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Chapter 23
Dagen
Bree was breathtaking.He had already been aware of her beauty—it would have been impossible not to notice it, even when she’d been in those grungy fighting leathers with the dirt of the cell caked on her skin. And he’d seen her in those standard gowns that Taveon kept making her wear on her dailywalks.
But this...this was something else. She was almosttoopretty now. He would find it impossible to focus on much of anything else once they reached the ball, and this little trip was not for enjoyment purposes. Oh yes, he could spend the entire evening with this female on his arm, sweeping her across the dance floor, clinking goblets of wine, and showing her off to every envious male in theroom.
Because they would be envious. She would be impossible not to notice. He had known she would attract a certain amount of attention, being an outsider that nobody knew, but he now worried that she would stand out so much that she would be the only thing the entire Court spoke about allnight.
That is, until Taveon made his announcement about theKing.
He needed eyes and ears on Taveon by someone he did not consider a threat. Dagen knew the Prince would not be happy to see Bree arrive, but he also knew he would not turn her away. He couldn’t risk Dagen’s wrath at being denied any companion he desired. He needed the council on his side if he were going to take the throne. He needed the support of the entire Court. And, if he made a scene, they would cause more than a few problems forhim.
Dagen also knew that despite his stony exterior, the Prince had a soft spot for the shapeshifting girl. He could see it in his eyes when they made their daily walks. He would never admit it to anyone, least of all himself, but he would be just as dazzled by her beauty as every other fae at theball.
Bree slid her hand just a slight bit deeper into the crook of Dagen’s arm as they strode down the corridor together. He fought back a smile and kept his gaze focused on the path ahead. He was afraid that if he looked at her, she would see exactly how taken by her beauty hewas.
“So,” she said in a soft voice, “I have to admit I don’t quite understand what you’re hoping I’ll find out at a ball. And what you think I’d be able to discover that you wouldn’t. I’m the outsiderhere.”
“Ah.” He smiled. “Whispered conversations always happen at these events, particularly after the ale and the wine begin to flow freely. These conversations usually do not involve me, as I am who I am. But you are not. They are much more likely to be curious of you rather than afraid. You are my aide, not my lover or my friend. Therefore, you are in the perfect position to hear many things, hopefully about that attack last night. We still do not know the culprit behind all thosedeaths.”
He stumbled over his last few words. He shouldn’t have said the wordlover. It conjured far too many desires in him, ones he must cast aside. Bree did look beautiful, and she had a fierceness of spirit he couldn’t help but admire, but she was still Prince Taveon’s little prize, one he wanted to use as his own personalassassin.
She might be spying for Dagen now but only so she could be set free. And then she would return back to Otherworld, never to be seen again. He couldn’t entertain any thoughts of anything more with her, as much as he was drawn to her, and as much as he’d started their relationship as a way to get close. Getting any closer now was a dangerousthought.
Still, he couldn’t help but cast a glance her way, letting his admiring gaze linger on the flush of her cheeks, the long dip of her neck, and the luscious dark hair that trailed down herback.
By the forest, she truly was the most beautiful thing he’d everseen.
