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Hawthorn doubted that. Making someone defenceless was rarely harmless, and the mortals needed those lies. They weren’t able to side-step the truth like the fae.
Without any further deliberation, he pushed over the punch bowl. It shattered against the marble.
“Oh dear. It fell over.”
The merrows gasped.
Serena hovered by Hawthorn’s elbow, brow furrowed. “Have someone round up your mortal guests and servants and see that they’re safe,” he instructed.
Serena nodded, shooting off without another word.
Hawthorn scanned across the crowds for Juliana. He spotted her by the side of the room, talking to an attractive young merman.
“Apologies,” he said, tugging at her elbow, “but I must have a word with my guard.”
Juliana pouted, an unusual expression. “I was enjoying myself.”
“I am sure you will forgive me.” He steadied her, holding onto her shoulders, trying to glean whether or not there was something different in her eyes. Mortals’ pupils tended to dilate when they were glamoured, but drugged was another matter.
“Did you drink the punch?”
“Yes. It was delicious. Very sweet. Perfect texture.”
Hawthorn’s stomach dropped. “How long ago?”
“I’m not sure…”
“Tell me something I don’t know.”
“Your mouth is very troublesome.”
“Oh, is it now?” he said, arching an eyebrow. “How so? I thought I was well aware of how troublesome my mouth could be…”
Juliana groaned. “But are you aware of how attractive I find it, despite of all the nonsense that comes out of it? You have this really squishable, stupidly kissable-looking mouth. It’s very annoying.”
Hawthorn blinked.
She haddefinitelydrunk the punch.
And was that really what she thought?
“We need to get you to bed.”
Juliana stamped her foot. “I’m not a child.”
“No, but you have been drugged. A couple of merrows tampered with the punch. You can’t lie.”
“Yes I can!” she insisted.
“Tell me that the sun is green.”
“The sun is…” She stopped, mouth moving, words not forming. Her eyes widened. “This isso weird.It’s like there’s a cork in my mouth!Four plus four equals… My father is… My favourite colour is…whoa.”
“Yes, it’s very intriguing for you I’m sure, but let’s get you out of here before you say something you’ll regret.”
She nodded, suddenly understanding. “All right.”
He steered her away from the crowd. No one stopped them. Why would they? He was the crown prince and she was his guard. There was nowhere that was supposed to be forbidden to them.
