The Golden Prince (Royal Conquest Saga #5) - Nikki Jefford Page 0,1

her.

“At least the mortals aren’t entirely useless,” she’d made sure to say in front of Aunt Hensley, Uncle Liri’s human mate.

I could already see Aunt Sarfina’s eyes hooking me from beside a small group of males dressed like squids. My aunt wore a crown made of real seashells and a clingy pink gown that faded into purple ripples below her knees. The outline of her pelvis and thighs could be seen through the faded section, and a keyhole opening showed off toned skin between her breasts. My aunt looked smashing as usual.

The young and beautiful Cadmi Quickhorn stood beside Aunt Sarfina in a white bustier covered in pearls with more wrapped around her delicate neck. The pearls looked especially good on her dark skin. She wore a flouncy plum skirt with wavy silver embroidery. Cadmi didn’t stand so much as pose. One hand rested on her lower hip, the other on her thigh.

Aunt Sarfina grabbed the female’s arm and walked her to me. Cadmi pushed out her chest and flashed me a sultry smile, raking her eyes over me as they closed in.

Aunt Sarfina nodded at me with a pleased smile. “Doesn’t Lark look like a dream?”

“Like a wet dream,” Cadmi replied.

The females burst into giggles. I smirked and stood straighter, as though I’d just heard something clever.

“Oh, you are a wicked one, aren’t you?” Aunt Sarfina asked in delight. “But it’s true, my nephew is the best catch in the kingdom.”

“I believe you hold that title, Auntie,” I replied smoothly.

Aunt Sarfina beamed.

“Aw,” Cadmi cooed. Her syrupy sweetness did not match the narrowing of her eyes when she speared Aunt Sarfina with a sideways glance. Despite being older, my aunt was still a blonde beauty who turned heads at every party. It didn’t matter that we were family. Cadmi was the jealous sort who saw threats in all females. “Aren’t you going to ask me to dance, Lark?” Pouty bronzed lips puckered at me.

I cocked one brow. “Isn’t that what you’re doing now?” I asked sardonically.

“Is that a yes?” Cadmi demanded.

I gave her the barest nod, but from her squeal, you’d think I’d chased her down for a dance. Cadmi grabbed me by the arm.

“Mind the shimmer,” I warned her in a sharp voice.

Cadmi giggled. I swear these nobles got off on sadism.

I couldn’t stand the part I played. I didn’t like myself here, which begged the question: was revenge worth the price? And what was I really getting out of this? Why was I really here?

I’d rather cut out my tongue than admit the truth. Instead, I allowed Cadmi to drag me to the dance floor like I was a prize fish she’d caught. I smirked while she fought off other females who tried to grind up behind me as she ran slender fingers down my chest.

“I want the next dance,” a female in an electric-blue netted skirt announced beside us.

“The next dance is mine,” snapped a female in a green halter top and short sequined skirt.

Cadmi hissed at them. “Get away from us. We’re trying to dance. Or maybe Prince Lark will have to take me someplace private where we won’t be bothered.”

The females huffed but backed off.

“Insidious piranhas,” Cadmi said scornfully. She wrapped her slender arms around my neck, tugging heavy like the gold chains I wore. A smile played over Cadmi’s lips. “It’s no wonder they try. Your aunt is right, Lark. You are the best catch in the kingdom. You belong with someone equally beautiful.”

Maintaining a bored smirk was beginning to wear on me. No, Cadmi was wearing on me. I had half a mind to storm out of this shark-infested function and portal back home to Pinemist. I’d need to change first; otherwise my family would laugh themselves stupid at the sight of me in a Speedo and glitter.

I missed hanging out with my real friends: Fraya and Zelie.

A pit opened in my stomach. The three of us hadn’t actually spent time together in a while. Everything was changing. Fraya was always off competing, taking the archery circuit by storm. And Zelie . . . Shit. I’d blown it with her a couple years ago; ruined one of my closest friendships. I hadn’t meant to. It’s just, she’d kissed me, and I hadn’t wanted to kiss her back. I wish I had. It would have been the perfect little love story for friends who had grown up together.

Love was complicated, especially as an Elmray. My family had serious issues when it came to relationships.

Maybe