line for the throne, this would be a power move for Vod. A king in their stronghold and king consort in Aegar.”
He spins me around and pulls me close again. I try to catch my breath.
“I hate to say this—” I glance over to see Jace twirling Sorscha effortlessly as she stares up into his eyes. They both look like they were made for the dance floor, and I nearly lose my train of thought watching their grace. “Butshe doesn’t seem like the ruler type. She seems like a princess in every definition of the word.”
“I agree. And I think the king does, too. From what I gleaned, he’s reluctant toward the match but is trying to remain realistic about his daughter’s capabilities. She’s a High Fae royal, which means if she marries and performs the Bloodfast ceremony with her spouse, she will come into massive generational power. But the king questions her ability to lead. Not that Kai would make a much better ruler. There have been numerous conversations with the council over this. They don’t have faith in her leadership. But unless the king can find a suitable option soon, Sorscha will be engaged to the prince before he starts his journey back to Vod.”
I imagine the situation of having to wed someone for political gain. Not for love. Not even for a green card. How sad it must be.
“And Gronwen and Conwell just handed over this information willingly?” I ask doubtfully.
Zadyn shrugs. “I think they like to gossip.”
“Do you think they’re trustworthy? The council?” Zadyn guides me through the steps of the dance. “They know a lot about my…situation. And Lord Gronwen—something feels off with him.”
“I don’t know if I trust any of them yet. But I think you’re right about spending time with them. I’d rather have my enemies close, if that’s what they are.” He spins me out, and at the last second, when I think I might lose my balance and go flying, he jerks me back in and catches me in a low dip. My breath whooshes out of me as I stare up at him, wide-eyed and wonder-struck.
“But the king trusts them. So there’s also that to consider,” he says in conclusion.
“You’re good at this,” I say in surprise as he pulls me to stand. The music finishes, and the crowd begins to applaud.
“I had nearly two hundred years of practice before I found myself in a world whose definition of dancing is gyrating and grinding.”
I laugh. “I know, us earthlings are so uncivilized. But did you totally hate it?”
It’s his turn to laugh now. “Oh, there were many drunken nights where I loved it.”
“I bet the fae of your world would shudder to hear such a thing.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure. You should see the kind of dancing they do at the pleasure halls.” He smiles boyishly, then leans in, his voice hushed in secret. “And I can guarantee everyone at this party has been at least once in their lifetime.”
“What makes you think that?” I try to suppress my smile.
“Because fae live for centuries. And after a while, life gets dull. It’s an effort to keep finding meaning and pleasure in the mundane. The only way to stay sane is by trying new things,” he trails off suggestively.
“How old are you?” I ask.
