We enter the terrace, the princes falling silent when they see us. A waiter approaches, offering us glasses of chilled champagne. We each take one, Holly and Elle taking a sip, while I down half the glass and survey the terrace. Small orbs of warm light float over the pool, reflecting onto the crystal blue water. A roaring fire blazes in the stone fire pit on the other side of the pool.
Koa sits at the fire pit, his gaze fixed on me as he sips from a glass bottle. August sits next to him, talking to Koa enthusiastically about something. But Koa’s eyes are on mine. I haven’t spoken to him since right after the cambion attack, when Asmo accused him of not protecting me. I give him a smile and a wave, and his face lights up. He returns the wave, then his eyes shift to Barrett walking toward him.
Barrett holds two plates of food overflowing with appetizers. I look around, spotting a buffet table brimming with chicken, vegetable skewers and crispy potato wedges. Next to the table of food is an oversized bucket filled with ice and different kinds of drinks.
I feel a hand on the small of my back and turn to find Marik, a glass of ale in his hands.
“Hey,” I say, smiling up at him.
He bends down and kisses my cheek, his hand still resting on the small of my back. “Long time no see,” he says, shooting me a cheeky smile. “How are you feeling?” I quirk an eyebrow. He glances around the terrace at the other princes. “About another group date?”
“Not bad,” I say. “Not as nervous as the first time we all met.”
“Are you saying that I make you nervous? Or that I calm your nerves?” he asks.
I roll my eyes and say, “Actually, I wasn’t saying either of those things. But if I had to choose, I’d choose both.”
“Good answer.”
“Where’s Asmo?”
“He’ll be here soon,” he responds. I don’t ask where he is or why he hasn’t chosen to make his punctuality a priority, but I note that detail regardless.
He leads me toward one of the cream couches. Once we’re seated, the rest of the princes walk over to us and take their own seats. Elle and Holly don’t join, instead choosing to sit in front of the fireplace by the stone pool house. I briefly wish I was with them in front of the warm fire, and I wrap my jacket around me tightly.
Marik throws an arm around me, but it doesn’t warm me up. Koa stands and shrugs his black denim jacket from his shoulders. He crosses the distance between us and offers it to me.
I leave Marik’s embrace and shove my arms inside Koa’s jacket. I thank him and he gives me a tight smile before sitting back down on the opposite couch. I need to talk to him. What happened the other night wasn’t his fault, but there’s an awkward tension there after Asmo’s accusations.
“Let’s cheers to our High Queen and the future High King. May the best man win!” August booms, holding up his glass beer bottle in the air. Cheers ring out as they clink their glasses together.
When everyone quiets down, I clear my throat and hold up my glass. “Thank you all for being here today and during this process. I do realize the sacrifices you all are making by being here for an extended period of time and pursuing this. Cheers to getting to know each other, finding love, and making friends in the process,” I say.
We toast and decide to play some games. We start with Truth or Dare, resulting in August being dared to jump into the pool fully clothed. “It smells like wet dog now,” Barrett mutters as August hauls himself from the pool, clothes dripping wet. Thankfully, Marik helps him out by sending a gust of warm air to him as soon as he gets out, drying his clothes.
After Truth or Dare, we play Two Truths and a Lie. I learn random things about each prince (Marik has been stung by a scorpion, Koa broke his arm once falling out of a tree, August doesn’t drink coffee, and Barrett’s favorite activity is whale-watching) except Asmo, who still hasn’t shown up.
By the time we finish, everyone is pretty much tipsy, and I’m having a blast. This group date is infinitely better than the last one, and I feel like I’m surrounded by my friends. I excuse myself and head to get a plate of food. When I return to the group, Asmo is sitting in the seat where Barrett previously was, Barrett nowhere to be found. He dons black pants and a charcoal linen shirt, his ebony hair styled messily.
“How nice of you to join,” I mutter, sitting down next to him. His body is radiating warmth, and I resist the urge to lean into him.
“I liked your outfit better last night,” he whispers in my ear, sending shivers down my spine.
“Thank you,” is all I say.
What I really want to say is, “So you did notice, you ass.”
The atmosphere of the group has changed with Asmo’s arrival, the conversation seeming to not flow as easily as it did before.
“So, Mae, what do you have in store for us next week?” Koa asks. Everyone’s eyes turn to me, and I fight the usual feeling of panic that tends to come when I’m the center of attention.
“I was thinking you all could plan individual dates that show me a little bit about you and your interests,” I say.
“If that’s the case, I imagine Asmo will just take you to a room of darkness,” Koa says, a smile on his face that doesn’t reach his eyes.
“If that’s the case, I imagine Koa will just take you straight to a den of cambions,” Asmo says coolly beside me. “Maybe have a little nap after he leaves you with them.”
Koa sits up straighter and says, “Maybe Asmo will take you straight to Mommy and Daddy’s den of vipers to show you how he was raised and what you can expect for your children if you choose either of the Serpent Princes as a husband.” He glares at Asmo.
