“Do or die, Ceec?” Kai twirls a lock of raven hair around his long finger.
“Do, obviously.” She brings a golden goblet to her lips and takes a slow sip.
“Kiss someone in the room for ten seconds,” Ilsa lilts. We all look at her and burst into laughter.
Cece eases back in her chair, contemplating as her gaze travels around the table before snagging on Zadyn, seated between us.
Her hand shoots out to grab him by the collar, hauling hislips to hers. Momentarily awestruck, Zadyn freezes, his eyes wide in surprise. I, however, am not the least bit surprised. When she deepens the kiss, Zadyn’s eyes drift shut, one hand moving to her head, the other to her waist, drawing her closer.
I know Cece isn’t doing it for show. But then again, Zadyn doesn’t look like he’s having the worst time, either.
The group chants as I gape, open-mouthed at the display. “Five! Four! Three! Two! One!”
Cece doesn’t release him there. At least two more seconds pass, and just before she pulls away, her tongue flicks out to lick his lips playfully. She slumps back in her chair, smug and self-satisfied. Everyone around us hoots and hollers.
“Damn, Ceec.” Dover laughs, tipping his glass to her and drinking.
I chance a look at Zadyn, who is suppressing a bashful smile, cheeks flushed in a way that makes him look boyish.
“I think it’s Serena’s turn.” Cece eyes me, her honeyed voice dripping in challenge. I’m sure she’s used to people shrinking beneath those cunning green eyes. But not me.
“Do.” I straighten, answering boldly.
“Brave female,” Dover commends with a silent clap.
“Serena, my love. You may wear anything in this room,” Kai croons, arching a dark eyebrow. “Exceptfor clothing.”
I roll my eyes at him.
“Could you be more obvious, Kai?” Mar teases.
“About what? The fact that I find Lady Serena to be a truly staggering female or the fact that my greatest joy as of late is making her blush?”
Instead of a witty comeback, I stride over to the window beside Jace, grabbing hold of the rose-colored brocade curtains. With a hard tug, the heavy drape falls into my waiting arms. I turn to Kai and dump them into his seated lap.
“Hold this,” I command.
Excitement dances in his ocean eyes as he rises to his feet and lifts the curtain, his arms outstretched. I tug at the laces of my dress, and it pools to the ground in a heap. Kai’s eyes start to wander as I slip out of my underclothes.
“No peeking,” I snap.
When I’m fully nude behind the drape, I wrap it around myself, like a towel tucked beneath my armpits. The group applauds as I do a presentational twirl.
“How chic, cousin!” Sorscha giggles as I pad over to my seat, clutching the material together at my chest. Zadyn shakes his head at me affectionately and I shrug back at him.
“Dover, you’re up,” I tell him.
“I’ve got one, I’ve got one,” Kai says, twisting around in his chair to peer at Dover, who is perched on the back of the couch.
“You just went, Kai!” Marideth objects.
“And I didn’t even choose yet!” Dover protests, holding out his hands.
“Oh, Dove, we all know you always choose do, so let’s just skip it and get to the good part.”
He pauses dramatically. We wait.
“A full streak, if you please. One lap around the grounds.”
