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“Getting some fresh air. My days here are numbered, so I figured I’d try to make the best of it.” I peered up at Talon for reassurance, but he kept his sight focused ahead. His jaw clenched.
“I see, I see. Did you enjoy yourself at the ball the other night? You disappeared far too soon. A shame, if you ask me.” His hand came up to my shoulder and squeezed.
I balled my hand into a fist. Who did he think he was? I wanted to smack his hand off me and punch him in the nose for being presumptuous, but I knew better. Males like him didn’t take rejection well. Being denied wasn’t part of their experience.
“I had too much faerie juice—it was best I went to lie down. I’d gotten pretty sick.” The stolen moment Talon and I had shared in the kitchen that night swarmed my thoughts, my skin tingling in response to his soft, caressing touches that harassed my dreams.
Talon tensed beside me as if he was recalling it as well.
The prince laughed. “You can never have too much fae juice, Ms. Rosewood. The only actual solution is to have more. I wish you would’ve stayed. And to have seen you in my gown, well, that would have been a delight.”
An elegant gazebo loomed ahead. Golden vines weaved through the cedar slats, mixing with bronze leaves and flowers. It faced a clear pond filled with an assortment of fish, covered by the shade of a magnificent willow tree. Shade that I suddenly wished would shelter me from the burning palms of the prince.
I took a deep breath and flashed him my most sincere smile as he took my hand in his, helping me step up into the gazebo.
“Speaking of,” he continued, taking a seat on the wooden bench that faced the pond, motioning for me to do the same.
I hesitated, looking to Talon for confirmation before my attention was stolen once more.
“I’ve been thinking. Seeing as how you didn’t need help with a dress, I wanted to offer you somethingmore desirable. I have some pull on what goes on around here, you know.” He leaned back. “Perhaps your freedom?”
My spine went rigid as I sat beside Prince Bowen, keeping as much distance between us as possible. I looked at him. His blond hair glistened in the sunlight and matched the golden landscape around us. A prince among prosperity, he fit in as easily as the bronze leaves among gold.
“My freedom?” I pressed, swallowing the lump in my throat. “As in, going back home to Wendover?”
Prince Bowen waved his hand. “Yes, of course.”
“Why?”
Talon rested his shoulder against the archway and cleaned his fingernails with a small knife.
“Why not?” the prince pondered, giving Talon a side glance. “I’m feeling generous. After all, I’m not my father.” He paused. “Of course”—he pinned me with expectant eyes—“I would like something in return. A favor, if you will.”
Disappointment twinged in my chest. There was a catch—and there always was with the fae. I noticed Talon clench his jaw and briefly roll his eyes in annoyance before he leveled his expression back into neutrality.
“Like what?”
“Your time. A night of pleasantries, to be exact.” He adjusted himself on the bench, rubbing his hands along the top of his pants. He appearedsincere. Nervous, even.
And for a quick moment, he didn’t appear to be the evil, maniacal heir to his father’s corrupt court. Rather a sad, lost soul yearning for connection.
“The power you hold, Elowyn. It almost brings me to my knees. I’d give you your freedom just for a night with you. It’s a shame we couldn’t spend more time together at the ball.” His eyes cut to Talon.
Only a night? That didn’t sound too bad.
I mulled over his words, trying to find the loophole, but couldn’t find anything that stood out. Nevertheless, there was no doubt in my mind it was too good to be true. Too simple. And I knew when it came to the fae, nothing was ever simple.
Yet, part of me dared to take him up on it.
Talon cleared his throat. “While astempting as your offer sounds, Elowyn and I must get back to training”—he fingered the air, signaling it was time to leave—“these next two weeks are imperative with it being the last two trials and all. I’m sure you understand.”
The prince and Talon stared each other down.
I sat there awkwardly, tugging at the hem of my shirt, attempting not to appear as awkward as I felt. The look on both of their faces hinted at violence, and I sucked in a breath. Getting as far away from either of them before that threat came true became imperative.
Only, the promise of freedom was within reach, and the thought of turning it away made my insides crawl.
“You keep speaking for the human as if she has no voice of her own.” The prince pulled his attention away from Talon and looked at me. His expression was once again welcoming. “Elowyn, you’re entitled to relax. You mustn’t train every moment of the day—you wouldn’t want to burn yourself out, would you? Please, allow me the honor of your company.”
