The world outside my hotel window feels different the next morning. Bigger. Brighter. And it isn’t just from the fresh layer of snow glistening beneath the surprisingly clear and sunny day. Nor is it my ego in the wake of the great feat I performed on William’s cock last night. While that continues to give me no small amount of satisfaction, I’ve sunk into a steady calm I haven’t experienced since I set off on my journey to Faerwyvae. After so much went wrong in my efforts to make it to my book tour, and then the tension between me and William, it feels like things are going right.
Not only have I officially secured my two-point lead in our bet, but—for the first time—it doesn’t seem impossible to beat William for the publishing contract without the bet. Yesterday’s signing showed me I truly am as popular in Faerwyvae as my publisher said I was. Maybe I was being hasty in deeming William the clear winner in book sales. Maybe hisoverwhelming popularity at our first two locations was a matter of circumstance alone.
At our signing at Flight of Fancy, my readers didn’t even know if I’d show up. Rumors of my absence had already circulated. At the university, William was a favorite for personal reasons, due to his alumni status.
Maybe I undervalued myself from the start of this tour.
By afternoon, it’s time to leave for our next destination. I’m buzzing with excitement as we gather on the train platform, waiting to board. To solidify my new sense of confidence, Queen Gemma has come to see us off. And byusI meanme.
We chat about books and I give her some personal anecdotes about my writing process. She eats them up, hanging on my every word.
I still can’t believe a queen is this enamored with me.
Time and again, I catch William’s eye. He’s not too far from me, conversing animatedly with Zane, Monty, and Daphne. Heat simmers in his gaze whenever our eyes lock, which makes my breath quicken. I wasn’t sure if things would feel awkward between us today, or if his behavior toward me would change. We haven’t spoken much, but things do feel different. Better. Softer.
Or maybe this is yet another shift in my perception. He proved he meant it when he said he could kiss me. Which means he’s attracted to me. More than that, he…
He wanted me.
He wanted me so badly, I hardly had to touch him to get him off.
I can’t help the grin that curls my lips. I meet William’s eyes and his narrow, as if he can read my mind. Yet the smile that remains on his lips is warm. Perhaps even a little bashful.
Gemma folds me into a spine-crushing hug as boarding begins.
“Thank you for coming to Vernon,” she says, releasing me. “I hope you know how deeply I appreciate you and your work. Your books really did change my life. They were an anchor to happiness when I needed it most.”
My throat tightens at the praise. As much as I could bask in it for hours, I realize I’ve yet to lavish praise of my own. Praise she very much deserves. “I hope you know you’ve changed my life too. I’ve heard from so many of my readers in Faerwyvae that you championed my books. I don’t think I’d be here if not for you. So thank you.”
Her eyes glaze as she presses a hand to her heart. “I’m going to repeat that for bragging rights to anyone who will listen.”
“Please, brag away,” I say with a chuckle.
With a final wave, Gemma departs and I join my companions on the train.
Our next destinationis one of the northernmost cities in Faerwyvae. It’s a city I read about in my brochure: Lumenas. Nestled at the very tip of the Star Court, it’s famous for its entertainment and nightlife, with a focus on the performing arts. And it’s a two-day train ride from Vernon.
Thankfully, we procure a luxury compartment. It’s three times as large as the ones we’ve ridden in thus far, with wide cushioned seats, footrests, and accommodations to transition to a sleeping compartment, courtesy of the fold-out cots, the bunks that pull down from the walls, and the privacy screens that slide into place. I suspect we have Zane to thank for the upgrade. They’ve decided to join us on our journey. Turns out Lumenas is the city Zane calls home.
All the envy I felt for the beautiful antlered fae yesterday has died, and now I’m back to being starstruck. After how they conspired to get me alone with William last night, I no longer suspect there is anything romantic between them and the poet.
The mood is light between our party as our train rolls along for the next two days. We chat. We drink. We eat. When we’re bored, we play cards or charades. When we’re tired of each other’s company we read or nap. At night, I claim one of the bunks and Daphne curls up beside me. During the day, I can’t keep my eyes off William, and I suspect it’s the same for him. He always has a smirk ready for me, sometimes a wink too.
I smile back most of the time, though once—when he meets my eyes over the porcelain cup of coffee he’s sipping from—I display a crude gesture for only him to see, involving my right hand fisting an invisible girth. After which he chokes on his coffee, his cheeks blazing.
Bad girl, he mouths across the train compartment, our exchange lost on our distracted companions.
I give him an innocent shrug, then let my eyes dip suggestively to his lap.
When my gaze sweeps back to his face, I catch him biting his lip as he shifts in his seat. Then, keeping each word slow and exaggerated, he mouths,When I get you alone, I’m going to?—
I never find out what William’s going to do to me, for Zane catches sight of him. “Hmm? Did you say something?”
“Hmm?” William blinks a few times. “Nothing.”
I purse my lips to hide my laugh and watch as he falls into conversation with Zane. He seems so different than he normally does, and I think a lot of it has to do with his friend’s presence. He’s discarded his aloof demeanor, his arrogant quips. He smiles more. Jokes more easily. Teases in a less cutting way.
I’m a bit stir-crazy by the last leg of our journey, so I nearly weep with relief when our train finally pulls into the LumenasCity Station. The morning is bright, the weather mild and refreshing. Warm compared to the Winter Court, but not nearly as sweltering as the Solar Court.
