Her eyebrows shot up her forehead. “A chaperone?” She laughed. “Are you serious?”
He stepped closer. There was only a foot of space between them now. “How do you know he’s not a danger to you?”
From this close, he could almost count her long, black eyelashes. Could lean in and kiss her, if he wanted to. He’d certainly dreamed about her mouth often enough.
“Why do you suddenly care?” she said, breaking up his thoughts.
The sound of trumpets interrupted, heralding someone important.
Emeline glanced over his shoulder. “That’ll be Kaede …”
“On a first name basis, are you?”
Emeline ignored this and stepped around him, starting towards the ballroom.
He thought of the king’s hand resting on her back.
They’ve been inseparable, Rooke’s voice echoed in his mind.
That white-hot feeling in Hawthorne’s chest flared, burning hotter.
Why does it matter, asked a meddling voice inside him,if she’s not for you?
Because he didn’t want her getting hurt—not by him, not by anyone.
Hawthorne went after her. He followed her through the curtains, then stepped in front of her, blocking her way.
She halted. “What is yourproblem?” Her voice was sharp. Her gaze was sharper.
“I’m trying to—”
Something over his shoulder caught her attention, and thespark went out of her. Just like last night in the rain, she seemed to wither in front of him.
“Aspen is here,” she said, muted. “You should go dance with her.”
His brow furrowed. “What makes you think I have any interest in dancing?”
Her dark gaze locked back on his. “It’s a ball, Hawthorne. Dancing is the point.”
“Well, it’s not whyI’mhere.” He stepped forward, forcing her back through the curtains and onto the balcony.
“And why are you here?”
“To warn you,” he said, walking her backwards.
“About Kaede.” She sighed.
A cold gust of wind hit, and she shivered. Hawthorne glanced down to find her bare arms covered in goose bumps. Unbuttoning his coat, he tugged it off and draped it over her shoulders.
“Are you really leaving with him tomorrow?”
Sheltered in his jacket, Emeline tipped her face upwards, narrowing her eyes at him. “Were you eavesdropping on us?”
“Is it true? Are you going to the Winter Court?”
Her eyes shone. “Kaede invited me. The king gave me leave.”
“And you’re going.”
