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“It was exciting. I enjoyed the ball until the Witch appeared.” She turned her head to Bradwick. “I have never seen one before. They look just like us.”

He nodded as he spoke. “I have seen a handful. They do try to take over my palace, which is one of the reasons I have hired Geryon as my guard.” Geryon crinkled his nose, not liking the risky subject. He was once again being too open and honest about it, when Geryon was trying to parade around as a human. “He has also killed human assassins. He has an eye for those who wish to commit evil against me.”

“You are lucky to have such a strong and cunning guard, then. Otherwise, I fear I would not be strolling with you this day.”

Geryon grinned, liking her openly complimenting him.

Bradwick laughed. “You are quite right.” Then the king turned to face him. “You must be enjoying this conversation, Geryon.”

“Enormously,” he chuckled back. “Please, continue. I do so like having my ego stroked.”

“No, this is supposed to be about me.” Bradwick gave a pout.

Geryon rolled his eyes at him for it.Selfish man.

Their stroll didn’t last much longer, and they returned to the court, where Bradwick eventually took another for a walk. Geryon stayed behind, since it was Charlotte he’d taken this time, and Bradwick was aware he couldn’t stand their conversations. He’d been hoping to get a chance to corner Cecily, but she remained with the court.

“It is sad we will have to separate tomorrow,” Wyetta said while Geryon listened in from a small distance away. “Someone will be chosen to stay to be courted further, and the rest of us will have to leave. As much as I am hoping it will be me, I have grown attached to you.”

“Yes, there are people I will miss here,” Cecily answered with her calm composure, not actually showing such care. “You and Lady Victoria have been kind to me. I have enjoyed my time here.”

She may leave tomorrow eve,Geryon thought, not realising her possible departure was so close. She may also be selected.No. I will convince Bradwick otherwise.

Geryon had finally decided what he wanted.

After the night they’d shared, Geryon knew he wanted to keep this female while he was pretending to be human in this palace. He would never reveal what he was to her, but he could give her twenty years, maybe more, if he was able to push his luck with lies about his lack of ageing.

At some point before she left, Geryon needed to speak with her. He would ask her if she would allow him to court her, visit her at her family’s manor.

She may reject me.If she told him ‘no,’ he would let it die and leave her be. He hoped she didn’t.

It bothered him she didn’t separate from the court whatsoever, as though she wanted to spend time with them before they were forced to say goodbye.

Humans are strange. If they wish to see each other, can they not visit one another?He hadn’t expected this sombre display from them.It is because they are females.Not only did he not feel like a human, he was also a male.I am the last thing that would be able to understand the oddness of human women.

He noticed when Bradwick returned right before the last dinner they would all share together, he pulled Lady Victoria to the side to speak privately with her. They were done talking by the time he managed to approach, and their hushed conversation had been drowned out by the loudness of the court.

He’d been unable to hear, but if it was important, Bradwick would tell him of it. Otherwise, Geryon didn’t care.

“Quickly, Lady Cecily,” Victoria chirped as she pulled Valerie along to her living arrangements. “There is something I must tell you.”

Victoria was giggling from a little too much wine, but she was quite charming when intoxicated.

Valerie had a feeling she knew what it was, since she had planted the seed earlier in the day. If the king didn’t take her planted thought, she had another plan up her sleeve – one that would cause a fuss with the creature she’d been tip toeing around this day.

Geryon had been like a lurking watch dog around her. Valerie had done everything possible to avoid him without being suspicious.

I think I succeeded.She touched at her throat.Wearing the ribbon helped.She saw him smile at her, delighted in the fact she had chosen to wear it.

Instead of wearing it as a show of affection, an unspoken secret between them, she had used it to collar him. He didn’t lash out in untempered anger, didn’t pull her into any rooms to speak with her.

Now, she just needed to survive this evening without seeing him.

Once they finally made it to her rooms, Victoria quickly shut the door and squealed while running on the spot.

“Lady Cecily!” The high-pitched tone that came from her was ear piercing, and Valerie stifled her wince. Victoria clapped her hands like a giddy child. “King Bradwick has demanded your presence in his chambers this eve! He told me to invite you when you were in the privacy of your rooms, and that I am not permitted to share this news with anyone.”

Good, my plan succeeded.She felt no joy in hearing the words, but she tried her hardest to appear pleasantly surprised.