I don’t want his heart to be happy. I don’t want him to feel anything at all when he looks at me. He is light and sunshine, and I am a wounded animal hiding under a bush, claws out, waiting to slash at anyone who dares to venture too close.
Maddox has crossed that line.
“For the last time, I’m not attracted to you, Maddox. I find your body vulgar and your face grotesque.”
His smile fades, and I instantly want to take it all back.
Every harsh word.
Every terrible lie?—
He blinks his dark eyes, then huffs a laugh. The sound is so startling, so unexpected, that I stumble back a step, out of his embrace and onto the searing gravel.
“You think I wish to mate with you?” His nose wrinkles, and if I didn’t know better, I’d say he looks disgusted by the idea.
Of course he wants to mate with me . . . doesn’t he?
His peal of laughter makes my stomach tighten, and not the way it normally does in his presence. “You are far too small for me, Nia Quill.”
Excuse me. I amnotsmall; he’s unnaturally large. “Then why do you keep asking about my birthday?”
“You are cousin to my friend’s mate. Am I not meant to be friendly to you?”
Hold on just a moment. Is he saying that he’s only been teasing me to be nice and not because of some deep, unrequited feelings?
Have I been misunderstanding him this whole time?
He’s been flirting with me, sure, but I flirt with plenty of men I’m not interested in.
I feel like such a fool, especially when he follows the sentiment with a pat on my head, like I’m his bloomin’ goat.
I couldn’t have misread the signals that badly. Then again, I was wrong about Nolan, wasn’t I? Why wouldn’t I be wrong about Maddox as well?
“So, youdon’tlike me?” I ask, needing to be certain.
His broad shoulders lift and lower in a shrug. “You are fair for a Seelie. But there is a female in my village who holds my affection.”
Oh. Right. Of course. Just because Everett is head over heels for Kerris doesn’t mean all the Unseelie are looking for a Seelie bride. Hell, most of them don’t even bother crossing the bridge for more than water from our well.
“I’m so sorry, Maddox. I was worried about leading you on, but clearly, that isn’t the case.”
The muscles in his arms bunch and shift as he folds them over his chest. Something I should definitely not be noticing given the present situation. “Do you think you can withstand the presence of a grotesque-faced and vulgar-bodied male such as myself?”
After all the kindness he’s shown me, I had to spew those lies, didn’t I? What is wrong with me? Shame burns like wildfire up my throat. “I never should’ve said that. It was unfair.”
He shrugs once more, his good humor restored. “I am not so easily shaken. Many of the Seelie fae likely feel the same.”
Except for those women over there, staring at him like he’s a warm, flaky pastry smothered in butter and jam. If he wasn’t interested in them, how could I think he would possibly be interested in me?
“I’m sorry all the same, and I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me.”
“Think nothing of it.” With that, he trots over to the women from the lake, answering their smiles with one of his own.
Think nothing of it.
Easy for him to say.
Those words are going to haunt me for the rest of my days.
