“General.” Bart bows at the waist. “May I escort you to your spot at the table? Now that you’re here, the evening can finally start.”
He offers me his hand and I take it without saying anything. Bart loops my hand over his bicep and guides me to the end of the dining table that’s been set with so much food and drink I’m surprised it’s not caving in from all the weight.
Bart lets go of my hand to offer me the chair. Once I sit, the rest of the nobles follow. Noire settles on my right, and my Ezkai stand guard right behind me. Across the table, I meet Nobleman Juti’s eyes, which have been on me since I entered, and smile.
“Nobleman Juti,” I say, voice light. “Why don’t you join me on this side of the table for tonight?”
The room stills for a heartbeat. Nobleman Juti blinks, as if he doesn’t expect the invitation. But he recovers quickly.
With a dip of his chin, he says, “It would be my utmost honor and pleasure, General.”
My gaze flicks from him to the empty seat on my left. That’s the only response he gets from me.
When I reach for a crystal glass that’s been filled with plum blossom wine, I meet Noire’s eyes. The corners of his lips curl up and he dips his chin slightly. An encouragement I desperately need.
Nobleman Juti is excited. I can tell from his gaze and the satisfied smile he’s trying to stifle as he wades his way through other nobles to take the seat next to me.
I’m bestowing the biggest privilege to Nobleman Juti tonight. I can only hope it’ll work in my favor.
It has to work.
Jax’s life depends on me managing to sway this spoiled fae to my side.
Would Daegel have turned Jax in if he wasn’t helping me win the trials? If Daegel wasn’t consumed with monstrous jealousy?
I keep running our conversations in my head, the look of rage that flashed in Daegel’s eyes whenever he mentioned Jax and me. Maybe if Jax would have stayed away, he wouldn’t be in prison right now.
The guilt that weights on my chest is heavy, like a ton of bricks.
Or maybe it was the plan all along, Lorca suggests, startling me.
My hand holding the wineglass trembles, but I catch myself before any wine spills.
Lorca is right.
It might have been Daegel’s plan all along, to throw Jax to the sharks when the moment was right. Someone had to be held accountable for the assassination of the Ezkai General, after all.
I take a generous sip of the delicious plum blossom wine and refocus on the dinner. Bart really spared no expenses tonight. All the nobles sit around the table, their plates full with an assortment of delicious food. Caetras hover around us with largecopper jugs full of the wine, refilling the crystal glasses before they even empty.
Wine and conversations flow freely, cheerful laughs and shouts filling the studio space to the brim. Soon, my cheeks are heated, not from emotions but rather the warmth the environment and wine offer.
“I must say, you look stunning tonight, General,” Nobleman Juti tells me.
“Ah, you flatter me, Nobleman,” I say lightly.
“Just speaking the truth,” he says with a charming smile.
I bring the glass to my lips without an answer. My reactions must be controlled, any and all approval for him scarce. He must feel as if he has earned it.
I can’t help myself. Slowly, I open my senses and reach for the handsome fae.
Just like all fae, he feels chaotic and lively. All bright colors and intense sounds. He’s aroused, by the wine, the decadence, being near me, and by the power I hold.
I’m relieved to find no malice, no anger, no repressed rage towards me. Just as Hel said, Nobleman Juti cares for nothing else but the pleasures and luxuries his noble lineage can offer him.
Quickly, I snap my senses shut and reinforce my shields. There are so many people here tonight, so many strong emotions. I don’t want any leaking through and distracting me from the mission.
From the way the nobleman’s eyes sparkle and how flushed his cheeks are, I know he’s desperate for attention from me. Still, he’s careful.
