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“Did I mention earlier that after my father secured our third estate in Harrivee, he decided to embellish each building with silver-tipped spires? One pure-silver spire is posted on every corner of every building. That silver was, of course, mined in one ofourmines. We have several, you know.”
“Of course, you do.” I finished my wine and signaled the serving staff for another. There wasn’t enough alcohol in the realm for me to keep up my partially interested charade.
“But enough of my family’s substantial wealth. Tell me more about you, Lady Seary. You must come from an esteemed bloodline yourself.” His gaze dipped to my cleavage for the millionth time. “One built such as you must herald from timeless beauties.”
Somehow, I managed to keep from burning his eyeballs to dust. “Are you always this charming with females you’ve just met, Lord Waterline?”
He grinned as he cupped his face in his palm. “You think I’m charming? That’s delightful to hear.”
I rolled my eyes, unable to stop it. Lord Waterline was as conceited as Vorl. On top of that, he was so pompous about his family’s wealth and estate ownership that I was surprised he didn’t carry a mirror around everywhere just so he could continually look at himself while reaffirming his oversized ego.
“Your dress certainly has a lot of buttons.” The noble’s finger trailed along my shoulder to the first button at the nape of my neck. He flicked it, as though hoping to undo it. He leaned closer, his hot breath wafting against my skin. “If you need help unbuttoning this later, I would be more than happy to oblige.”
I flinched away just as a huge push of heightened magic wafted through the air. I knew without looking who it came from.
On the opposite end of the table, the crown prince wore a ferocious snarl, and it was directed entirely at Lord Waterline. Prince Norivun had been looking as though he was seconds away from murder all night.
Not everyone was wishing the night was over, however. A soft laugh came from Meegana as she and Nuwin conversed. At least one of us was having a good time.
“Tell me, Lord Waterline,” I said and angled in my seat so his hand was forced to drop. “Have you read any good books lately? I just finished the most amazing story, courtesy of the castle library, calledOf Fae and Might. It was a compelling story about a princess from thousands of winters ago who rebelled against a force from an alien realm who’d come to conquer ours. It had romance, adventure, and the most epic battle scenes. A true delight. Have you read it?”
The young lord’s gaze fixed on my cleavage once more. When my nostrils flared, and a pulse of magic rumbled in my belly, he looked up.
“I’m sorry, what?”
“I asked if you’d readOf Fae and Might?”
“Read? Oh no, I don’t read. Reading is too boring for me. Too tedious, don’t you agree?”
I picked up my fresh glass of wine that a servant had delivered. “Considering I asked you if you’d read a book I just finished, no, I don’t agree.” I took another sip and wondered how much longer this evening was going to be. If the day came when a forced marriage to Lord Waterline was upon me, I just might adopt a few tips from the heroine inOf Fae and Mightand shave his balls off.
Lord Waterline again trailed a finger up my arm, and I was two seconds away from enacting Lady Furyful’s wrath when a squeak of a chair came from the end of the table.
Prince Norivun stood, his wings extending. “I think that’s enough of this dinner, don’t all of you agree? Perhaps we should all rise and mingle for a bit.”
Nuwin snorted, glancing between me and the crown prince as Lady Endalaver plastered herself to Norivun’s side.
“I think that’s a wonderful idea,” she purred. “Shall we go out on the balcony?”
My stomach tightened when she tilted her lips up. Of course, tonight he’d been paired withher, but despite feeling Georgyanna’s oily manipulation affinity in the air, I had yet to see the Winter Court heir so much as give her anything other than a fleeting smile or disinterested nod.
“Actually, I was thinking we could all mingle in here. It’s more fun to speak in groups, don’t you think, Lady Endalaver? In fact, I was thinking we should start doing that at these dinners more often.” Prince Norivun didn’t wait for her reply and instead stalked toward where Lord Waterline and I sat.
“Lady Seary, may I refresh your wine?” the prince asked, his tone biting as he glared at Lord Waterline.
“Oh, I can do that.” Lord Waterline pushed his chair back, but the crown prince shoved his foot behind the chair’s leg, halting his movement.
“Allow me, really. It’s no bother.” The crown prince pulled back my chair and extended his hand even though my wine glass had just been refilled.
Lady Endalaver fumed from her end of the table.
Crackling energy surrounded the prince. He watched me. Waiting. Storm clouds raged in his sapphire irises.
I eyed his hand. Enough time had passed since the council meeting that my anger wasn’t as acute, but it didn’t stop how he viewed me. I was still his servant to command. His object to own. Despite nearly begging him to ask his father to release me from the Trial, he hadn’t.
Still...
I glanced at my date. Lord Waterline gave me a sultry smile.
