people.
So I decided to cheat. I pretended to look elsewhere while he stared at me. I probed inward for that part of him that resided inside my Fae-spark, searching for his feelings.
Deep contemplation.
What was he thinking? Did he know my secret?
Strength.
So much damned strength of will it unsettled me.
I cleared my throat nervously and looked further.
A small dose of lust…
Hold on a Fae damned moment. What in the Fairy?
My attention shot to him faster than a bolt of lightning, hurriedly examining his shifter eyes. Who in the Fae fuck was he attracted to?
She would surely look a fright once I was done with her.
It appeared the shifter king was glancing at me from the corner of his eyes—obviously playing a part once more—while he spoke to a well-known elf fruit broker. He wouldn’t swindle me again. No fucking way would I let that happen. I peered behind me, suspiciously.
I cast my narrowed gaze on all the females, seeking any shifter women nearby. There was an ample number of ladies close to me, but…
There were no shifters.
Confused, I gradually turned back around.
King Athon’s lips twitched just so, his amused, solid black eyes finding mine once more while he continued his conversation effortlessly.
I blinked. Huh.
What in the five kingdoms…
I took a turn about the ballroom, ignoring all others who tried to capture my attention—and there were many—while I considered what might actually be occurring inside my Fae damned soul mate’s complicated brain. Then I took another turn. Once more wouldn’t hurt, I supposed. When I was two wine glasses down, and still with no clarity on my muddled thoughts, I decided it was probably time to stop, unless I wanted even more elves trying to touch me—again, there were many.
I ended my jaunt next to a table full of scrumptious delights that Mother had procured from Jarisbur, adding food to a plate to soak up the alcohol I had ingested too quickly. I quietly sighed when male suitors swarmed me, hardly listening to them talk about themselves, in their pursuit to impress me.
“Yes, I had heard that,” I murmured absently.
I had no idea what they’d just said.
The elf on my right stood straighter, proud in his finery.
I guess I’d answered appropriately.
My regard focused over their shoulders where King Athon stood five feet away—mayhap I hadn’t come here just for the food. He was currently busy in what looked like a friendly conversation with an elated shifter woman—her solid light brown eyes large with worship.
No, make that two of them now.
Where did that lady come from?
I politely smiled when I heard my name from the men around me, and covertly avoided a hand brush against my back to bring me closer to my abysmal companions. My gaze snapped back over their shoulders when the second woman moved in too close to King Athon, for propriety’s sake.
I stuffed a tart in my mouth, crunching on it angrily as she placed her hands on my dratted soul mate’s forearm, leaning in to whisper in his ear.
Handsy bitch, that one.
Oh… Oh… She wouldn’t be that desperate…
Fucking Fairy, she was.
She straight up smashed her chest against his arm.
Time to take care of bloody business.
I set my plate down, ready to excuse myself.
But I halted in place. I couldn’t do anything here.
I snarled under my breath. Fae dammit all.
My suitors paused at my expression.
I quickly rambled, “Mother didn’t purchase the tarts I like.”
As one, the braggarts nodded their heads like that made perfect sense and continued discussing their land holdings—as if I didn’t know who the richest in my own kingdom were.
I slowly exhaled and peeked at the King of Shifters.
He coolly slid to the side, escaping the shifter’s grasp—all the while keeping a pleasant mien, not faltering in their discussion.
Hmm. If he kept that up, I wouldn’t burn anyone tonight.
Wily shifter.
I relaxed my stance, and continued to analyze the shifter king’s interactions, positioning myself so it wasn’t too obvious I was spying on him. I still couldn’t comprehend his feelings. They did not make sense. Was I missing something?
Had I suddenly turned into a shifter, for Fae’s sake?
That tiny bit of lust still radiated inside my Fae-spark.
This was mind-boggling. What was he thinking about?
It sure as Fairy couldn’t be me, but…
The light danced on his solid black eyes.
He stole a look at my ass.
The reflection curved again later.
The King of Shifters ogled my chest.
When I moved my legs a certain way, he gazed at my thigh.
I crossed my arms in frustration.
What was going on inside his mind?
Then…