House of Dragons (Royal Houses #1) - K.A. Linde Page 0,108

she had ever wanted was to return to Bryonica. But was this different? Was Audria’s offer a means to escape the life Helly had set up for her in the Society? Was this actually freedom or more chains?

“I’ll… I’ll think about it,” she said, and before Audria could say another word, she stumbled out of the clearing and dashed through the gardens.

40

The Trio

Clover

Clover pulled a drag on her smoke with gusto. She hated this stupid dress and that she had to fit into normal society to come to this sort of event. Truthfully, she would have preferred to be dressed in Fordham’s ridiculous powder-blue suit than this monstrosity. How was anyone supposed to exist in this much fabric?

“Is it really smart to be smoking that in public?” Darby asked, appearing outside of the crowded ballroom.

“Probably not.”

Darby smiled at her shyly and took a step forward. Hadrian practically fell out of the room after her. Darby’s face faltered for the briefest minute. Hmm… had she wanted to be alone?

“Clover!” Hadrian gasped. He stalked toward her and snatched the smoke out of her hand.

“Have a pull on it, pretty boy,” she teased. “Might get that foot out of your ass, where it’s permanently stuck.”

Darby giggled, covering her mouth.

Hadrian dropped the cigarette on the ground and stamped it out. “Are you insane?”

“Not in the least, sweetheart. This party is the definition of depravity. You think a little loch is the worst thing that anyone is doing here?”

She took a step into him and winked. He flushed a deep crimson. She ruffled his blue hair, the edgiest thing that had ever happened to this straitlaced boy.

“Want to find out what else is out there?”

He gulped visibly, his Adam’s apple bobbing. “We’re supposed to look for Basem.”

“We can have some fun while we search,” she teased, plucking his tie and snaking her fingers down it.

He tugged it away from her. “I have no time for your games, Clover.” He turned back to Darby, who looked like she wanted to be anywhere else. “Come on, Darbs. We’ll go search elsewhere.”

“Darby should stay with me,” Clover said without thinking. Darby’s head snapped up to look at her. “We can finish this side of the house.”

“Darby?” Hadrian asked.

“What? Don’t trust her with me? I promise… I have very careful hands,” she said with another pointed wink.

Hadrian huffed and then stormed off in a fury. Upsetting him was half of the joy in her existence.

“You shouldn’t tease him so,” Darby said softly. “All you do is get him riled up.”

Clover kept her eyes focused on Hadrian’s retreat. She shouldn’t feel pulled toward that prudish, arrogant boy, but somehow… she was. “That’s the fun of it.”

Darby sighed and then gestured to Clover’s bag. “You should have another.”

“Another what?”

“Smoke.”

Clover raised her eyebrows. “You’re condoning my smoking? Just a second ago, you said it wasn’t a good idea.”

“It’s not, but your hands are shaking.”

She hastily clasped them behind her.

Darby smiled again shyly. “You feel better when you have one.”

She did, but she hadn’t thought anyone noticed. Kerrigan knew about her condition. She simply hadn’t told the others. It wasn’t their business. Had Darby figured it out all on her own?

“All right,” Clover said, pulling out another smoke and bringing it to her lips.

“Let me.” Darby stepped forward and managed a flicker of fire magic to light the smoke.

Darby had never shown much affinity for magic, not like Kerrigan. It must have taken a great deal of concentration to light the cigarette.

Clover took a good, long pull on the smoke, breathing in the healing loch. It might be illegal, but it was the only thing that kept the pain back.

They stood together in silence as she finished her smoke. Darby purposely looked away from her and watched the crowd to see if anyone would appear. No one did.

“Do you…” Darby began and then bit her lip.

“Do I what?” Clover asked, stamping the smoke out on the ground and feeling like a new person.

“Do you like Hadrian?”

“Sure,” Clover said with a shrug. She did like Hadrian. Maybe more than liked him. It was why she couldn’t stop herself from poking at him.

Darby’s face crumpled slightly. “I see.”

“So, what if I do, Darbs?” Clover prodded.

“I just thought you liked…”

Clover waited, but Darby didn’t finish. “Say it.”

“Girls,” Darby finished on a whisper.

“Ah,” Clover said, a smirk crossing her features. “I do like girls.”

Darby’s look of confusion was adorable. Her little nose in the air, her eyes darting here and there, as if she were trying to