“Nearly two hundred.”
“Wow.” I chuckle.
“That’s considered young for a fae!”
I shake my head, trying to wrap my mind around that.
“Two hundred years is still a long time. You must have tried it all by now.”
He smiles warmly. “Not all.”
“You look so young like this.” I reach up and brush away a stray lock of caramel hair. It's the most beautiful color—strands of gold, copper, and brown blended together to create a warm, rich hue. He’s got that effortless kind of hair that parts downthe middle in a swoopy wave that you just want to run your fingers through.
“We age differently. If I were human, I would probably pass for someone in my late twenties, like you.”
“How do witches age?”
“Depends, really. Redbloods age slower than humans, but not as slow as fae. Bluebloods and Blackbloods are similar to fae in the aging process. Once they reach maturity, the changes become infinitesimal.”
“So I could—” I trail off, and he finishes for me.
“It’s possible for you to live a very, very long life.”
“I don’t even know if I would want that. Time means nothing without people you care about. Who care for you,” I say, letting my hand drop from his shoulder. He eyes me for a long time, weighing what to say next.
“There are people here who care.” His words are firm, his eyes soft.
“I knowyoucare. It’s in your job description.” I smile ruefully, my gaze inadvertently catching Jace’s from where he stands across the dance floor beside Sorscha. We both quickly look away, and then my eye catches on the dais.
A fae male looking a year or two younger than Zadyn is standing in front of the queen. She looks up at him as he speaks and then falls into the empty throne beside her. His posture is the male version of hers. Disinterested, lax, and bored to tears. But the way he sprawls his legs and leans back into the armrest is roguish and sensual.
“Is that the prince?” I ask, pulling Zadyn’s eyes from my face. He nods.
“Have you met him before?” I wonder.
“Not officially,” he says distractedly.
Something about the prince feels dangerous. A dark aura rolls off of him and curls around me like an exotic snake readyto devour its prey. I can’t break my stare, and as if my thoughts summoned his attention, he stares directly into my eyes. He holds my gaze too long to feel casual, and I finally break away, turning to Zadyn.
“I think I need some air,” I tell him.
He nods his head and we start weaving through the thicket of gorgeous fae. Their collective beauty, combined with the intoxicating music and romantic candlelight suddenly feels overwhelming.
We approach a pair of French doors leading out onto a stone patio. Just before we pass through, Zadyn is stopped by Lord Gronwen and a petite fae female with golden curls and a devastating heart-shaped face. He pries Zadyn from my grip to introduce him to some “people he should know.” Swallowed by the small group, Zadyn strains his neck to keep eyes on me. I smile and wave him off, pointing to the door. He nods and resumes his conversation while I step out into the glorious night.
The air is perfect. Mild but not cold. I wonder about the seasons here and if they have them. I picture the grounds with a light dusting of snow over the massive trees and sprawling lawns. It would be beautiful.
The star constellations look completely different here. They dangle a bit closer to the ground. Shine a tad brighter. But the moon steals the show, a glowing orb that dazzles all who look upon it. I brace my hands over the smooth stone railing and breathe deeply as the dull roar of the crowd and the music thrums behind me.
“Who might you be?” purrs a voice like silk. I turn to face Prince Kai.
Up close, he’s truly devastating. Black hair that falls perfectly around his ears without any detectable styling, ocean blue eyes, and high cheekbones. He has a small scarunder his left eye, but it just makes him look ridiculously sexy.
“Sorry, I don’t talk to strangers.” Tossing my long hair over my shoulder, I turn back to face the flawlessly groomed hedge maze below. A dark chuckle and the sound of footsteps coast toward me as he takes up a spot at my side, assuming my exact posture. I do my best not to look at him, but the pull is strong.
“Tell me your name, and we won’t be strangers anymore.” His voice is pure, unadulterated flirtation.
“Alright, I’ll start.” He angles his body to face mine, leaning on the railing with one elbow. Amusement twinkles in his hypnotic eyes.
