Honestly, I’d had enough apprehension for the evening, my nerves far past fried. It had been a hard night, more trying than I had ever thought it would be when I was finally presented to my people.
So I decided to cheat. I pretended to look elsewhere while he stared at me. I probed inward for that part of him that resided inside my Fae-spark, searching for his feelings.
Deep contemplation.
What was he thinking?Didhe know my secret?
Strength.
So much damned strength of will it unsettled me.
I cleared my throat nervously and looked further.
A small dose of lust…
Hold on a Fae damned moment.What in the Fairy?
My attention shot to him faster than a bolt of lightning, hurriedly examining his shifter eyes. Who in the Fae fuck was he attracted to?
She would surely look a fright once I was done with her.
It appeared the shifter king was glancing at me from the corner of his eyes—obviously playing a part once more—while he spoke to a well-known elf fruit broker. He wouldn’t swindle me again. No fucking way would I let that happen. I peered behind me, suspiciously.
I cast my narrowed gaze on all the females, seeking any shifter women nearby. There was an ample number of ladies close to me, but…
There were no shifters.
Confused, I gradually turned back around.
King Athon’s lips twitched just so, his amused, solid black eyes finding mine once more while he continued his conversation effortlessly.
I blinked. Huh.
What in the five kingdoms…
I took a turn about the ballroom, ignoring all others who tried to capture my attention—and there weremany—while I considered what might actually be occurring inside my Fae damned soul mate’s complicated brain. Then I took another turn. Once more wouldn’t hurt, I supposed. When I was two wine glasses down, and still with no clarity on my muddled thoughts, I decided it was probably time to stop, unless I wanted even more elves trying to touch me—again, there weremany.
I ended my jaunt next to a table full of scrumptious delights that Mother had procured from Jarisbur, adding food to a plate to soak up the alcohol I had ingested too quickly. I quietly sighed when male suitors swarmed me, hardly listening to them talk about themselves, in their pursuit to impress me.
“Yes, I had heard that,” I murmured absently.
I had no idea what they’d just said.
The elf on my right stood straighter, proud in his finery.
I guess I’d answered appropriately.
My regard focused over their shoulders where King Athon stood five feet away—mayhap I hadn’t come herejustfor the food. He was currently busy in what looked like a friendly conversation with an elated shifter woman—her solid light brown eyes large with worship.
No, make that two of them now.
Where did that lady come from?
I politely smiled when I heard my name from the men around me, and covertly avoided a hand brush against my back to bring me closer to my abysmal companions. My gaze snapped back over their shoulders when the second woman moved in too close to King Athon, for propriety’s sake.
I stuffed a tart in my mouth, crunching on it angrily as she placed her hands on my dratted soul mate’s forearm, leaning in to whisper in his ear.
Handsy bitch, that one.
