“Let’s hope for your sake I’m not. You’re the one who’ll be training me come tomorrow morning.”
“I’m positive I have my work cut out for me.”
He sets me upright, and I’m aware of every place our bodiesconnect. His hand around my waist, his shoulder beneath my palm, my elbow brushing his forearm. I swear I feel him glide his thumb up my hip where his hand rests.
“There you are,” the princess lilts from behind me. For a second, I think she’s talking to me, but then I notice her eyes are fixed on Jace. Her three ladies stand behind her with Zadyn in tow, dwarfing them all with his height. “We’re about to retire to my chambers for the after-party.” She winks at me.
“Invite only.” The gorgeous blonde, Cece, smiles beatifically.
“Did someone say after-party? Thank gods, I’m getting harassed by every female here. Your court has grown insufferably handsy since the last time I came to visit, Princess.” Kai sidles up to her, eyeing me up like a crocodile.
“Oh, please, Kai.” She rolls her eyes affectionately and turns to me. “Are you coming?”
I’m sure I look as shocked as I feel. I open my mouth to answer, but Jace does it for me.
“Lady Serena has a tutor coming early tomorrow morning.” He glances from me to her. Sorscha looks suspicious but doesn’t ask any follow-ups.
“Very well,” the princess says, her hands folded in front of her. “Perhaps you’ll join us next time.”
She smiles and turns to lead her entourage from our sight. Kai peeks back only to wiggle his fingers at me in farewell.
I turn to Jace angrily.
“You don’t speak for me.”
“You’re not going to the after-party. You have to get up at dawn tomorrow and every day after that. I doubt that’s something you're used to, witch. It’s already past your bedtime.”
I dare a step closer.
“Do not make the mistake of infantilizing me again.”
“Is someone sad she’ll miss the fun?” he mocks me. “Don’t worry, I’ll give you a full recap in the morning.”
“Why do you get to go?” I huff, crossing my arms.
“Who am I to refuse the princess? Besides, I enjoy her little gatherings.” That stupid smug smile on his face has me glaring up at him.
“He’s right, you do have an early day,” Zadyn says. I groan in frustration.
“Not you, too.”
“I know what I’m talking about. It’s already late. Don’t think I’ll go easy on you because you’re tired,” Jace says sternly and steers me toward the door. “Come on, I’ll drop you off on my way to the party.”
“I don’t need a chaperone. Besides, I have Zadyn—he’s worse than a guard dog.”
“I don’t trust you not to get around him. And I definitely don’t trust him to say no to you.”
“You’re a dick,” Zadyn says from my other side. I throw my head back and laugh loudly. He shrugs, glancing down at my surprised face. “You live around a bunch of uncivilized humans for thirty years, you pick up a few things.” He smirks proudly.
We reach our rooms, and as Zadyn and I pass through my door, Jace leans in.
“Dawn. I mean it,” he warns, disappearing around the corner. A moment later, he pops his head back in. “Oh, and leave the guard dog. No distractions in the ring.”
He leaves without so much as a glance at Zadyn. I look at him and shrug apologetically.
“You’ll have to find some other way to occupy your morning,” I tell him, unclasping my earrings and tossing them onto the vanity.
“Sleep sounds like a pretty good use of my time after the week we’ve had.” He stands with his hands in his pockets,looking around the room. I kick off my shoes and groan with relief as I flex through my arches. Zadyn watches me for a moment, then moves to one of the shaggy ottomans in front of the window seat and perches there. “Come here.”
