He leans down and presses his lips to my ear. My belly quivers as he whispers, “I’ve heard their king is worse than the rumors you know.”
My throat suddenly jams up. “King?”
“Mm, and a billionaire at that. One who likes to drink the blood of virgins on moonlit nights, but only after they’ve competed against one another in a fight to the death.”
I blanche before pulling back and seeing his mouth twisted wickedly. “You’re teasing me.”
He straightens. “Never.”
“I should’ve known better than to attempt a conversation with you.” I sigh. “I wonder if the bloodthirsty king’s here tonight.”
“If I see him, I’ll introduce you.”
My jaw drops. “Youknowhim?”
“We have certain things in common.”
“Arrogance,” I reply.
He smirks. “You’re certainly opinionated.”
“As if you know me.”
“I know a few things about you.”
I roll my eyes. “Puking doesn’t count. But anyway, I’ve never seen a fae, and I wonder if they look as coldhearted as they’re rumored to be”—I shoot him a scathing look—“virgin-blood drinking and all.”
“Worse,” he says with a wink.
“Worse than you?”
He sighs. “Your high opinion of me is truly mind-altering. Idon’t know how anyone’s going to put up with me, or my ego for that matter, after your skillful stroking of it.”
I tamp down a laugh. “That’s nothing. You haven’t seen what I do best.”
“And what’s that?”
“Pick your perfect book.”
“Books again,” he mumbles. “But the fae, from what I understand, keep to themselves. They stay in the castle, and the witches remain down here.”
“Why move to Castleview then?”
“So many questions.”
“So many answers,” I parrot.
He takes in the crowd before dropping his gaze to meet mine. “Supposedly they moved here because, with this being a magical town, it’s neutral ground for them to reach out to the humans and initiate peace.”
“That’s almost noble.”
His brow lifts in amusement. “Careful or someone might think you’re giving a compliment.”
“And what if I am?”
“It sounds good on your lips,” he purrs.
The music comes to a stop, and we stand there for a beat, his hand on my hip, my hand on his shoulder. With a deep breath he releases me as if the spell that brought us together has suddenly popped like a soap bubble. It’s only when his hands fall away that I realize how blazing hot he is, and how chilly the ballroom air is as it cloaks me.
