to find Evelyn some crackers, I stare at Evelyn and try not to frown. She’s been quiet the last couple of days. I think, despite her assurances to the contrary, that she’s worried about finals. She didn’t even comment when I casually mentioned the prince offered to buy me a dress.
I push the thought aside and down a swallow of the sweet, fizzy drink. Then I set the glass champagne flute on a metal side table and hold out my arms. I’m actually relieved to have someone make all the decisions for me. I wouldn’t have the first clue about picking a dress, or what colors flatter my skin tone; I’ve always worn whatever was available.
When all my measurements are taken, the pixie brings over a fold of fabric. I stare at the amethyst-purple silk. “I’m not sure—”
My words trail away the moment he brings the material up to my face and I catch my reflection in the mirror. A gasp tumbles from my lips. The color brings out the gold in my hazel eyes and makes my skin look radiant. Mack and Evelyn murmur their approval, and then Mack holds out her two drinks and clinks them together.
“To kicking this fancy ball’s ass,” Mack says.
“I’ll drink to that,” I mutter, finishing my glass.
Ruby waggles her eyebrows. “The prince won’t know what hit him.”
48
I hang my dress on the closet door and stare at it, afraid if I blink, it will disappear. Or perhaps the magic used to meld all the pieces into a seamless gown will fade away and the dress will fall apart.
Mack sighs. “I’m not sure I’ve ever seen anything so beautiful.” She sinks her teeth into her lower lip. “Summer, you’ll be careful, won’t you?”
“Careful?” I laugh, not sure where’s she going with this.
“I mean, I’m glad the prince bought you a nice gown. You deserve it, truly. But . . .” She hesitates, worrying her hands. “I’ve seen the way you look at each other. Just remember, whatever happens, you cannot fall in love with him.”
“Love has nothing to do with it.” My voice comes out way more defensive than I planned.
I tug my lip between my teeth. That’s not what this is, right? But as soon as I tell myself that, I know it’s a lie.
Oh, God. I think I am falling for him.
How is that possible?
I’ve never believed in love at first sight. I’ve never even thought much about love at all, other than the knowledge it wasn’t in my cards. At least, not for a long time. And I would have never guessed someone like the prince could be the one.
Love is supposed to be this beautiful thing. It’s supposed to happen after you get to know a person. It’s supposed to feel inevitable, something you see coming.
But there it is.
Unexplainable.
Undesirable.
Undeniable.
I am falling in love with him . . . and I hardly know him.
Fuck. I’m falling in love with a Fae prince, and I think he’s falling for me too, and none of it makes any sense.
The horrifying realization must show on my face because Mack says, “Oh, no.” Her hand flutters over her mouth, the breath she releases rushing through her fingers. “I have to go to the ceremony. Just . . . we’ll talk about it later.”
“Wait?” I tilt my head. “What ceremony?”
That’s when I notice she’s wearing makeup—a lot of makeup. And her dark chocolate hair is shiny and curled into loose spirals that show off her new silver and indigo highlights.
“Didn’t the prince tell you?” she calls over her shoulder as she plucks a black sheath dress from her closet. “There’s a banquet tonight for the Evermore and their families. Shadows are supposed to attend. It starts in like twenty . . .” Her gaze flicks to her watch. “Oh, shit, like five minutes.”
Five minutes? My heart stutters into a frenzy. Crap. The prince failed to mention a banquet tonight, but he must have been busy preparing for his father’s visit. I glance in the mirror and sigh. I need a shower and a come-to-Jesus with Mack’s makeup palette before I can do anything.
Especially since the prince’s father is here. The prince’s father, King of the Unseelie.
Definitely not ready for that. Definitely not ready for any of this.
Anxiety settles squarely between my shoulder blades. Grabbing Mack’s pink shower caddy, I rush for the communal showers with the promise to meet them at the banquet.
Thirty minutes later, my hair is wrangled into a wet bun on top of