at the celebratory tournament meal, my blonde goddess glamour still in place.
It was odd to me that all these people who laughed and joked were potentially having their last dinner.
The tournament would mean death for some of the competitors.
My appetite was gone. It was all I could do to keep drinking the water that magically refilled in my glass. I pushed my food around my plate, hazarding glances every now and again at Killian, Ronan, and Flynn.
What’s the matter? Flynn asked.
I glanced up to find him staring at me. I didn’t want to put all of my worries on them, not when they were part of this. The only thing they should be focused on was competing.
I’m good. I smiled at him and then dropped my gaze again.
“If I may,” the man to my left said, clearing his throat, “I can’t help but notice Flynn has been eyeing you all night, and you seem taken with him as well. It is well known he’s not looking for a wife.”
What kind of impression was I making on the people around me? Making a concerted effort to dial back my interest, I stared at my plate.
“He leaves hearts broken.” I glanced at the man. His skin had a slight bluish tinge, and at his neck were slits. Gills. He must be a Folk from Tír fo Thuinn. He was no longer looking at me. Instead, his gaze was hard and sharp as he stared at Flynn.
His dislike seemed personal.
“Do you know him?” I asked, curious.
“He appeared to court my sister once.”
Absolutely not. Flynn’s voice was quick. He must have been imagining things.
How in the world did you hear him? We were across the room from each other, and people spoke with loud voices, raised to hear over the din.
We’re all magically eavesdropping. Ronan didn’t sound the least bit guilty. The competitor from Tír fo Thuinn has been giving you sly looks all night. You’ve just been distracted.
Had he? They were right that I was distracted. It was hard to keep my gaze off the three of them. Between my thoughts of tomorrow’s tournament, I’d returned over and over to our conversation earlier.
They all wanted me, and they were all willing to share.
I swear I never courted his sister. Flynn mistook my silence for being upset.
I wasn’t. Flynn was a natural flirt. If she thought that, it was your fault. You blink those long eyelashes and push that hair out of your face and girls swoon.
Do you? He lifted his cup to his mouth before cutting his gaze toward me. He did a long, slow blink and smiled before taking a sip.
I couldn’t even lie. Obviously.
Across the room, Ronan snorted and Killian coughed. Flynn stood and leaned down to whisper something to his brothers. They nodded and then glanced at me.
Go, Killian said to me, his voice in my head soft and warm. I’ll see you in the morning.
Confused, I stared at him and then Ronan and Flynn. Flynn gestured with his head toward the doors.
“Don’t fall for it,” the man next to me said. “Trust me.”
Ignoring him, I stood. “Too late.” I smiled and lifted my shoulders.
He sat back in his chair as I pushed mine away and left. The heavy oak doors shut behind me, and I was suddenly bathed in silence.
The passageway was empty, but I searched for Flynn. Lavender and dew filled my nose a second before a hand grabbed mine and I was yanked forward.
Screeching like a—well, banshee—I landed on a deep, fluffy mattress. The chill and tickle of magic fluttered over me as my glamour disappeared.
“Flynn!”
He fell next to me, catching himself on one elbow and resting his head on his hand.
“How did you like that?” His eyes twinkled, and he flipped his hair out of his face.
I rolled to my side, laughing. “Did you drag me through a portal just to pull me into bed?”
He waggled his eyebrows. “No regrets.” Leaning forward, he kissed me gently. I could taste his smile. His cheek puffed beneath my hand where I touched him, like he couldn’t keep it off his face.
“Do you know how long I’ve been waiting to have you to myself? In my bed?” He eased away from me.
Having no idea how else to respond, I shook my head. I didn’t know how long he’d wanted me. I just knew I’d had a crush on him and his brothers for years. Before that, before I was made for love and crushes, I only knew how much