Kaia lets out a dreamy sigh. “Now that's a man who can have his way with me.” She stares off in the distance. “Those green eyes and strong arms…”
“Kaia!” My brows raise. “I’m surprised.”
“He’s a bit too honorable to stop by a place like this.” She shrugs. “All men have needs eventually.”
“He’s taken a sudden liking to me, but I don’t trust it. Nor his king,” I tell her the truth.
Kaia giggles. “Then we need to practice your seduction skills.” She sets down her wine glass, reaching out and untying my corset in the front, pushing my breasts together. “You did much better than that prudish girl I first met at the tavern.” Kaia tucks in my dress. “But you canalwaysdo a bit more.”
“What kind of seduction skills?” I stand still, letting her work.
She huffs a laugh. “You think I sit on men’s laps for fun?” Kaia steps away. “I pickpocket them! One well-placed kiss, and I’m sneaking off with all of his coin.”
“Is that what you meant by a little bit of this, a little bit of that?”
“You’re a quick learner!” She smiles. “Men don’t fall for you. They fall for what you become in their presence. Some want you to fawn, others dominate, butallmen love it when you boost their ego,” Kaia continues. “So praise their brilliance, then ask them a question, feigning confusion. Menloveexplaining things.”
I nod, taking in her advice. I’d seen the evidence of this already at the tavern. A well-placed sigh of dismay could make a man want to help. In comparison, others will ramble on nervously while you remain silent.
“You may think that physical touch is essential right away, but you shouldnevergive them too much. That’s how you lose your advantage,” she continues. “Desire is quiet. So look at one eye, then drop your gaze to his lips, then lift your gaze to the other eye. Let their need grow so agonizing that theymusthave you. Make them chase. Make them crave what you haven’t given them. That is how you gain control over them.”
Kaia smiles. “Then, when they’re starving and hollow with need… they snap, finally giving in. And you let them. Let them kiss you, touch you, fuck you until they’re brainless.” She sips from her wine. “Then you leave. Disappear for days or weeks and let themburnin your absence until they can’t handle it any longer. Then you have them wrapped around your finger. Because they’ll do anything to have you again.”
She’s right. I am wasting time trying to get Sebastian to trust me when I could be mindlessly flirting with him. Wrath and I have been at each other's throats when I could be swaying his mind with salaciousness. Instead of arguing, I could disarm him.
Kaia opens a second bottle of wine. “Shall I continue?”
“Yes.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
I’m piss drunk.
The last time I was this intoxicated was when Lydia and I stole four bottles of wine from the castle kitchens one night. We drank in the gardens under the maple tree so Ulrik wouldn’t catch us. We eventually fell asleep under the stars, Valentin waking us early the following morning. The memory left me feeling wistful, missing my closest friend. The longer I ponder things, the more I realize that I don’t miss Cathros. I miss the people who live there, like Lydia, Valentin, and Eleanor.
I stumble up the front castle steps, nearly falling as I hold my arms out to steady myself. Glancing up, I see Kieran and Marek, both attempting to stifle their laughter as they watch me. Frowning, I hurry into the castle to save myself from any more embarrassment. I rush through the halls before anyone else sees how inebriated I am.
My eyelids feel heavy. Keeping them open is a struggle—how late is it? Sleep is whispering sweet promises in my ear with each step. The world around me is a haze as I turn the corner, bumping directly into someone. I stumble, grabbingfistfuls of their jacket as I try to stay standing. Their hands grasp tightly around my shoulders, steadying me so I don’t fall.
Glancing up, a pair of gray eyes meet mine.
“Hey…” I greet him, using all my effort to keep my tone casual.
It is time to put Kaia’s advice to the test. Instead of arguing, I will throw Wrath off by flirting. Then, I can ask questions while he’s distracted, setting up my game pieces in the shadows.
Wrath assesses my state as he releases me. “Are you drunk, Raelys?”
“Are yousober, Wrath?” I mimic, words slurred. Of course, he’s able to tell I’m intoxicated simply by looking at me. Nothing ever gets past him.
One corner of his mouth lifts. “Unfortunately, yes.”
“Thats-sucksfor you, then…”
“Is that so?”
I shift in my boots. The wine coursing through my veins gives me boundless confidence. I focus on Wrath’s lips, unsure of why they look more inviting by the second. Something about his hair is enticing me to run my fingers through it, and I try not to think too deeply about the impulse.
“You know…” I point a finger at his chest. “For the most wicked king in Dratheria, you sure do get me alotof gifts.” I step closer. “It’s… it’s like youlikeme… or sum’thin.”
