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His gaze slides to the table by the fountain and lands on Basil. The poor Faun looks miserable sitting next to Rhaegar. Mack said Basil stays with him out of loyalty, but after that night, he seems more afraid of Rhaegar than anything.
I don’t blame Basil. Rhaegar has changed, although I can’t exactly say how. And I catch him watching me at odd times when he thinks I don’t notice. The other night, on the way home from a late night studying session for finals, I felt someone following me.
The next morning, there were footprints below my window.
I push the chilling thought away and focus on reality, just in time to see Basil look up from his plate of fruit. When he spots Jace watching him, he grins softly.
Meanwhile, the Dawn Court girl, Layla, keeps trying to make conversation with Richard, who’s more interested in Evelyn. And Mack keeps shifting her gaze to the picnic table where the Elite Six sit, along with a certain dragon shifter.
This entire Island is one big cesspool of love. Ick.
“Richard promised to pick me up for the dance in a chariot flown by a pegasus,” Evelyn is saying. “Right, Richard? Oh my God, and you guys have to see my dress. I had it portaled in from the best dressmaker in Everwilde. Mack, have you gotten your gown yet?”
Mack and I share an annoyed look. Then she gives Evelyn the side eye. “No, I’ve been too busy studying for finals. You know, that massive test we have to pass to come back in the Fall?”
Evelyn makes a face at that, and a knot suddenly forms in my gut. The tests will be tough, but I’m prepared.
It’s the Wild Hunt at the end that scares me. We partner with our keeper for that. Just the thought of the prince warms my cheeks. As if he can feel me thinking of him, I suddenly recognize the heavy, prickling feeling that means he’s close.
At the same time, Mack gives a near imperceptible jerk of her head behind me. I turn just in time to see the Winter Prince stop by our table. Eclipsa and Asher stand on either side of him. I’m pretty sure the entire courtyard stops what they’re doing to stare.
Terrified silence falls at the table. I always forget how scared the others are of the Six.
“Can we sit?” Eclipsa asks in an amused tone, one side of her mouth quirked.
“Yes, of course,” Evelyn gushes, shoving her tray into Richard’s as she tries to make room. I hold back a grin as Asher tries to fit between Mack and Jace. I’m sitting on the end next to Richard. The prince locks eyes with me as he glides around to our side and stands behind Richard.
Richard’s face turns three shades of red, and he jerks to his feet. “I’m done anyway.” He sweeps one more longing look at Evelyn before picking up his full tray. “See you guys later?”
I watch him go before scowling at the prince.
His eyes glitter as he takes the place beside me. “Didn’t mean to frighten him.”
“Didn’t you?” Eclipsa drawls through a devilish grin.
He smirks. “Says the Fae assassin wearing seven blades. I mean, surely one will do, Eclipsa. Do you really need seven?”
“Eight,” she corrects. “I have one stashed in my boot.” Eclipsa turns and winks at Layla and the girl almost passes out.
The prince hasn’t addressed me, hasn’t even looked my way, but I feel my traitorous body rejoice at his nearness. Ever since Christmas, when he told me he felt like he was drowning around me, I’ve taken to ignoring him.
And by that, I mean I dream about him every night and can barely breathe when he’s near and turn bright pink when he touches me.
Like right now. Beneath the table, his thigh presses into mine, and I’ve never been so aware of anything in my life.
How am I supposed to concentrate on finals when my body reacts to his presence like a drug?
Thank the Shimmer, I talked Eclipsa into allowing me back to my dorm with Mack. We all agreed I’m probably safe, and that everything was a coincidence.
I still see him after lunch and combat class. Each time I leave the encounter feeling like I’m drowning. Like he’s an itch I can’t scratch. A smarmy, arrogant, beautiful pointy-eared dickwad rash I can’t get rid of.
It’s torture.
“Ready to start extra training this week?” Eclipsa asks before biting into an apple. I watch her eat for a moment, the small, quick movements almost predatory. As if the apple is a heart she’s just plucked from an enemy’s chest.
I refrain from saying something cheesy like I was born ready, and nod. But I’m excited. Our training sessions have become my favorite part of the day.
“Good, because the Wild Hunt is coming up in a few months. You’ll need all the help you can get to pass.” Her gaze shifts to the prince. “And you? Ready to get up early to train with Summer?”
