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“Sebastian.” He turns, looking at something or someone behind me and nodding slightly. Craning my neck, I find someone watching us, leaning against the wall, but the man quickly turns his gaze away the moment it locks with mine.
Sebastian grips my hand while his arm wraps around the small of my waist, pulling me closer. His hand is warm against my spine, despite the multitude of layers of fabric between my skin and his. He lets out a long exhale and I can feel the air against my skin, drawing my attention back to him. I’m acutely aware of just how close his body is to mine and the fact that he stands a solid foot taller than me. I should be nervous, but I’m not. His presence is almost familiar, or perhaps I want to be because if he enters and wins, I can let myself think about what comes after.
“Was that your friend?”
“Aye—yes, princess.” He clears his throat as we begin to move in a slow, gentle motion, his palm at my back guiding me. Sebastian watches our feet as we move, like it’s an unusual act for him, even though he moves with grace.
“You don’t have to correct your natural tongue for me. Believe it or not, I feel like the formalities are obnoxious most of the time.” I can feel the tension leave him as his grip on my hand and the muscles of his stomach ease.
“That’s good,” he breathes, glancing up at my face for a moment before continuing to watch our feet glide over the marble floors.
“You don’t dance often, do you?”
“What gave me away?”
A smile pulls at the corners of my lips, and this time I allow it. “Everything.”
He laughs, and it’s all I can do but listen to it. The sound is captivating and surprisingly comforting.
“Truth be told, I avoid it like the plague,” he says, spinning me out and beneath his arm until my back is pressed to his front. His breath caresses the shell of my ear, making my heart thud against my ribs. “Is it something you enjoy?”
“Sometimes. It depends on the circumstances.”
“And what might those be?” Sebastian spins me out until we’re face to face again.
“I’m not a fan of all the eyes watching, but alone... I’d enjoy it.”
His lips press into a line as he nods. “I see... Then I’d learn to enjoy it for you.”
I feel the blood heat in my veins as I stare at the necklace he wears. An orange stone of some sort. I’ve never seen one like it, but it’s a welcomed distraction. On either side of it are smaller milky white ones.
“Are you going to tell me the real reason you wanted to talk to me?” I spit the question out before I can lose the courage to ask.
“Hmm.” The noise comes more from his throat than anything, but coupled with the dimples staring down at me, it’s the sexiest sound I’ve ever heard. “Pretty and clever.”
“So, there was a reason beyond wanting to know if I could stand you.” His lips turn into a wolfish grin as we stop moving.
“There was, but I’m curious about the verdict you came to.” Sebastian leans closer, lifting my chin with a gloved finger. “So, what will it be, princess? Do you think you could learn to love me?”
Could I? He seems interesting enough. He’s handsome and has a sense of humor. Does it matter, though? Someone like him seems like a much better option than being eaten by a tree, and since he hasn’t pledged yet, whatever I say could steer him away from entering at all.
I’ll need to be careful... I need to give him the answer he wants to hear. His stormy green eyes flicker between mine as if he can read my thoughts like a book.
“Yes. I could.”
He snorts, squinting at me for a moment as if he doesn’t believe it, but is willing to bite. “Then let me make you a deal.”
“For what?”
We start moving again and Sebastian glances around the room like he’s making sure there are no witnesses to whatever he’s going to disclose.
He bends down, putting his mouth close to my ear. “Help me win, and I’ll ensure you have a good life. You’ll never want or need for anything. You’ll be safe.”
My eyes widen as I lean back to stare at his face. “How could I possibly help you?”
He lifts a single eyebrow, giving me a knowing look. “All the king’s daughters have had extraordinary abilities. I might not be keen on what yours is, but the few of your sisters who lived outside these walls have all been looked at like goddesses for their power. Even now, I can feel yours. I’m not sure what you can do, but I’m sure with power like that, you can do something.”
My father would slaughter me on the spot for interfering with his gauntlet. Sebastian isn’t wrong. I could help him win with my gift, but at what cost?
