The crowd stares at me, mute for the longest moment of my life. The shock is palpable, and even without opening up my senses I taste it on the tip of my tongue. Bitter as dark chocolate.
Oh gods. This is the end of me.
I search the crowd for Vera, as if that could save me the humiliation. The moment our gazes meet, she lifts her chin, hersteel-colored eyes fierce, as if she’s trying to tell me without words to keep my head up.
Then a clap echoes somewhere. And another. I look around, trying to find the person who clapped, but more people are clapping now and finally, the crowd starts cheering for me, too.
Keeping my chin high, I return to my space, and Noire calls the next name.
I’m taut like a bowstring when I finally get off the dais. Vera meets me there, alone.
“The dramatics. Noire has a taste for it from time to time. As I said, the nobles like a show,” she says to me. When I don’t respond, lost in thought, she eyes me. “Are you alright?”
I clear my throat and brush a hand over the silky smooth expanse of my dress. “Yes. The crowd hated me. It’s worse than I thought.”
Vera rests her hand on my forearm. “They didn’t hate you. In the end, they cheered for you the same way they did for other contestants. I understand it’s a lot. But we’re only getting started. Now that all the participants have been introduced properly to the society, everyone will be networking and gathering support. It’s very important we meet every single person of influence tonight.”
I bite the inside of my cheek and nod. I’m ready to do whatever Vera tells me, as long as it ensures my win.
I can’t back down now.
A voice comes from behind us. “Excuse me, gorgeous.”
Both of us turn. A tall young fae with deep dark eyes and fingers full of stacked rings stands in front of us. He wears a tailored purple suit with a white silk shirt underneath that’s unbuttoned all the way to the middle of his chest to show off his elaborate eagle tattoo.
He looks familiar, but I can’t remember why…
All of his attention is on Vera. He flashes her the most dazzling smile. “I’m sure I know you from somewhere. Have we by any chance made love at some point in the past?”
I blink. He did not…just say that.
Vera doesn’t even bat an eye. “Sweetheart, if you’ve had the honor of experiencing the comfort of my bed, you wouldn’t have to ask me. You’d remember it as it would be the height of your life.”
She stirs us away from the audacious man. Of course, that doesn’t deter this asshole.
“You’re absolutely right, my sincerest apologies,” he says, following us. “Would you consider granting me that honor, though? Maybe even both of you? I would honestly sell my soul to the spirits of the gods for one night of your company. Considering you, Phoenix darling, may not have much time left, I hope you will consider entertaining me, a handsome fool mesmerized by your beauty?”
We both come to a halt.
I whirl on my heel. “If you don’t stop talking, I’ll cut your tongue out—painfully slow, might I add—and feed it to the first homeless dog I find.” He’s amused by my threat. It only enrages me further. Who the fuck does he think he is? “But I’m curious—does this nonsense ever work for you?”
He bats his eyelashes at me. “Has anyone ever told you your eyes are the loveliest color? And yes, it does. I’m hurt you’d even ask that. Usually ladies find me irresistible.”
He winks.
That bastard has the audacity to wink at me.
I’m so stunned I forget to be furious.
Vera steps in between us. “What do you mean she doesn’t have much time left?”
His smile is as bright as the midsummer sun. “Well, she doesn’t have much time left because I was hired to ensure she doesn’t see the end of the trials.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
PHOENIX
Vera drags the guy by his lapels to the nearest room. She shuts the door and turns the key inside the lock.
