“I’m no stranger to coercion.” They stared at the piece before us, their dark eyes a little lost, a little haunted, as if their own ghosts dwelled there. The elegant arch of their nose, the firm press of their well-defined lips, the hollow of their throat created such perfect lines that I wanted to trace them on paper. “But I also know Jason would rather see you, risks be damned.”
My eyes stung at that, and my chest squeezed tight. Learning that someone out there still cared was all that kept me going. If he found out my parents had almost disappeared him, would he ever want to see me again?
Ursuline’s tentacle stroked against my side, sending a shiver through my body. “Monsters know the dangers of existing here among the humans. For all the equality Peregrine City proclaims, the law is rarely in our favor.”
They weren’t wrong. I’d attended enough of these parties, seen enough of the anti-monster rhetoric from the people with some of the most money, the most power in the city. Their attitudes disgusted me deeply.
“Contact him,” Ursuline said. “We can arrange something.”
Gratitude thrummed inside me on a bone-deep level. “Thank you.”
Being in this place, with the gallery devoted to the sea, just made me want to escape to the bay. To feel the sand between my toes, to experience the exultant thrills from the other night when Ursuline had taken me swimming with them.
“Do you think it’s too early to escape?” I asked, glancing toward the door again.
“Where do you have in mind?” they asked, their lips quirking. They took another long sip of their drink, finishing it.
“The deck, maybe?” I asked. I couldn’t very well run off into the bay right now, but at least if I could stay away from the pressure of my parents’ disappointed gazes, I might survive tonight. “Let me just find a restroom first.”
“I’ll wait for you on the deck,” Ursuline said, gliding toward the door again. “There isn’t anyone I care to speak to at a gathering like that.”
Which only confirmed they’d come here for me.
Heat rushed through me, tangling with gratefulness. That they’d cared enough to show up, despite the confusing situation. Shame tugged on my heels a moment later. Because no matter how I felt, I’d pledged myself to another.
When we stepped back out into the ballroom, the music threaded over me again, the conversations crashing in a moment later. My parents sat at the same table as before, looking as dour as always. I kept my distance, going toward the exit to the private bathrooms I knew about, rather than the adjoining ones to the ballroom.
Besides, this route would make my detour to the deck far easier.
I trailed down the long, empty hall before I spotted the door to the left.
The door to the bathroom was shut, which meant someone else had ended up here. I leaned on the opposite wall and waited. A few thumps and muffled noises were coming from inside, ones I recognized fast—looked like the privacy had been sought out on purpose.
I rolled my eyes and knocked. As much as I didn’t want to interrupt their fun, I didn’t want to return to the ballroom more. A few more sounds came from inside, some moans and a shout. I took the final few sips of my drink, savoring the sweetness of the jessamine. Anticipation roiled inside me, that in mere moments I’d escape this garbage engagement party I’d never wanted.
Away from all the scrutiny.
The door creaked open.
Darryl stepped out, his black hair rumpled and a satisfied grin on his face. It was clear what he’d been up to, as evidenced by the lingering scent of sweat and sex in the air. My skin prickled with unease, as if with a premonition. As if I’d known what would happen all night.
My gaze landed on the next figure.
Arielle emerged from the bathroom, her copper strands mussed, her eyes sparkling with a freshly fucked glow. Her cheeks were rosy red, and her skirts still askew, the fabric a mess. She glanced up at me, and recognition flashed in her eyes. She delivered me a bright smile. “Fancy meeting you here.”
Completely unconcerned. Not the slightest hint of guilt or turmoil, even though she’d fucked another guy during our engagement party.
My stomach bottomed out.
Any hopes of us finding common ground, of finding companionship and camaraderie out of this arrangement disintegrated. I pasted on a false smile, one I’d worn for my parents time and again. One I’d mastered over years and years of soirees just like this.
“Did we miss the cake?” Arielle asked airily. Her blue eyes were cloudless, free from anything but enjoyment. If only I could live life that unburdened. My chest squeezed tight.
“Let’s get back,” Darryl said, placing a hand on her shoulder. He glanced up at me and offered a nod. “See you around.”
Acid churned in my gut as Arielle and Darryl strolled away from me. I froze in the hallway, watching their casual touches, the way they laughed together. The intimacy that I craved. Arielle had said she didn’t expect me to be loyal. I had processed her words cerebrally, but my heart…my heart still hadn’t perceived that I wouldn’t be marrying for love.
That the person I would promise my life to wasn’t my soulmate.
