“You don’t like him much, do you?” I probably shouldn’t have said anything, but my mouth seemed to have a mind of its own here.
Prince Caius’s lips twitched. He picked up dancing where we’d left off, staring thoughtfully over my shoulder. “How much do you know of our court?” he asked unexpectedly.
Was he changing the subject? “Not much.”
He tilted his chin as if considering where to begin. “You may be aware that I’m the sole heir to the throne.” He ignored the shift in music to a higher tempo, continuing to spin us slowly across the dance floor. “Though being an only child is hardly rare for our kind, when my mother died, that left me with only my father for family.”
I frowned, unsure of what any of this had to do with Soren, but he continued without prompting. “When I met Soren’s sister, I thought I’d found a solution to my struggles.” He inhaled deeply, slowing to a stop so he could pull back and meet my eyes. “I confess, I’d hoped to marry her. But Soren... He shared a rumor with her that caused her to withdraw her interest. She never spoke to me again.”
At some point during his story, my mouth had fallen open. “No!” I gasped. “How could he?” The idea of Soren spreading stories about Caius hit another familiar chord. I had way too much experience with that back home.
“Suffice it to say, my feelings for Soren are complicated.” He lightly tapped my chin, tilting it up so I’d meet his eyes. “You, on the other hand, are fascinating.”
Uncomfortable with the abrupt change in topic, I pulled away. “I should get going.”
Caius didn’t let go of my hand though. Instead, he tugged me back toward him with a smile. “To search for your missing someone?”
My heart pounded as if I’d given myself away, but I hadn’t said anything incriminating... had I? I nodded, since my mouth was too dry to speak.
Turning my hand over in his, the prince stroked his thumb across my palm thoughtfully. “I have many resources in my position,” he murmured, then pressed his lips to the top of my hand like an old-fashioned gentleman. It was weird. My eyes whipped to his as he straightened, and I tried to act unaffected, like people went around kissing my hand all the time, as he asked, “Would you allow me to help?”
I blinked at him. “Why would you help me?”
The corner of his mouth tilted up. “So direct.”
I blushed.ItoldSoren I wouldn’t fit in here.
He leaned in until his lips brushed my cheek and whispered, “Maybe I like you enough to offer. And maybe I also like seeing Soren squirm.” Pulling back, he grinned, back to his easygoing self. “Can I admit to both?”
He had one of those smiles that drew out my own without me even realizing it. “I guess so,” I said shyly. I didn’t mind making Soren wait, since he was doing the same to me. “But I honestly don’t know what you can do.”
Still holding my hand, Caius drew me through the crowd, ignoring the dancers around us. We moved past the base of the steps that led to the thrones, entering a smaller connected room with sofas, chairs, and a table piled with food. Though a few fae lounged inside, they got up and left when the prince snapped his fingers and waved toward the door.
“Sit,” he told me, settling onto a couch, patting the cushion beside him before resting his arm across the back. “Tell me everything. When was the last time you saw them?”
No way I’d be doingthat. But maybe I could share just enough... I perched on the edge of the couch.
“I lost them at the south entrance.” Hopefully he’d recognize the name Lore had used.
One brow rose, and he dipped his chin as he leaned forward. “You’re aware Soren works at the south entrance?”
My lips twisted bitterly. “I am. Like you said, he’s holding his information closely.”
Caius sighed, staring out at the empty room as he rubbed a hand across his face. “If only I could command him to help you. But that would be an abuse of power, and even the royal family has limitations.”
I sighed too. I’d found the one and only fae with morals. “I understand.”
His hand on my knee brought all my attention abruptly there. “All is not lost,” Caius said firmly, pulling back before I could freak out too much. “Describe who you’re looking for.”
For once, I didn’t mind being bossed around since he was clearly trying to help. Even if he only wanted to make Soren jealous, it was still an opportunity.
Opening my mouth, I hesitated. “I can’t explain why or how I know them, but they’re four”—I caught myself before I said “people,” a word the fae didn’t seem to use—“humans.”
“Ah.” Caius nodded knowingly. “These mortals stole something from you?”
I cleared my throat, struggling to come up with a lie. “Not... exactly.”
“Not something, so much as information?” He tilted his head curiously.
