Page 71 of Fate of the Sun King

The man whose father killed my parents is my fated mate, destined by Zerra. Who has apparently been made for me. That’s no surprise, though. I think I knew that from the moment I threw my champagne at him.

I have only two choices before me now.

“Lor?”

I turn to the sound of my name, finding Elswyth watching me, a knowing smile on her face.

Gods. I was staring at him again.

“Yes?” I ask.

“I was wondering if you wanted more wine?”

I look down at my empty glass. Yes. I’ll take the whole bottle.

“Sure.” I get up to join her, refilling our glasses before we toast. We chat for a few more minutes before she excuses herself to tend to her queenly duties.

After she leaves, I consider going for another round at the food table just as my gaze tapers to a knife-sharp point.

Nadir is no longer with Mael. He’s now talking to a gorgeous High Fae female with luscious curling brown hair wearing an outfit similar to mine. They’re both leaning against the wall, standing far too close for my liking. Is he fucking flirting again?

I consider creating a distraction to break them apart. Maybe I’ll light the tablecloth on fire or shove someone into the chocolate fountain. Cedar and Elswyth have been lovely, though, and don’t deserve to have their party ruined because the Aurora Prince can’t keep his dick in his pants.

Inexplicably, Nadir is also wearing a soft blue scarf over his shoulders, and I have no idea where that came from. The woman reaches out to touch his arm, her fingers wrapping around his firm biceps as she laughs, and that’s when my vision turns crimson.

My fingers dig into my palms as I physically restrain myself from walking over and tearing off her arm.

He’s not mine.

Fuck that. He is mine.

A few weeks ago, I said I didn’t want to belong to anyone. I hated him and his father and everything they represented. But I know that isn’t true anymore. The father, yes, but my feelings for the son are so much more layered than that.

But all I’ve done is push him away. Have I broken everything that might have come between us? Am I too late?

I wonder what that growling sound is and then realize it’s me. I spin around to avoid facing them and take a deep breath that does nothing to settle the thrumming pulse of my current self-loathing.

An elf passes by, holding a basket over her arm filled with soft blue scarves like the one Nadir is wearing. She waves one about as an offering. A High Fae female with red hair and a long green dress snatches it from her and then drapes it over her shoulders with a giggle before she scurries off.

“What are those?” I ask the elf. She has pale green skin and soft pink hair to go with her large, pointed ears.

She smiles and pulls another one from her basket. “It’s a Winter’s Kiss scarf.” There’s a coy look on her face that suggests it’s more than just a fashion accessory. I rub the fabric between my fingers. It’s made of incredibly fine wool and might be the softest thing I’ve ever felt.

“What does it mean?”

She leans in closer with a sparkle in her eyes. “Eligible women take one and place it over the shoulders of someone they’d like a kiss from.”

She grins and then winks.

Well, that sounds a little archaic and more than a little sexist, but given how many blue scarves I now notice draped over various shoulders, it’s obviously a popular tradition.

When I catch sight of Nadir from the corner of my eye, wearing a fucking Winter’s Kiss scarf, my rage twists into a pellet hard enough to crack a rib. Who gave that to him? I can only presume it’s the woman who is still touching him.

Fine, two of us can play this game, and I have never ever backed down from a challenge.

“Can I have this?” I ask, and she nods.

“Of course. Enjoy.” Then she gives me an airy wave and saunters off. I drape the scarf over my shoulders and search for a target. Someone devastatingly hot and sexy and really fucking tall. With good hair and a nice firm ass.