Although disheveled, he still looked ridiculously good.Unfairlygood.
A black fitted suit hugged his shoulders, caressing his biceps as a dark vest peeked out, gold markings gleaming in the sunset light. His dark hair was freshly shaved on the sides and neatly slicked back on the top.Devastatingin all the right ways. Some pathetic, internal part of me thanked him for rewarding me with this view.
My heart palpitated. Mind sputtered.
Heshouldn’tbe here.
“I knocked over thirty times,” Pogue growled, grilling the doorframe as if it were a bouncer who’d personally offended him. “Who warded this?” he demanded. “Nearly shattered my wrist trying to break the damn door down. Not even the shadows could penetrate it.”
The moment I last saw him flashed to the forefront of my mind—that cruel kiss, his cruel words.
“Aine did,” I said sharply. “Extra precautions for anyuninvitedguests.”
In truth, Aine freaked when she found out Pogue’s shadows were able to sneak in to deliver me that note.
My eyes angrily locked on his. “What are you doing here, Pogue?”
I stepped through the doorway, purposely forcing him back.
His breath hitched, a small motion that would’ve easily been missed had I not been staring. Serrated eyes slid over my face, my neck, my chest, down to the small bit of flesh peeking out from the opening in my dress.
Heat crept into my core at the weight of his gaze.
Pull yourself together, Carwynn . . .
Pogue stiffened. Slowly, his hands drifted up to grip the lapels of his suit as he straightened.
“You look—” He cleared his throat, then sucked in a deep breath. “I’m escorting you to the Ball. I heard about the Onchu Ancient. You should be accompanied—it’s not safe.”
My brows shot sky-high. I could feel my lips starting to twitch, unsure if they wanted to curse him or kiss him. Too dangerous, either way.
What a cocky, conceited, asshole! Who the hell did he think he was showing up unannounced? Then not asking buttellingme we were going together.
No smile. No amusement. Just a solemn expression.
I blinked.
Was I missing something? I mean, sure I was raised among humans, but the social differences weren’t so big that I’d be completely and jarringly falling short to some crucial part of this miscommunication. No this, one hundred percent had to be a Pogue thing, not a cultural mishap.
“Hey, Carwynn!” I lowered my voice, mocking his own. “Would you like to be my date to the Fortuna Ball?” I spun to the other side of the walkway, voice going higher. “Gee, what a gentleman! Howcharitableof you, Pogue. Truly, I’m swooning . . .”
Silence.
The stale look on his face forced me to choke down a laugh. With immense strength—and struggle—I held it together. “You can’t just show up on people’s doorsteps telling them what to do.”
He blinked, looking like a machine that’d broken down, glitching. Then, ever so slowly, he rolled his neck, exhaling.
Was he . . .nervous?
Something unfamiliar flashed across his face. Not anger, not arrogance. No, this wassofter. Which was far more terrifying.
“I—” Pogue began, muscles tensing as if a moment of unsureness had taken hold. “I was going to?—”
“Umm,” A soothing, melodic voice cut the air. “What’s going on here?”
Finley’s brown leather shoes clicked on the stone. In the distance, an Enbarr and carriage had freshly appeared.
Someone should’ve just smacked me clean across the face by this point. Where was Lights-Out Louisa when I needed her . . .
