To cover up my nervousness, I swirled my skirt. “Do you approve of the dress Betsee and I chose?” I turned slightly, both ways, letting the candlelight refract off the skirt’s gems while the satiny bow sleeves rubbed along my skin. “We thought this color an interesting choice.”
“Absolutely. It looks magnificent on you,” my mother gushed.
“I have to say I agree,” a male replied, coming up behind my father.
Kole’s aura shifted, his attention focusing on the male joining us. The newcomer was young and looked similar to Kole. He had black hair and tanned skin, but instead of blue eyes, he had brown.
From his clothes, it was obvious the young male was wealthy, and given his complexion, I had a feeling he enjoyed the outdoors and spent frequent time in the sun.
He smirked as he neared, and the playful glint in his eyes reminded me of Felix, the Faewood fairy I’d met during my hunt for the Stone.
“Ah, Nathaniel, so lovely of you to join us.” My mother ushered him forward. “Prim, do you remember Lordling Ryderdim? You and he used to play when you were younger, although it was so long ago it would be a miracle if you could recall it.”
I lifted my shoulders. “I’m sorry, but I don’t.”
Nathaniel shrugged, then grasped my hand and brought the back of it to his lips. I jolted at the feel of him kissing me, and at my back, Kole’s aura grew hot.
“I don’t either,” Nathaniel replied, “which is something since I doubt I would ever forget someone as lovely as you.” He assessed me head to toe, his approval obvious.
My father cleared his throat, but my mother laughed. “Ah, Nathaniel, you’re as flirtatious as your father.”
Nathaniel released my hand and took a sip from his drink. He smiled at me over the rim. “My likeness to my father is why my mother loves me so much.”
My parents both chuckled, and my tensed shoulders loosened. Any concern I had over Lady Ryderdim’s grandson also being wary of me melted away. A cheeky smile graced the young noble’s lips, and it seemed to be his expression of choice.
He took another sip of his champagne and angled his head. “I hear that at one point in our lives, you had me walking on top of the stone wall encircling the palace.”
My eyes bulged, and I brought a hand to my mouth. “Oh dear, did I?”
He laughed. “So my grandmother tells me, even though I can’t remember it. But all seems to be forgiven. She told me that I should reintroduce myself to you, which has to mean that she’s no longer holding a grudge.”
I breathed a sigh of relief. “Of course, I met your grandmother this evening. I’m relieved to hear she didn’t judge me too harshly.”
Nathaniel’s eyes twinkled. “Not at all. You made a good enough impression that she told me to find you.”
I laughed lightly. “Thank the stars, and I do promise that I shall never force you to walk upon the palace’s stone wall again. Well, at least, not anytime soon.”
His eyes twinkled at my humorous remark, and another rush of Kole’s aura hit my back. Kole was trying to hide it, and since my parents hadn’t glanced at the warrior, he must have been doing a good job, but a moment of guilt stole over me that I was flirting with a young lordling, even if such things were expected.
“I’m glad to hear it,” Nathaniel replied, also seemingly oblivious to the warrior. “I’m not sure if my pride could take it.” A subtle hint of his magic wafted toward me, brushing curiously against my Shield.
My magic latched onto him, assessing his flavor and inherent strength. He wasn’t a weakling, that much was apparent, and I couldn’t be certain, but I got a hint of oscillating psychic magic that usually indicated someone was a seer.
I sucked my magic back inside me, not wanting him to detect my slight assessment. Instead, I beamed at him, determined to win over as many fae tonight as I could, even if it required me to act coquettishly. “I’m relieved to hear that my sins have been forgiven, at least with your House.” Subtly, I shot Kole a wayward smile, hoping he’d understand.
But the warrior’s attention was locked onto Nathaniel, and his expression was impossible to read.
“Indeed.” Lordling Ryderdim stepped closer to me, and my parents backed up, not leaving, but giving the young lordling more room. Approving expressions readily formed on their faces. I had a feeling that Nathaniel Ryderdim was consideredsuitableon their list of potential betrotheds in my future.
In a slightly husky voice, Nathaniel added, “Perhaps you shall grace me with a dance later this evening? I would loveto hear more about where you’ve been during the past thirty summers. And to think, we could have been classmates if you’d stayed in the capital.”
Kole’s aura soared, and I took a casual step back but kept my demeanor friendly. “Did you attend university here?”
“I did, and I have to say”—he scratched his chin—“you look very similar to someone I saw frequently at the Whiteolf Academic Library during the past few months. I would often admire her from afar. She was just as beautiful as you.”
A flush spread across my neck, and I couldn’t tell if he was being cheeky or if he truly didn’t realize that was me. “How interesting. Do you frequent the library often?”
“All of the time. I do most of my studying there.” He canted his head. “Stars, you truly look just like her.”
