Farron grabs it and smiles. “This is heavy. What have you got in here?”
“My emotional support book. I mean, I know I probably won’t have time to read, but I like to have it with me just in case.” My throat tightens thinking of the second book in my bag.
“I get it.” Farron gives me a soft smile. He’s likely the only one who would understand. He moves to remove my cloak.
I guess I can’t hide behind it all night. I’ll have to hope Marigold’s skirt is solid enough to hide my forgetful mistake…
The moment Farron slips my cloak off, all the voices silence. I look down at my dress, the thin briars elegantly covering my breasts, the delicate swirling skirt. I squeeze my thighs together. But when I think of the crown of thorns on my head, I make myself straighten.
I’m met with five pairs of eyes on me.
“I’m going to murder that raccoon,” Ezryn says.
“Really?” Dayton says, almost dreamily. “Maybe I’ll actually give her that kiss she’s always demanding.”
Farron shakes his head, gazing down. “Rosie, you look…”
But it’s Caspian’s gaze I meet next. He’s… furious. Did he not think I’d keep his crown? Mustering all the stupid confidence I can, I hold his stare and delicately touch the thorns atop my head. “What? Didn’t you say it looked better on me?”
Thorns and shadows erupt from the ground, but they don’t dive toward me. They wrap around Kel’s legs, pinning his arms to his side.
All the princes tense, waiting. But they’re going to let Kel make the first move.
“I always knew you were a mindless brute, but to bring her here dressed likethat.” A dark chuckle rises from Caspian’s chest. “She’s going to get eaten alive.”
I cross my arms self-consciously over my chest. I thought I looked nice.
Kel’s gaze is fire as he studies me, then he rips free of the briars. Ice crackles over the thorns, snapping them immediately. Kel grabs the collar of Caspian’s shirt, lifting the Prince of Thorns off the ground. “Mymatemay dress however she sees fit. So, if you value any of your minions’ lives, you will tell them not to touch her. Anyone who does will answer to me.”
Caspian sucks in a hard breath before pushing Kel away and dropping to the floor. He smooths his suit, composure instantly regained. “Very well. Enjoy the festivities. There are many delights in Cryptgarden. Do take care to sample them all.”
With that, the Prince of Thorns turns and leaves.
The breath is heavy in my throat as Keldarion slides up beside me, and I feel the light touch of his hand on my spine. “The Lady of Castletree is truly embodying her namesake tonight. You look as deadly as you are beautiful.”
But I didn’t need to hear your thoughts to know you forgot your panties, Rose,Kel’s voice sounds in my mind.I would have smelled you the moment you removed your cloak.
Ice floods my body. “How are you doing that?” I whisper. “You can hear me?”
“Only bits and pieces,” he says gruffly. “I wasn’t sure it would take effect. But the bond is growing the more time we spend together. I remember my grandparents having whole conversations without our family at the dining table.”
“Wait, what?”
“Mates can speak within each other’s minds.”
The words rattle in my mind as the fact comes back to me. I read about this. My gaze shifts beyond the willow tree and locks on the dark figure walking away.
Because Keldarion is not the only one I can hear in my mind.
54
Rosalina
Peeringthroughthesheercurtains around the willow tree, I can’t stop watching the fae—they’re captivating and beautiful in a horrific way. Some dresses seem crafted from cobwebs, while others look dipped in liquid gold.
Even the air feels different in the Below, soupy and heavy with desire. Farron hypothesized that there’s an aphrodisiac added to the atmosphere, the wine, or perhaps the delectable food. Whatever it is, Cryptgarden is engulfed by an unrelenting wave of lust. The sensation is intoxicating as everyone’s inhibitions are swept away.
Well, almost everyone.
