Page 111 of Captive of Secrets and Storms

A tall, lean body steps between us. “There you are, love. I’ve been looking for you.”

My vision swims for a second before Darius comes into focus.

His eyes twinkle, but that amusement swiftly fades as he takes in my expression. “Are you drunk?”

“N-no.” I hiccup.

Shit.

Am I drunk?

I sway.

Darius grabs my arm. “Mother, save me, Elara. It’s not even midday.”

“S-sorry.”

He groans.

A throat clears. Leto steps out from behind the Fae, eyebrows pulled together as he looks at me.

Darius’s gaze narrows. “Can I help you?”

“No, sir. That is… I’m Leto. I apologize. I gave Elara a second glass of kurosa. I didn’t know it would affect her so⁠—”

“It’s fine,” he clips. “Excuse us.”

Darius tugs my arm, and I stumble away from the railing, barely managing to lift a hand in farewell before we’re swallowed by the crowd and Leto disappears from view.

I trip over my tingling feet and huff. “You’re so mean.”

“What?” Darius pulls me down a hall that I think takes us to the stairs that will lead us to our rooms.

But I’m so dizzy that I can’t be sure.

The portraits lining the walls blur, the faces indistinguishable, but their blond hair shines like a beacon.

“I was about to seal the deal.”

He chokes. “Seal the deal?”

“You know, have sex,” I state matter-of-factly. “And you ruined it.”

“Mother save me, Elara.” He shakes his head, wide eyes scanning our surroundings. “Watch your words, or that poor bastard won’t live to see the morning.”

I know what he means without even needing to ask.

“Why is Rian determined to ruin my life?”

“Trust me, that’s the last thing my prince wants to do.”

And yet that’s exactly what he’s doing.

I tilt to the side. Darius rights me easily.

I press my lips together and stare at my sandaled feet as we climb the stairs to the third floor.

A cheer rises from behind us. Another winner has been declared. I hope it’s the earth wielder. The bird cage was pretty.