I was done.
I caused the temperature on her ornate gold bracelet to rise, just enough to get her notice. She gasped and withdrew her hand. As the bracelet slid along her wrist, it revealed an angry red patchsurrounding her skin. Whoops, maybe I had gone slightly overboard. Oh well, it wouldn’t blister and probably would fade by morning. Or the next day. I felt a savage sense of satisfaction, watching her whimper and cradle her wrist.
I spun on my heel, leaving her gaping like a fish and probably already starting to discuss how rudely the new princess had treated her. Good. Let her talk. At least now she knew exactly who she was dealing with.
Finn met me with a new glass of the bubbly drink and I downed it. “What is this stuff?”
“It’s called champagne. Take it easy—it can sneak up on you.”
I gave him an arch look and exchanged my empty glass for his full one, but sipped it.
“I see you met Aine. Odious woman.”
I giggled into my drink but then asked the question I really wanted to know. “Did Griff really sleep with her?”
“She told you that? That’s a bit bold, even for her.”
I made a face. “She went on and on about how she had him first. I assume they aren’t together now?” I think I kept my voice steady as I asked that question.
Finn snorted. “Certainly not. He hates her.”
“Then why would he sleep with her?” The question burst out before I could think better of it. I was surprised at how desperate I sounded. Like the answer mattered. Like I was still comparing myself to her and not finding myself winning.
“It was years ago. And, well, he was drunk.” Finn shrugged as if that explained it. Maybe it did. AlthoughGriffanddrunkwere not two words I expected in the same sentence. “And in his defense, she didn’t show her true colors until afterward.”
But what did he see in her to begin with? There certainly weren’t any physical similarities between us. And if she was his type…
“I can’t believe it.” Except Icouldbelieve it—and that was the problem. The picture of the two of them together was now searedinto my mind. Her perfect curves pressed against his strong body, her golden hair spread over his naked chest. I wanted to punch that perfect face.
“Yeah, well, he was drunk,” he said again, taking his drink back from me. “Happens to the best of us.”
“Did you sleep with her too?” I asked incredulously.
He choked on the champagne. “Voda’s tits, no! What do you take me for, an idiot?”
I tensed as I felt Griff’s presence behind me before he spoke. Of course he approached while I was interrogating his brother about his sexual conquests with a perfect blonde goddess, as if I had some sort of right to know these answers. But I didn’t. I had no claim on him at all.
“What are you talking about?” His voice was neutral, but edged with wariness. I wanted to demand answers from him of what he saw in her. But I didn’t turn around, just stared into my empty champagne glass as if I could climb into it.
“Lexa got to meet Aine.”
Great. Thanks, Finn.
Griff gave an audible groan and rubbed his hand over his eyes before running it through his sandy waves. “Gods help me. That was ages ago.” The resignation in his voice should have raised my spirits. But drunk or not, he had chosen her.
“Exactly how much did you have to drink that night?” I asked suspiciously.
“Plenty.”
Finn was openly grinning at his brother’s discomfort.
Griff continued, “And if you are going to ask me these questions, I’m going to need a drink tonight.” Something flickered in his eyes, and the fact that I couldn’t tell what emotion it was made everything worse. Could it be regret? Embarrassment? This was going to drive me mad.
“Thanks, brother, me too.” Finn clapped him on the back. “Lexie?”I nodded my assent as Finn shoved Griff in the direction of the bar. Griff groaned, but walked off.
I watched him walk away; the cut of his coat really was magnificent. I knew his shoulders were broad, but something about the formal lines truly highlighted them. I sighed internally. I knew what I had seen in his eyes. Knew what I’d felt while he held me and danced with me. But was Aine really the type of woman he was attracted to? And how could I get these thoughts out of my head?
“So, Lexie, you’ve almost survived your first High Day ball. What do you think?”
