Faer loved to throw parties, and Herrick seemed to love to indulge us. But as dozens of Fae nobles streamed through the doors of the ballroom, I was keenly aware that Herrick watched from his throne on the dais.
I desperately wanted to see two particular males tonight, but I couldn’t find them anywhere in the crowd. I sipped my wine and made small talk and laughed and danced with everyone who asked me.
From my behavior, no one would ever have guessed that I longed for two dark-haired males so intensely that despite the press of bodies in the room, goosebumps rose on my arms—as if I were cold without them near me. As if they were warmth and peace and comfort itself, wrapped up in big, muscular bodies.
I’d told them not to come. Herrick was determined that I would not offend Raile by obviously courting other men when my own engagement ceremony was just a few months away, but I was still secretly disappointed every time I caught a glimpse of black hair or a broad-shouldered body, only to realize the features belonged to the wrong Fae.
“Alisa.” Raile appeared at my side, gripping a crystal glass in either long-fingered hand.
“Raile.” My tone was equally curt.
As I took the glass from him, I caught sight of Faer nearby; he was talking to someone else, and yet… I knew he could hear us. The brother I once adored had become our father’s spy. I took a long sip, but I would never dare get drunk in the summer court.
Raile watched me with those bright eyes that were the same ever-shifting colors as the sea outside. “I never offered that to you. How did you know it was yours?”
“Do you make a habit of waiting for things to be offered to you, Raile? Because you seem quite intent on taking me.” I took his glass and sipped from it too, then set them both on a nearby table. Raile rarely missed much; had he seen Faer watching us? “You should watch your tongue with me, by the way.”
“Is that so?” Raile watched me with a look of detached amusement fixed on his face, one that always reminded me oddly of myself. Sometimes when I looked at Raile, I understood why some people seemed to dream of smacking the smirk right off my lips.
I took Raile’s hand and drew him onto the dance floor. He stepped in close without hesitation, as if he’d known just what I’d do before I acted. His arm looped my waist easily, and my hand slid into his as I inhaled his crisp, fresh scent, like a breeze off the ocean. His body was tall and muscled, his shoulders broad but waist lean, and the fine material of his jacket was soft under my palm.
“I wish we’d met differently, Raile,” I said.
“Oh? Would you be nicer to me if I were one of those rough, clumsy knights you seem to favor?”
“They’re not clumsy,” I promised. “They could take your head off your shoulders. As could I.”
His lips quirked. “After all this time, I don’t think you know me or what I’m capable of as well as you think. But you and I will get to know each other better.”
“You’d really want an unwilling bride?”
“I really want you,” he corrected.
“Why?” I demanded. “Why are you so obsessed with me?”
“I’m not.”
“You’re here,” I said flatly. “And while Herrick has so much to gain from a political marriage that controls the sea—”
Raile scoffed. He glanced past me, and I knew those magnetic ocean-colored eyes were scanning to see who could overhear us. “Your father may be overestimating just how much power he’ll have when you’re my queen.”
The two of us swept seamlessly around the ballroom. Raile was quick on his feet, good at leading on the dance floor. I glanced at the other couples around us, who were laughing and smiling as they whirled around the rooms, the males all dashing, the females’ gowns colorful as peacock feathers as they swirled over the marble. Royalty rarely married for love, and I wondered how many beautiful couples secretly hated each other.
“What do you get out of this?” I demanded.
“I won’t tell just any female that,” he said, “but I’ll tell my fiancé.”
I rolled my eyes. “Fine. Keep your secrets.”
“Tell me your secrets,” he said, pulling me even closer.
Over his shoulder, I caught a glimpse of Faer; despite the horned Fae nibbling his ear, I was sure his proximity was no accident.