He leaned against the wall, towering over me, the picture of tranquility. His head cocked to the side as he examined me from head to toe. I felt myself weaken under his intense gaze. “I must say, you arequitethe dancer Eva.”
“I could say the same about you…?”
“Matthew,” he paused, cocking an eyebrow when I stared at him expectantly. “Just Matthew.” A presumptuous grin spread across his lips. Lips I couldn’t resist drifting to. His eyes flared as he caught the meaning behind my glance.
“Well, it’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Matthew,” I said with a low curtsy.
“It is a pleasure, isn’t it?” he crooned. Once again, his mouth quirked. His hand reached out to take mine, his thumb brushed my pulse, and it immediately quickened.
“I’m glad I could sneak you away from your bodyguard for a moment. You’d looked far too ravishing coming down those steps to hide away outside all night. I simply couldn’t help but be drawn to you,” he said. His voice dripped with innuendo. Who was this man to have such an effect on me?
A stern voice rang across the hall and caught my attention. I could hear my name above the noise of the crowd. I turned to see Damien thundering toward us. Matthew seemed to follow my gaze, and irritation flickered across his face before a calm mask fell back into place. His hand was still drawing circles on mine, I realized too late.
Damien’s glare drifted toward our hands as he halted in front of me. The tension was thick in the air as both men stared each other down before speaking.
“Eva, your father sent me to collect you,” he said. His eyes never left Matthew’s as his hand reached for my arm and tugged it gently.
Matthew chuckled. “You know… It’s funny. I didn’t see the king anywhere near you before you stormed over here and interrupted our conversation. In fact, he looks quite engaged with…” He bent around us to look at where my father was talking with a foreign dignitary. “I believe that’s the trade commissioner for Angoria, isn’t it? I could be mistaken. It’s been years since he’s been seen in public.” He dropped his voice and stage whispered to me, “Very nasty business when your mistress causes riots in the street because you’ve stopped her monthly stipends.” I giggled, pausing as I took in Damien’s scowl. He was pissed. Thoroughly and completely pissed.
Damien glowered. “You didn’t seem to be concerned about interrupting our conversation earlier. You’ll forgive me if I show you the same courtesy you showed me.”
“Men,” I muttered under my breath. “The last time I checked, I was a grown ass woman, perfectly capable of talking to whoever I want. If you both are so inclined to mark your territory, do it over someone else.” I rolled my eyes as I pushed past them both. I turned around on second thought, catching the amusement dancing across Matthew’s face. “It really was a pleasure meeting you. Save me another dance if you can.”
Damien ran to keep up with me, pleased with himself.
“You’re welcome,” he sang from next to me, a smirk of satisfaction on his face.
“And what, exactly, am I welcome for?” I demanded.
“For saving you back there. I know how much you hated the attention,” he said.
What an arrogant little prick to assume I loathed the company of anyone but him. “Did you think you were doing me a favor by interrupting a pleasant conversation?” He reeled back as if I had slapped him.
We stopped near a column by the thrones. My father seemed to be engaged in a conversation with a local lord now. Clearly not expecting my attention as direly as was conveyed. “Do you expect me to believe that you enjoyed that?” He pointed back to where Matthew was standing. I noticed he was still staring at us. His eyes traveled along the length of my body, and my heart sped up when he met my gaze.
I didn’t understand what was so hard to believe. While the man had gotten under Damien’s skin, Matthew had seemed kind. Mysterious perhaps, but I rather enjoyed it honestly. It was a refreshing change from the absolute ass kissing that went on within the palace walls. There was something about him that made me feel alive. It also helped he wasn’t falling over my feet to please me. I wanted more.
“I didn’t have a problem with the pleasure of his company, and you don’t have to swoop in like a knight in shining armor when I’m having a conversation with another man,” I snapped. Thankfully, my sister crept up next to us and grabbed ahold of Damien’s arm. I noted the gesture and held back a biting remark.
“Oh Damien, there you are! I’ve been looking all over for you. Lord Nolan wanted to speak with you regarding… Well, I’m not sure honestly. But he saw you were my escort and just knew that I could find you.” Erina smiled, her sweet demeanor chipping away at my patience.
I took this as my opportunity. I plastered the fakest smile I could muster across my face and sweetened my voice. “We wouldn’t want to keep Lord Nolan waiting now, would we?” Damien cut me a sharp look. “Please give him my regards.”
Erina dragged Damien off by the arm, and while I was irritated, I couldn’t help but think that it was what he deserved. I turned on my heel, scanning the room for the tall, handsome stranger. He was smiling as he lifted a glass of wine in salute. I bowed my head slightly in his direction, returning his enigmatic smirk.
I jumped at the sound of my father’s voice behind me. “Who was that charming looking lad you danced with earlier, Eva?”
“He said his name was Matthew,” I paused. “He was rather charming, wasn’t he?” I smiled up at my father, looping my arm into his as we walked around the room. I loved my father dearly. We had always been close, but after my mother’s death, we were nearly inseparable. He had lost so much, yet he still found the beauty in each day. I was never sure if I could have done the same. To lose someone you love was horrible, but with the mating bond that my parents had… It would have felt like trying to breathe with shards of glass shoved down your throat. So many followed their mate into the afterworld, but not my father. For that, I admired him more than I could ever tell him.
“As far as parties go, Father… This one isn’t half bad.” I gestured around the room. It was obvious how many people were enjoying themselves. Hell, even I was having a good evening. Especially after dancing with Matthew…
“Yes, well… I’d be lying if I told you I didn’t have ulterior motives, my dear. The time is coming where you will ascend the throne and the council has expressed their concern with your marital status, or lack thereof, I suppose,” he paused as I rolled my eyes. Fuck the council. I’d been over our laws more times than I could count and there was no rule stating that I had to be married to claim my birthright. What good was a husband when I had my duty to look forward to?
“Father…” I began, but he held up a hand to stop me.
“I know what you’re going to say, Eva. Believe me, I’m more on your side than you think, but you’ll need the support of the council to be successful in your role.”
I scoffed. “Then I’ll replace every single individual that dares to speak against me. I believe in myself and that’s enough for me. I don’t need a man to help define my worth, and I sure as hell don’t need arm candy.”
