Because I just hurt her and she’s not smiling.
I want to see that smile.
When did that become more important than revenge?
What the hell is wrong with me? But I don’t stop asking her more. “And what are you interested in? Love? Chemistry? Danger?”
Her hand squeezes mine. “Maybe all of them.”
“And what if those things aren’t all they’re cracked up to be?”
She drags her teeth over her bottom lip. “Prove it.”
Nightmare shudders.Did…she just say…what I think she said?
“The opposite of danger is responsibility. I’m afraid it’s very boring.”
She shrugs. “Are you trying to convince me oryou?” Before I can answer, she says, “And is the person you tried to curse here tonight? Do I know them? Is that the one invitation you wanted filled?”
“I thought we already settled this.” I glance down to see her studying me with a quiet determination that makes my chest quake. “No, that wasn’t who I wanted to come.”
My statement hangs between us—her eyes locked on mine—and she knows the truth. “Why do you want them cursed?”
“Careful, Chelsea. That’s an answer you haven’t earned…yet.”
I wait for Nightmare to latch onto this revenge subplot, but instead it sighs heavily.How soft is her skin, do you think? Not her hand, the other parts.
The song comes to a sudden and swift end. Chelsea curtsies low. “Thank you for the dance, King Eryx. Now…good night and goodbye.”
Chelsea
I’ve got to leave.
Now.
My rib cage tightens as I cross the ballroom floor. Not from fear. From want.
I wanted him to keep holding me. I wanted the dance to last forever. I wanted?—
No. Stop. He’s dangerous. The Nightmare King. He’s using me for something.
But the way he looked at me when he said my name… I shake my head. This is just magic. Just attraction. Just chemistry.
Nothing more.
Witches and wizards stare at me. I feel their hot gazes and do my best to ignore them.
I rush past the onlookers and am almost to the front door when a voice grabs me. “Chelsea,whatwas that about?”
Dallas and Emory stand just outside the ballroom. Relief floods every cell of my body.
“Thank goodness,” I manage.
“You’re so red,” Dallas notes.
Emory takes my arm. “And hot. Your skin is on fire. Come on. Let’s get you outside.”
Yes. Outside. Home. Away from here and Eryx’s icy blue eyes that seem to look right into my soul.
