Lord Polaris and Lady Zillah pulled me into a three-way dance between them. They joked and laughed and drank a ton of wine—frankly, they were a ton of fun, completely unlike the nobles I’d met in Dusk.
“Come on, Asteria, another dance!” Lord Polaris smiled, shaking the wine bottle he’d swiped off the table and chugging it back.
“Mercy!” I begged, laughing. “My poor human feet need a break.”
I laughed them off as I went to grab a bit of food, somehow ending up near where Calix was talking with several of his lords, Lord Rhidian and Lord Kyler on either side of him. The three large, light haired and muscular men made quite the sight together, and I tilted my head to the side as I appreciated it.
“They’re something, aren’t they?” An amused, musical voice broke my drooling, and I whipped my head around to find Lady Alora’s sweet smile aimed my way.
“They certainly are.” I returned her smile. “You’re a lucky lady.”
Lady Alora laughed, a sound like tinkling bells. “Asteria, right?” I nodded in confirmation, and she inclined her head. “How are you settling into life here in Night? I know the situations are very different, but I grew up in Sunset, so I’m well aware of the challenges of moving to a new kingdom.”
She seemed genuinely interested, and while Cyrus had fostered a suspicious edge to me in Dusk, I just couldn’t picture this woman doing anything with ill intent, so I returned her smile.
“Honestly, while there’s been a few adjustments, I’m happier here than I’ve ever been anywhere else.” I admitted.
Her smile grew as she linked her arm through mine, leading me to a table where another lady sat. “I’m so glad to hear that. We were all relieved when His Highness found you and got you out.”
That took me aback for a moment. Why would they care? It took me a second, but then I remembered—the prophecy, right. “You know of the vision Liv—uh, Princess Liviana, had?”
“Don’t worry.” Lady Alora bumped my shoulder with hers. “We don’t worry much about all that.” She waved her hand, indicating my slip was no big deal, which was a relief.
“But yes.” Alora continued, nodding. “We’re all aware of the prophecy. At least, the nobles and resistance are. It was such a relief to hear the one who can help change the tide had finally arrived.”
She seemed to sense my struggle with that concept, placing a hand on my arm while handing me a glass of pink wine. I shot it back and a husky chuckle caught my attention. I looked up to see the lady across the table watching me.
“You look like you need to relax.” Lady Aisling, Lord Kyler’s wife, smirked at me, and I couldn’t help my wide-eyed nod of eager agreement.
“The—after party of sorts is starting soon.” Lady Aisling chuckled, raising a brow.
“What after party?” I asked, not having heard about it. I jumped as a body slammed into the seat beside me. Baach grinned unrepentantly at my glare.
“The one we’re dragging you to after this. The girls have your outfit covered, so you just run along with them, and they’ll bring you down. I did promise I’d show you the room dedicated to Hedone, didn’t I?” Baach winked before he was off. No doubt making sure everything was prepared correctly—he took his job of Master of Ceremonies very seriously for being as playful as he was. Ilta appeared out of nowhere, like Baach had summoned her, and urged me to go change.
“Did he say we’re going to the sex god room?” I swallowed hard.
“Oh, I have to see this.” Lady Aisling laughed, tipping her head backwards. “Come, Alora, let’s join these ladies, I have a feeling this is where all the fun will be!”
Sufficiently ganged up on by half the Nox damned kingdom, I allowed them to shuffle me out to a side room. They’d made it into an impromptu dressing room, and they’d brought tons of options for us all to choose from.
I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. Lacy scraps of nothing, leather bands that barely covered a thing, silk that draped provocatively. Every piece was a dedication to Hedone. These were outfits worn to get fucked. There was no getting around that.
A pair of hands landed on my shoulders, interrupting me from my wild-eyed perusal. I’d known the Fae got up to a lot that humans weren’t privy to but—damn.
“Come on, don’t you want to drive the king wild?” Lady Aisling raised her brow as I turned to her. “I saw you two and it’s clear the sexual tension is ready to explode. This will just help you tip it in the right direction.” She winked, and while I appreciated her enthusiasm for getting me laid—
“I can’t. He has—” I protested, my face falling. I ducked my head to hide it, but a gentle finger under my chin lifted it back up. Lady Aisling was smiling softly, emerald eyes glowing.
“Leave the morals out of it tonight.” She advised; her words gentle despite their message. “He might have some stupid idea of being loyal to a person he’s never met, who could be fucking anyone, anywhere right now, but life’s too short, even for immortals! I say—”
“Aisling!” Harpina’s voice was like a whip crack, which suited her new leather ensemble quite well. “Stop causing trouble.”
“I’m not! I’m helping my new friend.” Aisling sniffed, offended. My lips twitched, and I bit my bottom lip, trying to hold in a smile.
Aislingwasjust trying to help, but Harpina was loyal to Calix beyond his being king—they had been friends for centuries, trained and battled together—of course she would help him uphold his vow.
But as a smirking Aisling ignored her and pulled a dress off the rack for me, I couldn’t help matching her smirk with my own. Maybe a little troublewascalled for…
