She barely felt his grip loosening, but all at once, he was gone. A tear fought its way through. She couldn’t argue with him. One week was hardly enough time to figure out this mess she’d been dealing with for months now. It was over, wasn’t it?
Rhay appeared in front of her, his bright smile a stark contrast to Karwyn’s cold exterior. “Why so glum, love?” In his hand was a colourful drink.
Lora blinked away tears. “Nothing. You really did a great job with this. It’s beautiful,” she said, gesturing around them. In a weird way, she would miss this. She would miss Rhay.
Rhay laughed. “Of course it is. I don’t do anything less than fabulous. Don’t worry, love. There’ll be more parties. Karwyn can’t keep you stashed away forever. You’re here to stay.”
Stay.The notion was hilarious. Lora swallowed her reply, turning her head, seeking a distraction. Varsha was leaving the bathroom; her eyes met Lora’s, and Varsha gave her a subtle tilt of her head. It was time to find Eyden. She could cry later.
“I’m going to the bathroom. Save me a drink, will you?” Lora replied.
Rhay nodded, his smile slipping for a second before a dazzling grin took over and he held up his glass. “I’ll find you later.”
As she turned to the hallway, her eyes found Ilario. He was watching Rhay as he approached an attractive fae in a purple outfit. Ilario’s lips formed a straight line. She thought about going to him, but in that instant, Eyden appeared in her field of vision. He inclined his head to the hallway.
Eyden turned a corner, and Lora followed after him with a delay. There was a storage room there, as mapped out by Varsha. Eyden opened the pantry door, and Lora hurried inside.
He quickly shut the door and blocked it with a nearby chair. Turning around, he looked at her—reallylooked at her. From her boots to the hem of her dress, up her waist, to her neckline, then further up to her lips, and finally her eyes. His gaze was like the sun, heating up every part of her until she was melting beneath her skin.
“Hi,” he said, his tone more unsure than she was used to. Eyden was dressed in a simple black suit. He looked good, she couldn’t deny it. His curly hair was styled but still adorably messy. His striking pale eyes struck her every time she looked at him. What was it about him that every time their eyes met, something inside her roared?
Every.
Single.
Time.
One week.The dark thought brought her back to her bleak reality.
“We should get going,” Lora said, turning to the shelf filled with food and drinks. Varsha had hidden the guard’s uniform somewhere on the bottom shelf. Spying a box of tablecloths, Lora threw the contents out until she found the turquoise uniform.
She stood up and held out the pieces of clothing. “Here.” She tried to sound normal but failed miserably.
Eyden’s eyes dimmed as if he knew something else was up. He took the clothes from her. “We’re not picking up our conversation, then? You’re still set on pretending?”
Lora exhaled slowly. “I’ve said it all. ”
Eyden scoffed. “You said more lies than truths, and we both know it.”
When Eyden took a step forward, Lora held up her hand. He froze. “Can we get on with our plan, please?” Lora asked. She couldn’t take this. She’d wanted to see him, but now it felt like torture. Being so close to him yet knowing she could never have him. She couldn’t haveanything.
Frowning, he put the uniform next to him on top of a platter of covered food. Then he shrugged off his suit jacket and started unbuttoning his shirt.
“What are you doing?” Lora asked, looking over his bare chest in spite of herself.
His brows shot up. “Changing?” His shirt was almost completely open now.
Lora imagined trailing her finger down his chest, over the hard abs and lower, drawing that groan from him she loved so much. She could still hear the sounds he’d made. It was a powerful feeling, knowing she was the one who could get this reaction from him. Yet when he’d touched her, she had felt powerless, completely enthralled by him, out of control. It was exhilarating and terrifying and she wanted more even though she shouldn’t.
You’ll never have that again.
She forced her gaze from him. “Right. I should…”
“I don’t mind you watching. You’ve seen more, remember?” Eyden taunted, a daring grin on his face. “Come on, say it.”
“Say what?”
“Whatever lie is running through your mind. Let’s hear it.” He unbuttoned his trousers, and Lora whirled around. She couldn’t watch this.
