“Well then, what is this purpose?” he asked, and I barely caught it, in my peripheral, but as he glanced over at Lord Carnelian, a suspicious glint appeared in his gaze.
Uh oh.
I forced myself to giggle merrily as I turned in his arms, directing his attention back to me.
“I would think that quite obvious.” I made a show of looking him up and down when he spun me out, and hated that I couldn’t ignore how fucking gorgeous he was, even with the blood staining his hands.
“Most ladies here would look more to the crown on my head than at me directly,” he stated bleakly, though he grinned wolfishly a moment later. “Though none have ever complained either.”
“I don’t doubt it.” The words slipped from my lips before I realized it. But his eyes lit up in response, looking like lapis lazuli in this light, and he pulled me flush against him.
“A charmer, aren’t you?” he whispered, before releasing my waist to tug lightly on a strand of pink hair. “And a sight for sore eyes, at that. Like Erodite, come again. We haven’t seen anyone with this shade in far too long.”
I forced my muscles to stay loose and relaxed, to not go stiff all at once like they desperately wanted. I chuckled, proud that I had managed to get the sound out of my mouth, and shook my head at him.
“Ah, if I knew I’d be compared to a goddess, I’d have forced my father to let me tag along with Lord Carnelian sooner.” I gave him a sultry smile, “If I’m Erodite, does that make you Veritx come again? You have the inflated ego to believe yourself godlike, I think.”
I winked, even as his crown of diamonds winked back at me in the light, as if taunting me.
His sudden laughter was shocking and bright. Not dissimilar to his first laugh when I caught him off guard. A true, full laugh.
“Perhaps it’s vain to claim such godliness; we wouldn’t want to upset them after all.” He smirked. “Perhaps you are like a mini Erodite. A Mini-Dite.” He chuckled, looking quite pleased with himself, while I rolled my eyes at his ridiculousness.
“Then you certainly can’t claim Veritx. Perhaps you should be Veri, as in very self-important.” I countered, and he stilled for a moment, blinking owlishly before that same laugh rang out again, and I couldn’t help joining him.
“I can’t say I’ve laughed so much at one of these things before,” he said when he calmed, a warm look in his eyes. But as Lord Carnelian circled, he seemed to remember himself…as did I. We both straightened a bit, and as the song came to a close, we slowed to a stop. He took my hand, lifting it to his mouth and pressing his lips to my skin in a soft kiss.
My heart beat in my chest became very noticeable, the sound ringing in my ears. I only hoped my family forgave me for the sins I’d have to commit to win this.
“I shall look forward to seeing your talent at the first competition, Mini-Dite,” he murmured, his lips a searing heat on my skin.
“As I look forward to astonishing you with it, Veri.” I returned with a curtsy, my brow rising.
He chuckled, leaning close to whisper in my ear, “You could just call me Az.”
“As you could call me Jac.” His own brow rose at that, and he nodded deeply before a woman with long opalescent hair and eyes appeared beside him.
“You need to make the rounds. Dance with Zumra before she explodes, please. Her pointed hints are getting on my last nerve.” She directed him in a whisper, surely expecting me not to be paying such close attention. She gave me a smile when she noticed me watching them.
“Lady Arianell,” She introduced herself, “I’m in charge of event organization here in Diamond. It’s lovely to meet you, Lady Jacinth.”
“And you, Lady Arianell.” I nodded and noticed Emrys making his way over.
“Ah, sister!” he called, and she rolled her eyes at me before muttering “Brothers”under her breath and walking to meet him.
I was glad for the moment alone, however, and quickly found a waiter who carried a red drink with rose-gold flames on top, tasting of cherry and lime. The alchemy of drink mixtures in Gemaria was just as convoluted as its magic.
I somehow managed to find a quiet spot along one of the walls, set back from the arches that made up the dome above us. The alcoves sat just past each arch, creating a more intimate sitting area, and most were already occupied. This one had a sapphire-blue sofa with diamonds running along the edges,and I swiftly relaxed into it, arranging my skirts as I did so. I closed my eyes, breathing deeply before taking another sip.
I wanted to beat myself up for getting lost in the game for a moment, because that’s exactly what it all was—a game. To survive this court, this competition, and Lord Carnelian, I needed to don that veil of truth and believe the lies I spewed.
I just didn’t expect it to be so easy.
The high king, orAz, as he said, was not what I had been expecting. I’d expected a cold and pompous king who was excited to have women fighting over him. A man not unlike Lord Carnelian, really. But instead I found a charming and seductive man who was almost too easy to spend time with.
I needed to get my head back in the game. A few minutes of conversation wouldn’t erase the past, and I was determined to make him pay for what he did.
Chapter Nine
