“You’re disgusting,” I spit. “Why would I want to do that? You can’t even make your lovers finish.”
He rolls up his sleeves, the bargain tattoo on full display. “Just because I don’t, doesn’t mean I can’t. Unlace my pants for me. Stars know you don’t have any barriers beneath that skirt.”
I press my legs tight together, hating the burning heat in my body as his gaze rakes over me. He tugs the band of my skirt so I shuffle between his legs.
“Sit, Princess. Let me sheathe myself in you. I promise you’ll see stars you’ve only glimpsed in your dreams.” One hand lazily swishes the black ribbons. “And don’t worry about your precious mate. Even while you’re still trembling from my touch, you’ll find yourself back in his cold arms.”
I move away. “You’re ridiculous. I’m not going to sleep with you to learn the bargain. You probably wouldn’t even tell me, anyway.”
“On the contrary,” Caspian stands, so much taller than me, “I just answered three of your questions.”
“What—”
Caspian steps around me to address the crowd. They gaze up at him reverently. “I think the music has gotten a little dull. How about a taste of the deep? I’ve got a grand show planned. You don’t want to miss this.” He inclines his head to the empty seat next to him as he sits.
But I cannot stand another second in his conniving presence. I scramble down the thorn staircase, fleeing the Prince of Thorns and his riddles in the dark.
57
Rosalina
MyheartthundersasI make my way down the thorn staircase. I thought Ezryn had been at the bottom of the stairs. Where is he? At Caspian’s words, the dance floor has become even more crowded.
Revelers push forward. Skin slicks against mine as I get pulled into the shuffle. Everyone must be attempting to get a good view of this show. I turn around and stand on my tiptoes, trying to find our willow tree. A sea of crazy-eyed partygoers stands between me and it.Shit.
As the music swells, a deep mechanical rumble echoes through the courtyard. I spin to look. The dance floor splits apart, revealing a gaping rift. Out from the darkness arises a large aquarium.
Its sleek, glassy surface gleams in the flickering jewel-light. Clear water splashes against the edge. Pipes and valves snake across the bottom like veins, pulsing with energy. In the middle of the tank is a creature of stunning beauty: a mermaid.
I gasp, not even caring as drunk and half-dressed fae shove me to get closer. She’s so mesmerizing, with a shimmering tail of powder blue and a mane of pink hair. I step forward, entranced by the gleam of her scales.
But more fae crowd around me until I’m pinned on all sides by bodies. I try to catch a glimpse of the princes, suddenly feeling vulnerable without them nearby.I need to get back to our tree.
A commotion sounds from behind me, and fae offer curses and exclamations. Ezryn shoves through the crowd with the subtlety of a bull in a porcelain shop. His dark armor shimmers with the fuchsia, emerald, and sapphire of the glowing jewels from the tank.
“Get out of my way,” he growls at the fae standing at my back. Then he grabs the fae man by the shoulder and shoves him to the side.
As soon as his cool armor presses against me, I feel relief. His large arms wrap around my body, and I melt into him. “It’s too crowded,” I say.
“I know. I got caught up in the crowd when Caspian announced his show. The shadowfolk obsess over creatures from the realms above. Hold tight to me.” Ezryn takes my hand in his huge, leather one, and shoves through the masses. My hand looks so tiny in his, and I press myself tight to the rough fabric of his cape so we don’t get separated.
For a small moment, I catch Keldarion’s eyes through a gap in the crowd. His features soften when he realizes the Spring Prince is beside me.
Ezryn swears under his breath. “There’s too many of them. We’ll make it back to our tree after the show.”
The mermaid’s tail flicks in a captivating rhythm. “I kind of want to watch.”
Ezryn surveys the courtyard. There are obsidian benches along the edge of the tank, but they’re filled with people lucky enough to get a seat. But that doesn’t deter Ez. He goes up to a skinny fae with dark circles under his eyes sitting on the end of the bench. “Move.”
The fae looks up at him. “Fuck off—”
Ezryn grabs his shirt and drags him off the bench before shoving him into the crowd. No one seems to notice or care. The fae man shoots us a dirty look then fades away into the sea of people.
Ezryn takes a seat on the bench, then places his hands on my hips. I can feel his smooth leather gloves through the ribbons of my skirt, and my breath hitches. “Sit here,” he says huskily. “You’ll have a better view.”
Then he pulls me down onto his lap. I gasp as the shock of his cold armor hits my bare thighs. Damn Marigold and her overzealousness with those scissors; the fabric is so thin, the hardness of his metal cuisse shoots right through me.
“Are you comfortable?” he asks.
