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“Only a couple more steps,” he urged, pushing open my chamber door.
I raced to the bathroom and emptied the contents of my stomach into the toilet—my back straining from the force as if my body tried to purge whatever magical incantation festered inside. I felt heavy and weak. Clammy and dizzy. Resting my head against the seat, I wiped my bottom lip and noticed how the room seemed to pulsate in my vision.
I savored the moment of calm that passed over me, bracing myself on the rim as my mouth watered and bile splashed into the water.
My body fell limp. There was nothing left—yet the sensation lingered and threatened to wrap its claws around me and squeeze until only a hollow corpse remained. If this was what death felt like, I silently begged her to find mercy and put me out of this star’s awful misery.
“Do you need any help in there?” Talon asked from outside the washroom.
I could tell by his clipped tone that my nausea was contagious and had found its way to him. A strong, powerful fae, uncomfortable with a little vomit? Priceless. I smiled. Against every miserable instinct, I smiled.
“No.” I flushed the toilet. “I think I’m good now.”
I caught his chiseled profile resting against the door frame as I padded over to the sink to rinse my mouth. He flexed his jaw. Those jaded eyes lost in a memory. Stars, he was beautiful. The veins in his forearms bulged as he adjusted his stance, and my chest swelled, recalling his firm grip on my hips. How truly commanding and dominating he was.
My arm brushed his as I walked to my bed, toward a large decorative box that sat on top of the comforter. A shiver shot up my spine. I tried to ignore the effect Talon had on me, but my body forced me to acknowledge it—a memory now imprinted inside me. I half hoped he’d reach for me, pull me toward him like he did last night, and warm my balmy skin.
But his touch never came.
Disappointment ate away at me, and I knew I couldn’t let it show. So, swallowing my pride, I brushed a hand over the gold box, admiring the silk red bow.
“Did you bring me this?” I twisted the bow around my index finger.
Talon appeared at my side and shook his head. “No, it was here when we arrived. There’s a note.” He reached for the small tag at the base of the bow and read the message aloud for me, “Looking forward to your presence tonight at the royal ball, can’t wait to see you fill it out. Until we meet at the Grand Hall at dusk. Yours, Prince Bowen.”
“The prince?” A sense of dread washed over me.
I pulled the periwinkle tulle dress from the box. Layers and layers of fabric billowed free, weighing heavy in my arms. The puffy satin sleeves were as thick as clouds, the corset embroidered with iridescent sequins. It glowed under the candlelight above, reflecting harsh and blinding hues.
Talon pursed his lips, trying but failing to conceal his amusement.
“Why would he send me a gift?” I added, “I can’t accept this.”
He shrugged, slipping his hands into his pockets. “Then don’t go.”
“And let the king know he won? No way.”
He shook his head, letting out a breathy laugh. “So risk being indebted to the prince. I’m sure that’ll work out well for you,” he chided and strolled toward the door, indifference rippling off his words.
Irritation bubbled up inside me—how could he stroll into my room last night, kiss me stupid, and then act like it never happened? Like it was nothing—like I was nothing.
“You just don’t want me to go,” I said to his back, placing my hands on my hips in defiance.
Talon flashed me a wolfish smile as he turned around, approaching me with ghostly calmness. “No.” He stopped an inch short of me. His warm, woodsy scent was a remedy for my queasiness. “I just think you’re being foolish.”
I scoffed. “Foolish? How am I being foolish?” My eyebrows pinched together with anger.
“You’re smart, firefly.” Talon licked his lips, his eyes darting to my mouth. “I’m sure you can put the pieces together.”
“Stop calling me that.”
He brushed his fingers along my jaw, and my lips parted for him. “Why don’t you get some rest? I’ll tell the king you’re sick and can’t attend tonight.”
I huffed a laugh. “Oh, I get it. You’re back to being a condescending prick, noted.” I flashed him a fake smile. “I’m more than capable of making my own decisions, thank you. Please, do me the favor and see yourself out.”
Talon flexed his jaw, his body turning to stone as he stared at me, but I held his gaze. “My pleasure,” he said.
If he wanted to act like nothing happened, that was fine by me. Pushing my feelings aside came second nature—I’d done it my entire life. From school kids teasing me to my mother’s sickness, to this damn trial. I had it perfected.
