She winked at Cameron. “That I am, me love, but your brother… he makes it easy to harass and mock him for his boorish ways, he does.”
Cameron wouldn’t argue that. And she looked forward to seeing her Myrcian lord, and thanking him most personally for his sweetness in giving her such a fine and lovely thing as this dress to prance about in and feel like a fairy princess. It was the sweetest thing he could have done for her.
At least that was what she thought. But as they entered the ballroom where the others were gathered alongside Kalder’s people, she quickly rethought her gratitude and felt her confidence dwindle into absolutely nothing.
Less than nothing, if such a thing were possible.
Along with every last shred of her happiness.
While she’d known Kalder was more beautiful and sexier than anyone ever had a right to be, and that it should be criminal for a man to tempt everyone who saw him to want to take a bite of that luscious caramel skin, she hadn’t realized his unique charisma and charms were innate to the whole of his people!
In fact, every single male in this room was quite a fine specimen of male perfection… though, granted, none were equal to Kalder, in her opinion. Her Myrcian could still tie knots around all the others and leave them hanging in want of more.
However, as she scanned the great multitude that was gathered about to socialize in their snoot and pomp, it was plainly evident thatthe Myrcian females outshone her looks and lineage, by leaps, bounds,andcartwheels. They were so beautiful as to make even a sainted angel weep with envy.
I’m a hideous troll.
Nay, to callhera troll in comparison to these blooming falderals was an insult to trolls the world over. She was the mangy flea on top of the troll’s wart compared to the great beauties in this room.
Why on earth Kalder would ever want her when he could have his pick of these elegant beauties, she couldn’t imagine.
The man was daft.
Or blind.
Mayhap both.
And she wasn’t the only one to think it. Indeed, the moment she entered the room, heads came together and tongues began to wag madly with their speculations as to what binding spell she’d used upon him.
“You think it’s blackmail?”
“It’d have to be. Look at her! And she’s human to boot! She must have sold her soul to her devil to turn his head.”
“You sureshe’sthe one? Could be one of the other ladies in the crew. What of that tall skinny one?”
“Maybe it’s a prank or a ruse?”
On and on it went until she was ready to run and hide in the deepest, darkest pit she could find. Anything to get them to find a new topic.
And a new target for their mean speculation.
Only her pride kept her in place. But it was the most difficultof actions, and her heart was pounding for all it was worth, and more, as she leaned closer to Belle. “Did we step in something foul like Cookie’s three-rotted pie? I’m beginning to think I might have some dog feces on me shoe, what with the way they be staring, and gossiping, and all. Could have sworn I took me bath and everything.”
Just as Belle started to answer, a posh brunette lady approached them. Perfectly formed in her elegance and stuffed into her lacings so tightly ’twas a wonder she hadn’t harmed herself with the bindings, she was grace incarnate. Tall and lithe, she only worsened Cameron’s low opinion of herself, and left her wanting to cringe that she didn’t hold even a candle’s wick to the lass.
But rather than let the woman,andthe room, know it, Cameron forced herself to stiffen her spine and keep her head up high. Though she didn’t feel it, she could at least pretend to have some self-esteem.
The lady quickly looked past Cameron to sweep a less-than-flattering stare over Belle. “Are you the one my Kalderan fancies?”
HerKalder?
The fish-bitch had some nerve there…
Cameron arched a brow over that possessive tone that flew up on her about as well as someone messing with Sallie’s soul bottle.
Belle looked aghast. “Beg pardon?”
“You can beg all you want, commoner, but the prince is mine. Now that he’s returned home, I suggest you both slither back to your respective holes and remember that you don’t belong here and that you cannot compete with one ofusin looks, grace, intelligence, or abilities.”
