“Your type is anything that breathes.”
“Maybe I’m reformed.” He smiles faintly, tipping his glass to his lips.
“You can have anyone at this party.”
“Are you offering?” he teases, eyes dazzling.
“Correction. Anyone but me. I’m off limits.”
“Don’t we all know it,” he mumbles. “Honestly, I’ve already had half the females in this room. Not looking to stroll down memory lane tonight.”
“Poor little siren boy.” I take the crown from his head and plop it on my own. “So far above the masses.”
“Don’t mock me,Little Miss Can’t-Make-Up-Her-Mind.”
“Excuseme?”
“Don’t kid a kidder, sweets.” He tips my chin up. “I’ve seen that look before.”
He nods toward Zadyn, standing near the dance floor, wrapped up in conversation with Cece.
“You don’t know anything.” He purses his lips, unconvinced. “Let’s circle back to you. Your favorite subject,” I say.
“Always happy to divulge my deepest, darkest secrets.”
“Of course you are. Would this newfound celibacy have anything to do with a certain Pirate King?”
“Now that”—he steals back his crown—“is a subject I refuse to broach tonight.”
“Kai.” I clasp my heart. “I think she’s changing you.”
“Not that deep, savior. She’s simply a puzzle I am intent on solving. And by solving, I mean getting very naked in my bed.” He gives me a double brow wag and polishes off his drink.
I sneak another peek at Zadyn, monitoring his reaction to Cece in a silver gown similar to mine, except with a plunging neckline accentuating her absurd cleavage. Jealously bubbles up inside of me as she tugs him toward the dance floor.
I stand. “I’m gonna go get some fresh air.”
Kai tips his empty glass to me. “You do that.”
My fingers curl into fists as Cece slinks closer to Zadyn with her damned long legs and perfectbust-to-waist ratio.
Freaking fae barbie.
I bite back my frustration and force myself to keep walking.
They make no sense together. Cece is vapid and vain. Not Zadyn’s type at all. Not that I really know his type. But I guess if he’s in love with me like he said, then it gives me somewhat of a baseline.
The party fades away as I make my way onto the crowded terrace and down the stone steps leading to the gardens. To my relief, I find them empty. That is until I stumble upon a familiar shape beneath a weeping willow.
Jace is seated on a swing beneath the drooping vines, idly pushing himself back and forth. I draw closer, undetected, until a twig snaps beneath my heel and his head flies up. ?*
“I didn’t think anyone would be out here.”
“I had the same thought.”
I drop the hem of my shimmery gown and sink into the empty swing beside him. “How are you doing?”
For the first time tonight, I get to appreciate how handsome he looks—the way his lush, velvet onyx jacket molds to his shoulders and arms, his polished war medals pinned beneath the silver king’s collar draped around his neck. His dark hair is slicked back for a change, making his proud facial features stand out. He looks like a brooding warrior prince.
