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The whole thing casts a dark pall on the festival. Even this evening’s ball is a more somber occasion than the last two. The conversations are subdued, and I swear I see fairies looking over their shoulders, like the boogeyman might jump out and snatch them when they’re not looking.

This evening, rather than enjoy himself, Des ping-pongs from one official to the next, receiving updates, offering suggestions, and listening to worries. Even now, even when he’s supposed to be enjoying the evening, he’s working. I watch him, his arms folded across his massive chest as he leans down to listen to a Flora fae.

“I’m surprised he left you alone.” Janus steps up to my side, looking like the morning sun.

Almost immediately, I feel my panic rise.

He’s not going to take me, I try to calm myself.Not here at least.

Then an even sharper thought lances through me.What if he’s behind the recent disappearances?

Sure, he wasn’t here that first evening when two of our men went missing, but he did take me, that I’m sure of.

“I’m surprised you’re not alongside him offering aide and advice.” I’m proud that my voice doesn’t tremble as I speak.

“I wanted a drink”—he lifts his glass—“and a break.” He swirls his wine. “Besides, I find the King of Night insufferable—no offense.”

He glances at me, and I hold his gaze. Everything about him is made to be warm and inviting, from his tan skin to his golden hair to his bright blue eyes. And yet I find him cold, so very, very cold.

You took me. We both know it.

“You must hate me,” he says softly, not looking away.

“Are you admitting to what you did?” I can’t believe I’m having this conversation.

“Ididn’ttake you.”

“You and I both know that’s not true,” I say.

“Gods above,” he says, glancing heavenward, “it is.”

My skin is crawling. Every second I stand here talking to this man, I feel like I’m one step closer to death.

“Listen,” I say, leaning in, “I don’t know if you’re the Thief of Souls or if you simply work for him, but Iwillfucking pin this on you, you sick son of a bitch.”

I’m shaking, and I’m frightened, and I’m hopped up on enough adrenaline to lift a car, but I just looked my abductor in the eye and told him off.

Goddamn, I feel like a badass.

I’m about to leave when he catches my wrist. “Wait—”

“Donottouch me,” I warn.

Des snaps his head up from his conversation across the room, his attention homing in on us.

Janus releases my wrist like it burned him. “I was giving a speech to my people when you were taken. I have proof.”

Shadows creep up the edges of the room.

“I don’t believe you,” I tell him. But not for the first time today, I hesitate. Am I remembering things wrong?

Suddenly, none of that matters because Des materializes in front of me, coming between me and the King of Day.

“Janus, you need to step the fuck away from my mate.” Des’s wings begin to unfurl, his talons looking particularly lethal. “Don’t talk to her”—he takes a step forward—“don’t look at her”—another ominous step—“don’t come close to her.” The two are almost nose to nose. “As far as you’re concerned, she doesn’t exist.”

Around us, the room has gone quiet. I’m pretty sure everyone is expecting a repeat of last night’s brawl.

Janus appears unimpressed. “You’ve forgotten your place, Flynn. It’s within my rights to speak to any of the subjects here, mated or not.”