Marideth trudges over ungracefully and bellies down on the carpet, throwing her face in Ilsa’s lap.
“I’m never drinking Poison again.” Her voice is muffled in her friend’s underskirt.
“You tapped out early, Mar,” Kai tuts. “I’m surprised at you.”
She lifts herself onto her elbows to glare at him.
“Forgive me for not being able to hold my own next to two males who drink themselves stupid on any given night.”
“He’s right, Mar, you usually make it to sunrise,” Dover pipes up.
“I made it long enough to win this from you.” She wiggles her eyebrows and strokes her collar seductively.
“That was supposed to be a gift for Wyneth.” Kai breaks into laughter. “Wait until she sees it on Mar. You’re done for, Dove.”
“His betrothed,” the princess provides graciously. I nod.
“Who here is really going to tattle?” Mar counters, unruffled.
“Your betrothed doesn’t mind you partying in your underwear with a bunch of beautiful females?” I ask the handsome male beside me.
Kai breaks into a brilliant smile. Dover looks at me like a toddler caught with his hand in the cookie jar.
“Wyneth knows she’s always invited to our debauched little gatherings. She just declines, declines, declines.” Marideth stands, answering for him. She plops down in Dover’s lap and lays a big kiss on his lips. I gawk at them. When she pulls back and wipes a thumb over her lips, his eyes are glazed.
“It suits you.” He reaches up to run his fingers over thedazzling necklace. They stare at each other like they’re the only two in the room.
The maid returns with a tray of tea and a slew of servants in tow, wheeling in carts of delicious-smelling food.
“Oh, thank the gods.” Marideth leaps up, dashing over to the trays of miniature quiches, finger sandwiches, and colorful parfaits. Dover chuckles, shaking his head, some color returning to his previously pale face.
The maid places a steaming cup of tea in the princess’s hands and sets the pot down on the small coffee table between us.
“I need to guzzle a whole pot of that before I can even stand,” Cece murmurs in her silky voice. As she leans forward to pour herself a cup, her breasts nearly spill out of her dress, coming dangerously close to showing nip. Even in her hungover state, she’s beautiful.
“So what happened after I passed out?” Marideth says, around a mouthful of food. She plops down onto the cushioned window nook.
Kai and Dover take turns recounting the night for both Marideth and me. I listen, one detail more shocking than the next. I hadn’t expected fae lords and ladies to party like rebel teenagers, sneaking booze and drugs into the basement for a co-ed all-nighter. They sip their hangover cure, launching into fits of laughter every so often, as they recall the hazy details of the evening. I smile in silence, listening to their comfortable banter.
“Shall we picnic later?” the princess asks the group after some time.
“How about tomorrow?” Kai suggests. “Dove and I are going riding with your father.”
“Of course.” She exhales loudly. “You already know what this is about.” Setting her teacup down, she props her head onher hand and looks at him. His smile fades, replaced by something more somber.
“What do you plan to say?” she asks.
“Nothing unless he brings it up first.” Kai stands, moving toward the tray of food to pop a raspberry in his mouth. He stuffs his hands in his pocket, stomach muscles illuminated by the sunlight peeking through the half-drawn curtains. Sorscha twists in her seat to look at him.
“Kai,” she cautions, a hint of annoyance lacing her tone.
“Sorscha,” he mimics. “There’s no point in worrying about what hasn’t happened. He may say nothing. Besides, he thinks I’m a bad influence on you.”
“You are,” Marideth chimes from her nook, chewing loudly. They both shoot her a look.
When Kai speaks, his voice is reassuring. “We don’t have to discuss this right now. I give you my word that I won’t commit to anything before we talk it over, alright?”
She nods, the concern fading from her expression as she faces us again.
