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“I don’t like these games,” he replied, his hand holding me tighter, “but I do rather like holding you in my arms like this.”

Other couples began to join us, gliding past us as we continued to dance.

“I would have thought you had rather a lot of holding me in your arms this afternoon,” I said quietly.

Rook grinned, the dimples on either side of his mouth showing again. “I think you would know by now, my love, that you are all I desire to have in my arms, for all eternity.” He lowered his mouth a little, brushing his lips ever so delicately against my forehead.

“You need to be careful,” I replied. “There are a thousand eyes on us.” I looked back up at him. “Why are your eyes so dark? What have you done to them?”

Rook’s fingers brushed over my back. “I have dimmed them so as not to scare those attending,” he replied, “Theron commands it.” He cocked his head. “You do not like it?”

“I love your eyes,” I replied, “no matter the color.”

I felt a growl reverberate through his chest. “I want to kiss you right now.”

“Where?” I asked, grinning up at him.

He lowered his mouth to my ear. “Everywhere.”

Shivers went down my spine.

A couple bumped into us and I was suddenly pulled back into the room, into the moment of where we were. My gaze swept past Theron as we continued to dance, and my heart sank as I saw his eyes fixed on us.

“I am so tired of being watched,” I said, fighting the urge to lay my head against Rook’s chest.

Rook pulled me closer to him, and my head fell against his shoulder. “You’ll be free soon, princess.” His fingers brushed over my back again, slow and soft.

I said nothing. I wanted to believe it, and I could hear that Rook wanted to as well. But at this point, neither of us did. Theron's ring burned like fire on my hand, a reminder that he had a far more insidious plan in mind.What are you prepared to lose?

I shivered, and Rook’s gaze as it settled on me was one of concern.

“Alright?”

I nodded. “Just enjoying this.”

The music ended, and Rook led me from the dance floor. “Wine?” He asked.

“Yes, please.” I watched as he walked away, and then an unpleasant sensation prickled up my back. I turned and came face to face with Lord Caedmon. His eyes were positively terrifying this close.

“Your Highness,” he said, holding out a taloned hand. “I am so pleased to make your acquaintance personally.”

My skin crawled as I placed my hand in his, and I felt dizzy as he kissed it. “Indeed, Your Grace. I have never met a dragon.”

“Your father and I were good friends once,” Caedmon said as he straightened. His hand remained curled around mine, his clammy skin turning my stomach.

“Yes, you said so.”

“He had high hopes of you making a good marriage,” Caedmon said, and his eyes strayed to the side of my face. He grimaced a little, and shook his head. “Such a shame.”

“What is a shame?” I challenged him, pulling my hand from his.

He raised a hand, gesturing to my scars. “Fae ears are so pretty, and now you look like - well, like this.” He sucked on his teeth. “So terrible to see such a pretty face mutilated in such a way. But then if the cunt still works adequately, perhaps you will still be of use to someone.”

In a flash, Rook was behind Caedmon, a dagger at the dragon’s throat. I cried out, and the courtiers around us fell into shocked silence as they observed the scene.

“Say that again,” Rook snarled.

Caedmon’s eyes bulged a little, and he raised both hands slowly. “Say what again?”