Oh.
“You don’t like Kai?”
Drumming fingers against his bicep, his lips form a thin line. “I never said that.”
“Your face is wearing your opinion.”
He arches a brow, and I swear the sterling pools of his eyes swirl. “You’ve never introduced me to him. How could I not like him?”
I open my mouth, close it, suffocating under the weight of his perusal.
I hate it when he does this; challenges me to step outside my comfort zone. Pecks at me like I’m something that needsfixing.
My solitary existence, my routines, my weekly escape to the bay ... they keep me in control,and I won’t dare risk tarnishing the friendship I have with Kai simply to satisfy Rhordyn’s dominant dispositions. Kai’s the only thing I have that’s truly my own.
Dropping my gaze, I stare at the small pile of mandarin skin that’s zesting the air.
“That’s what I thought,” Rhordyn rumbles, and I bunch my hands so hard I punch little crescents into my palms.
Bastard.
Right now, I prefer it when he leaves that seat empty. Becausethis...
This is not enjoyable.
A normal, relaxed conversation is obviously too much to expect. If I had known he was coming here to wield an attack on the borders of my personal limitations, I’d have walked out the moment he entered.
Instead, I let my fluttering heart get me caught in his snare.
“I’m done,” I say, standing. “Places to be, things to see. I’m a very important person, you know.”
“Sit down, Orlaith.”
The command in Rhordyn’s tone is a strike to the back of my knees. My bum lands on the chair, and my fists tighten further, face aflame.
He must know the effect he has on me. And based on the way his lips are hooked at the corner, I’m sure he uses it to his advantage.
Arms unknotting, he runs his thumb back and forth across his lower lip while I suffer a sharp examination. “I’m hosting a ball on the same weekend as the next Tribunal.”
The words are a blow to my chest. “A ... aball?”
“Yes. As well as a Conclave for the Masters and Mistresses—high and low. I’ve already sent sprites. There will be many new faces around over the course of a few days.”
There’s a certain lilt to his tone that has my spine stiffening. Has me listening to all the words he’snotsaying.
A challenge.
“I don’t get it. You’ve never held a ball before. Or a Conclave.”
My tone is steady, somehow hiding the fact that my heart is waging war against my ribs.
“Not since you’ve been here, no. But things are changing. I need to solidify bonds and ease curious minds.”
“Okay ... well, thanks for letting me know. I’ll stay out of everyone’s way,” I say, more question than statement.
Testing.
He’s not done with me yet, I can feel it. He walked in here with a chip on his shoulder, and he’s using it to slice up my shell.
