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“Why shouldn’t I help them?” Nigel spun us closer to the center of the floor, away from the leering spirits.
“Edric’s illogical and he’s going to destroy the Fae just because he can’t find his dead wife.” I caught a glimpse of a red dress in the crowd and checked to make sure there wasn’t a pointy-eared guy with wavy brown hair hanging on her every word. There wasn’t. I sighed with relief, but then my heartbeat sped up again as I resumed worrying about where he could be and what could be keeping him.
Nigel intercepted my gaze and smiled at me. “You have to admit, it’s a bit romantic.”
“It’s not romantic. It’s insane.” I scowled and turned my head so I could glance past his shoulder.
Nigel shrugged. “If you went missing, wouldn’t you want your true love to search for you to the ends of the earth and beyond?”
I started to reply, but he cut me off.
“Oh, that’s right.” He cocked his head. “Your Fae prince did try to come to your rescue. Though, I suppose that isn’t turning out quite as well as planned, is it?”
“Liam isn’t mine. And he may be trying to help me, but he isn’t killing innocent people.” I shifted my body, trying to increase the space between us.
Nigel kept his embrace firm, allowing only a tiny sliver of air between our bodies. “Are you quite sure about that?”
“Who did he kill?” I asked.
“I was referring to the true love bit, but if you’d prefer to discuss the body count, I’d say it’s not so much ‘who’ as ‘what’ he’s killed in his pathetic attempts to save you.”
“So what if he killed a few of these spirits. They’re already dead, anyway.”
Nigel shook his head. “He didn’t tell you about the hell beasts?”
I snorted. “You can’t be serious.”
“You don’t know the first thing about hell beasts.” He looked down his nose at me. I didn’t think people actually did that.
“You’re right. I don’t. I don’t know about any of this, and I was perfectly happy that way.” Well, maybe notperfectlyhappy, but at least not in mortal danger.
“Then perhaps you need to be more selective about the blokes you snog.” He grinned.
I narrowed my eyes and scowled at him. “Oh, and I suppose you think you would be a better choice?”
“Of course I would. If that obnoxious Fae hadn’t gotten in the way, we could have had our nice, civilized date, and you’d never be in this mess.”
“No. Instead I’d be dating a demon. Remind me again why that’s better? Are there any men left in England who don’t have supernatural powers? Or is it just my dumb luck to have run into all of you within days of setting foot in this cold and drizzly country?”
Nigel laughed. “Just say the word, and I’ll take us somewhere more comfortable.”
“I’m not leaving without Liam.” I turned my head and scanned the crowd.
“I thought you said he wasn’t yours. If that’s true, then he’s not your problem, love. You should be worried about saving your own skin. Aren’t you at all concerned that he left you here to rot?”
There was a possibility that Liam had managed to escape and left me behind. But he’d said he’d help me escape, and now I knew he couldn’t lie to me. Still, Nigel’s words inserted a sliver of doubt, and I didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of knowing it. “He won’t leave without me.”
Nigel started to reply, but cheers erupted at the far end of the room. The music stopped and everyone turned their attention to the source of the commotion. My stomach flipped and fear coursed through me, making my skin prickle. I strained to catch a glimpse past the other guests, hoping I wouldn’t see Liam captured.
Nigel leaned toward me, his lips hovering just above my ear, and whispered, “You better hope you’re right and your Fae prince shows up before Edric finds out he’s done a runner.”
The crowd parted and Edric emerged, boisterous and regal in his finest armor. The Hunters cheered as he passed, calling out to him and shouting his name. He acknowledged them with a wave but continued walking, directly toward me. I gulped. Nigel was right. If Edric knew that Liam had escaped, he’d take it out on me. I needed to stall him and give Liam more time.
Edric stopped in front of me, and I tensed, but tried to keep my face relaxed. Nigel stepped aside to make room, but continued to watch my every move. I ignored him as Edric reached for my hand, lifting it to his lips. Only a brush of air caressed the back of my hand. No skin contact. He lifted his head to meet my eyes, but didn’t let go of my fingers.
“I don’t believe we were properly introduced earlier,” he said. “What is your name, girl?”
My throat felt dry and my skin prickled at his touch. It felt like a damp towel had been wrapped around my hand. There was no pressure or warmth in the touch, and I fought the urge to shiver.
