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He took a gulp of air, scanning the courtyard again. His eyes caught on the tree line, but when I looked, there was only darkness and hints of colorful tents beyond.
“It won’t work.”
If I had a year for every time someone had said that to me, I’d soon live as long as the fae. “Then it won’t hurt to agree.”
He grinned. “Deal. I can grant you a favor. But I’ll need something in return.”
“I can’t make an alliance.”
“I know.” He played with a coil of my hair. We were quite the contrasting pair—him like the golden sun and me with the first hints of night. “What I ask is in repayment for my sister.” I wrinkled my forehead. His face came closer, until his breath brushed over my nose. “Grant me this, and you will have your favor. I suspect you were willing to kiss me to get your favor anyway. One kiss, and it’s yours.”
He hesitated only for a moment, letting his nose rest near mine and his eyelashes flutter shut. His gentle hand went through my hair and he paused, taking in the scent of me. Waiting for me to accept.
One favor, one kiss. It would be the easiest deal I made.
I hesitantly put my lips against his.
He tasted of the pudding and of satisfaction. My hand gripped his arm, pulling myself close.
Kissing someone I didn’t have feelings for ought to feel flat, but the feeling that rushed through me was anything but dull. It was intoxicating. Deep. Longing. The lure of a fae king at work. Mortals couldn’t resist their charm.
I kissed him for far longer than I intended. I suspected he’d let me kiss him forever if I didn’t stop.
I forced myself to pull back. His eyelids opened and he held my gaze for a moment. Then he smiled broadly. Something twinkled in his eyes with the promise of secrets I would never get to know.
“That was all I needed.” Once he’d broken away, the overwhelming desire to be close to him faded, and guilt rushed in.
I shouldn’t have done that. It was funny how one bad decision could bring the clarity you lacked before you made it, but it was always too late.
He stood unfazed and offered a hand. “The favor is yours. If you ever need anything else”—a wicked gleam danced in his eyes—“I’m always here. But first I should escort you home. I suspect another fae king wishes for a word with you.”
He laced his long fingers through mine and guided me from the courtyard. Leaves rustled behind us. But there was no breeze.
I glanced back, where shadows lingered between the trees. Beneath them, I swore I saw someone.
But they pulled back and left me with questions I’d never get to ask.
Thorn said he wanted payment for what happened to his sister. Bash broke his sister’s heart. He’d been scanning the trees, waiting, biding his time. Unease clenched me. The figure in the courtyard.
“Is Bash here?” My words were breathy.
Thorn grinned. “Would you have kissed me if he was?”
I didn’t have the answer to that. I spun around, staring deep into the trees. The noise of the island suddenly boomed too loud, and the pressure in my head exploded. I shot Thorn a devilish glare.
“Answer me. Is Bash here? Is that why you had me kiss you?”
Thorn continued to walk without me. “The deal is made,” he said lightly. “But my advice I give freely.” He stopped and turned. “Strategize with your head, never your heart. Your head can save you. Your heart will only lead to him, and ruin lies there.”
Bash was waiting in my room when I returned, pacing the floor like a scowling lion. His frown deepened when he spotted me in the doorway. I held my head high. I had nothing to apologize for and nothing to explain.
He, however, did. “What were you doing on Illusion Point?”
“You summoned me,” he replied in a tight tone. “I thought you did. But Thorn—” he bit down on his words.
So that was what Thorn had been doing while I was selling a memory. He was summoning Bash.
“I have nothing to explain to you,” I said. “I’ve done nothing wrong.” I bent to untie my shoes and make certain the watch I’d acquired from Illusion Point was concealed.
