And there he was.
Leaned back and relaxed.
Engrossed in some tantalizing conversation with a beautiful woman Elysia had never seen before atherfavorite table. The warmth of the oil lamp chandelier created sensuous shadows that danced across their forms. Elysia barely paid the woman any mind, though. How could she while her heart caught and fractured on the light playing against his green eyes? How he suddenly leaned forward in one fast motion, fingers pressing into the woman’s thigh as if she were the only thinghecould see.
When she looked back at this moment, Elysia would say that she really hadn’t meant to do it. She was sure some vengeful spirit had overtaken her body. Probably Beatriz’s, if she was being honest. Seemed like something she might do. But it was her own hand that ripped the blade out and let it fly straight over the balcony’s edge as if she truly were the sister of Kava’s Shadow.
The blade shattered the thin glass that the prince’s strong fingers were wrapped around and vibrated as it struck deep into the wooden table beneath. The woman screamed, her chair clattering to the ground as she threw herself back and away from the table. The rest of the restaurant seemed to inhale one last breath before their fear broke, and everyone was shouting and shoving to escape out the exits.
In the center of the chaos, the Crown Prince remained unmoving with smug satisfaction lifting the corners of his mouth. The cacophony slowed until the only sound was that of her blade now spinning between his fingers.
Elysia swallowed hard, ducking back beneath the privacy of the balustrades. Eyes glued to her dagger in his hand, she watched it glint as it spun around and round.I shouldn’t have done that. Why did I do that?
Her forehead hit against the wooden board. She should’ve run for it while the rabble threw chairs and elbows in their stampede for the door. Not a single soul remained in the dining room now besides the prince himself.
He was alone.
Someone had just thrown a dagger at the Crown Prince of Kava, and there was not a single guard throwing the bastard beneath a table to protect him or charging up the stairs to where the dagger had clearly been thrown from.
Elysia closed her eyes, fighting back her panic and instant disappointment in herself. Her magic was a fiend with no regard for her well-being. Andshewas a drunk, jealous idiot who walked with open arms right into the prince’s trap. He’d lured her the same as any of the creatures he trapped in the woods. And she’d fallen for it. She shook her head miserably, hating herself even more now that her foul behavior had led to this.
Amusement vibrated in the prince’s broad chest, the sound carrying up over the balcony to her ears. “Real shame for you that I’ll have to keep the dagger. Only seems fair, considering you tried to kill me.”
Elysia snorted, shaking her head. As if she would ever try to kill him.As if she would miss.She’d aimed perfectly even if he didn’t believe it. Reaching up, she slapped her hand onto the rough wood and pulled herself up. Dizzy from the too fast movement, she grabbed on with both hands, swaying a bit on her feet.
The prince’s brow quirked as he took in her rumpled and unsteady appearance. “Bad night?” His eyes stuck on her much too large trousers. “Do I even want to know whose those are?”
She smiled sweetly. “Wouldn’t you like to know?” Let him think she was fucking someone else. See howheliked it.
The prince’s eyes narrowed. “Are you going to come down here, then? I’d say you at least owe me a conversation.”
Her fingers gripped the wood tighter. “I oweyoua conversation?That’srich.”
His jaw tensed. Stepping closer to the balcony and into the light, he tried again. “Fine. Webothowe each other a conversation.” He paused, looking strained. “Please, Elysia, can you just not be difficult this once?”
Elysia threw her head back and laughed. Her body flowed back then forward with the sound, draping itself over the balcony’s edge. “Me? I’m the difficult one? Oh, you are funny, Prince.”
She swung her legs over and let herself slide right off the balcony, landing softly on her feet with only the slightest wobble. Her head spun, but she closed her eyes until it passed. She would not be vomiting again.
The prince stood mere steps away, emotions flitting through his eyes.
Awe. Longing. Anger.
She stood, slinking over to a table and leaning against it. Suddenly hot, she shoved up the thick, heavy knit sleeves of her sweater. The room slanted, but she ignored it, keeping her eyes on the prince. Exhaustion kept bleeding in, making her feel fuzzy and heavy all at once.If I’m not going to sleep, then I need another drink.
Blowing past the prince, she sauntered to the empty bar, making sure to give his shoulder a solid knock as she swept past. He followed on her heels now, his hands shoved into his pockets.
She found a bottle of wine, tugging on the cork until it popped free. Elysia watched the prince’s mouth twitch as the wine glugged softly, pouring out into a glass. Bringing the glassto her mouth, she finally snapped. “What? Having a laugh at how easily you played me this evening?”
A full grin broke across his face, one hand brushing against the stubble peppering his chin. Green eyes filled with mirth, he stole the wine out of her hands, taking a sip for himself. “I didn’t think there was a chance in all the realms you’d fall for it.”
Elysia looked at him darkly. “My fucking magic fell for it just fine.”
Sarcasm entered his tone. “Right. The magic.”
“Yes, the magic.” Her expression dared him to contradict her.
“Definitely has nothing to do with the fact that you smell like you rolled around in a bottle of gin all night.” His face went pensive. “I think the last time I saw you even close to this drunk was at your mother’s birthday party last year. Remember that one, Lys?” His lips lifted with suggestion.
