“Of course,” she says, then weaves back into the crowd.
I dart back the way I came mere minutes ago, out into the hall, and down an empty corridor, reaching out for the ambassador’s energy. Unlike my mystery pianist, Augie’s signature I know well enough to track. It’s close and flavored with something else—Oh, I see.
Feathered hands on my hips, I take in the sight. Despite the enormous glamoured raven head that rests on my shoulders, I can see through it as clearly as if it wasn’t there at all. And what I find is…me—or at least the glamoured version of me—lips locked with a moth pixie. She has shoulder-length black hair and enormous black eyes. I recognize her as a palace servant, although I don’t know her name. Considering where her hands are on the front of my pants, she thinks we’re well acquainted.
“Augie! What the hell is this?”
The two pull away with a startle. Augie has the decency to look surprised, but the pixie doesn’t seem at all alarmed to be caught kissing the prince by an oversized raven. Augie faces me but keeps an arm around the pixie’s waist. She, in turn, slides her hands up his glamoured chest, beneath the pink lacy shirt, and over his tattoos—no,mytattoos.
“Sorry, Franco,” Augie says with a crooked grin. “This is Seri. Seri, you know the prince.”
She offers me a smile and somehow manages to curtsy without taking her hands off my ambassador. “Your Highness.”
My eyes shutter. “Wait, so you know he’s not actually the prince? And that Iam?”
She nods and plants a seductive kiss on Augie’s jaw. “Augie-boy tells me everything,” she says in a juvenile voice.
I quirk a brow. “Augie-boy?”
“We’re into this sort of thing,” Augie says with a blush.
“You’reintothis sort of thing? Does that mean the two of you have been an item? For how long?”
Augie shrugs. “I told you I’ve started seeing someone. We’ve been together…maybe a month now?”
Seri swats his chest with a mock gasp. “Two months, you dirty rake.”
“Two months,” he says, a sheepish smile curling his lips.
I wave a dismissive hand. “Well, you should have told me sooner. I’d have offered you my congratulations.”
“Thank you, Your Highness. Say, do you mind if I keep the glamour overnight?”
I narrow my eyes. “The night is far from over, Augie. Why aren’t you at the ball on my throne like we agreed?”
He gives me a pleading look. “I’m so sorry, but it’s ridiculously boring in there. Stuffy men started bringing their daughters and nieces for introductions. All the while I kept looking over at Seri.” He turns toward her, a sappy look on his face, one I doubt my visage has ever been graced with before, glamour or no. “She looked so cute serving wine. I couldn’t resist her for long.”
I roll my eyes. “You can’t go around kissing people in public while you’re wearing my body, and you need to get back to the ball. You’resupposedto be tolerating those introductions for me. It’s what we agreed. The humans want their prince and I’m having too much fun not being me tonight. Besides, you said youwantedto be a prince for a day.”
“You’re right. I’m sorry.” Augie takes Seri’s hand and tugs her forward. They pause before me, and Augie lowers his voice. “So, what do you say? Can Seri and I borrow the glamour tonight?”
Seri makes a purring sound and runs her hands over Augie’s chest again, her moth wings buzzing with excitement. Then her eyes flick to me. “You could join, if that’s what’s holding you back.”
My eyes widen as they fall on Augie—onme—and I watch myself wink with a seductive grin. I cock my head to the side. “Is it weird I’m turned on by this?”
“It’s only weird if you make it weird,” Augie says, biting his lower lip. Something I’m sure I never do.
“It’s definitely weird,” I say with a chuckle and take a step back. “Go finish your job, Augie. If you two can manage to keep your hands off each other for the rest of the ball, then I’ll let you…have your way with my glamour.”
Seri lets out a delighted squeal that Augie swallows with a kiss.
“Stop, you two, it’s gross. Now, get back to the ball.” They giggle and dart down the corridor. “Separately, please.”
Seri tosses a pout over her shoulder but releases Augie’s hand and falls back behind him. I follow at a slower pace, ensuring the two return to their proper places when we reach the throne room. As soon as Augie settles back onto the throne, the room’s energy returns to what it had been before—excitement mingled with desperation and a hearty dose of desire.
Meanwhile, I return to the shadows and my search for the mystery girl.
13
