“Have you no shame?” Blossom spits, but the other princesses have already turned into a fit of giggles.
“None at all.” Dahlia shrugs.
Camellia suddenly gasps. “The letters!” She pokes Blossom’s arm.
The second eldest’s frown is replaced by a look of surprise. “Oh yes,” she starts, turning to Ruby. “We came up with a code for you, so you can actually reply to our letters without worrying about them getting caught by Father.” She pulls a sheet of parchment from her bodice and passes it to Ruby. “Use a red envelope and we’ll always know it’s from you. Even if your seal belongs to the baker.”
“Or Blossom’s shoemaker,” Dahlia taunts, grinning as Blossom blushes.
“Yes, or the shoemaker.” She clears her throat, glaring at Dahlia. “Just use this code to write your letters and there’ll be no risk of Father ever figuring out you’re still alive.” She turns back to Ruby, who clutches the cream parchment as if her life depends on it.
“I’ll write every week.” Her voice shakes. “And I’ll try to visit as much as possible.”
“We’ll come to you too,” Blossom says. “If we can sneak away.”
“I can help with that.” A small princess with almost-white hair pipes up from the back.
My brow scrunches in confusion. That’s odd. I don’t remember seeing her when we arrived at the dance circle, or… ever.
“Thank you, Fern,” Camellia says in a harsh tone. “Nice of you to finally show up.”
“I’ve been here the whole time!” the mousy girl protests.
“She has.” Ruby smiles at her, before addressing the group one last time. “I’ll miss you girls, but like Kasimir said, I’ll only ever be a letter away.” Her watery gaze hardens on Blossom and Camellia. “Look after them for me.”
They nod slowly, holding back their own tears.
“Let’s go.” My hand slips into Ruby’s. With a final look back, she turns from the dance circle, squeezing my hand tighter with every step.
Half an hour later, we’re walking hand in hand down the forest path that leads to Night Alley. Above us, moonlight glides through the tree branches, painting soft patterns on the grassy floor. I should find it beautiful, but I can’t take my eyes off the angel walking beside me. Starlight trickles down her long hair, tempting me to wrap it around my fist and take her against a tree, like my body is screaming at me to do.
“Are you sure Meera will be alright without us?”
I cough, pushing the filthy thought from my mind. “She’ll be fine,” I say gruffly. She’d stayed behind to ensure the princesses made it back to their bedchambers safely. Not that she’d be in any trouble without us. Any monsters in this forest would run the other way if they saw Meera approaching.
“It’s a beautiful night,” Ruby sighs, tempting me again as she lifts her chin to the stars. Red hair falls away from her neck, and it takes everything within me not to kiss it.
“Yes. Beautiful,” I say, unable to look anywhere other than her skin.
She stops walking to glance at me. “What?” she giggles. “Why are you staring at me like that?”
Fuck it. I push her backwards, slowing before we reach a tree to press her back gently against it. I don’t want to overwhelm her, but I can’t take it any more. “Can I kiss you?” I ask in a low voice.
She blinks up at me, smiling before chewing on her lower lip. “I don’t know… Can you?”
“Ruby,” I warn.
“You’ve been too gentle with me lately,” she murmurs. “You know I’m not going to break if you touch me.”
I run my fingers down her sides. She’s not lying. After what happened with her and that arsehole Ihavebeen gentle. But that can end tonight.
If she wants it to.
“You want me to play rough with you?” I say against her ear. “Because if you slip out of my hold, and run through those trees, IpromiseI won’t chase you.”
“That’s a lie.”
“Clever girl,” I taunt, nipping the side of her ear. “But are you brave enough to test me?”
