Wine.
The growing excitement in the room had done nothing to slow the anxiety that was now in full bloom in my chest. Everything around me felt like it was racing. I needed something to dull my senses. So, when a servant pushed by with a tray ofcrystal goblets, I snatched one and immediately swept it up to my lips. Whatever warnings the twins had given me were long forgotten by the time the sweet liquid pooled in my throat. It was so delicious, I couldn’t stop tipping the goblet more and more. The taste reminded me of sugary fruits…
Fresh plums.
Honey syrup.
Sweet—oh. It was all gone.
As I dragged the goblet slowly away from my lips, any nearby fae swirled into a mishmash of brilliant colours. Breathing in deep, my body began to twirl in place. I didn’t know at what point the faery music started, but by the time it did, I was already dancing. Before I knew it, two other faeries took my hands, or maybe I took theirs – who knows? The memory was foggy. Either way, I was swept into a vast, endlessly spinning dance circle. Uncontrollable giggles bounced off my chest as we danced and danced and danced, only stopping when a pair of strong, familiar hands found my waist and rudely plucked me out from the circle.
“You’ve had some wine, little human,” a male voice tutted as I spun around to face him.
Before me stood a tall, devastatingly handsome faery. But not just any faery – a prince. The same prince I’d kissed in the Crystal Caverns less than a week ago. As the wine swirled my thoughts, all I could think about was the way his mouth had explored mine, and how I desperately wanted him to do it again – right here in the middle of this ballroom.
“I’ve done nothing wrong!” I teased back with a pout. “I was just innocently enjoying myself, dancing with my new friends.”
“Your new friends?” He tilted his head, replying in an amused tone. “I’ll have to remind my sisters to keep a closer eye on you.”
“I’m having fun!”
“I’m not denying that,” he chuckled. My breath stilled as hishands trailed down from my exposed shoulders to my fingertips. Once he reached them, he interlocked my fingers in his and tugged me towards his chest. “But the wine is blinding you, sweet princess. You don’t see what I see.”
“And what is that?”
His lips brushed my ear, voice dropping to a low whisper. “Every faery’s eyes on you.”
Before I could protest, he lifted a slender finger to my chin and tilted it slowly to the side. In a wine-soaked blend of colours, I could just about make out the hazy figures of several faeries. I couldn’t tell if he was right – if they were even watching me – but either way, I could feel stares burning into my neck.
“Shall we give them a show?” His voice vibrated in my ear, sending a shiver down my spine. Then, his lips were on mine again, but only for a short beautiful moment before they pulled away. The hand that was by my chin dropped to my waist while the other lifted my unsuspecting arm as I was whisked into a slow waltz.
Like two swans on a misty lake, we glided around the dance floor. With every minute Arenn held me in his arms, more space cleared for us. And the moment my gaze flicked from him to the hundreds of fae now in awe of our dance, his velvety voice lured me back.
“Dance for them, Princess. But keep your eyes on me. Only me.” Then, he lifted me high into the air, my skirts flowing in a wide spectacular circle around us. Gasps echoed from the surrounding crowd, and once again, Arenn seemed to bask in their adoration as he flashed our audience a glowing smile. This was supposed to be a special moment, just for the two of us, so why did I feel like I was merely a prop while he played the starring role?
When he finally lowered my body, he tucked me close to his chest as we continued waltzing. I couldn’t deny that he wasan excellent dancer. And with his effortless way of speaking and charming faery features, it was no wonder that he was so popular here. Still, even with our limbs entangled in this way, I couldn’t shake the gnawing feeling that something wasn’t right. Our bodies fit together so perfectly, but did our minds? He was handsome, but what else?
I needed more.
“So, Prince Arenn,” I began, trying my hardest to keep the wine from slurring my words.
He tilted his chin down to smile upon me. “Yes, little human?”
“I’ve been thinking—”
“Beware of thinking too deeply. Sometimes simple thoughts develop into dangerous ideas,” he warned, patting my waist with his fingers before returning his gaze to the audience.
My eyes narrowed, but ignoring his dismissal, I pressed on anyway, “I was going to ask…” His attention snapped back to me. “What do faery children study at school?”
A silky laugh caught in his throat. “Are my dancing skills so bad that you would rather speak of my education?” He lifted my arm to twirl me in place.
“Not at all,” I answered when I flew back to his chest. “I just want to learn more about you.”
“Curious human.”
A few moments passed before I realised that he had absolutely no intention of answering my question. So, with a huff, I tried again, “How about this? What’s your favourite thing to do? You know, when you’re not being a prince?”
Give me something. I need something more than just this fiery attraction between us.
