then she is off like a shot. Chuckling to myself, I find the bar on the other side of the room and sit down, waiting for the bartender to come out of the back. The bartender steps out of the door behind the bar, and I try not to flinch. It’s an Unseelie fae. Who knows what her age is, the Unseelie being as close to immortal as they are, but she looks about twenty. Her bright blue eyes find mine, and she pauses for a second before walking to me. Silver bracelets dig into her wrists, but other than that, you wouldn’t think she was a prisoner. Her dress is white and simple, matching the many other servants I’ve seen in the crowd. But none of them are Unseelie fae like she is.
“Do you wish for a beverage?” she asks me.
There is so much I want to say to her, so many questions on the tip of my tongue, but before I can say anything, Seth slides into the seat next to me.
“Syn here will have a dirty martini, and leave a bottle of whiskey on the side for me,” he instructs. The fae woman nods, stumbling back, and I pull my eyes to Seth.
“You remembered my favourite human drink,” I comment, but he doesn’t meet my eyes for a long time. Instead, his eyes run down my body ever so slowly, worse than before because it’s no longer a passing interest; he looks like a wolf hunting his prey when he finally meets my eyes.
“I’ve never seen you in a dress before,” he murmurs, leaning closer. “How exceptional and sensual you look.”
“Don’t get used to it. Won’t you be leaving tonight when this is all over?” I question as the fae places my drink in front of me and a bottle of expensive whiskey in front of Seth with a tumbler. He pours his own drink as the fae girl serves someone else.
“No,” he simply answers. “My brother and sister-in-law have sent me here, and I will not be leaving until the academy is over unless they call.”
My heart pounds in my chest as I try not to react to that news. “By the way, your fight with Evie was impressive and sexy. My brother showed me the footage. Now tell me how you got in that predicament in the first place.”
“Blood magic,” I tell him.
“Why the fuck would you make that deal, Syn?” he questions, stepping into my space and grabbing my arm. “You could have said no and come to me.”
I humourlessly laugh. “Things have changed in the years you left me. You know nothing about me, Seth, and don’t pretend for a moment our year together was a real glimpse into my life, as it was not.”
“Your favourite colour is purple, you sing as you cook, and the songs are enchanting if not banned here. Your hair always smells like coconut, and you cry when someone loses a parent in a film you’ve watched or a book you’ve read. Your favourite drink is coffee, and you can’t stand a day without a cup, and when you eat, you eat the things you dislike the most and leave the best thing to have last. I know you, Syn,” he whispers to me, and I glare at him as I tug my arm from his hand. “I know you, and I’m not leaving this time.”
“Sorry if I don’t believe you, Seth,” I snap, and I walk away before I say anything else I might regret. Someone breaking your trust is like a sour taste in your mouth you can’t get rid of, and the taste comes back every time you try to trust that person just one more time. I’m so lost in my thoughts I don’t look up until I realise the music is louder and I’ve somehow walked right to the edge of the dozens of dancers. I turn around, and Finn is right in front of me. Wordlessly he picks up my hand and places it on his shoulder, his other hand settling on the middle of my back, and then he moves us into the crowd.
“I’m not a good dancer,” I warn him, and he smiles at me.
“With this, you only need to let go and let me lead you,” he smoothly suggests. “Relax, Daesyn.”
And I do.
Finn effortlessly moves us in circles, our bodies moving to the deep notes of the music until I can only relax, and I almost forget that it’s