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Does he suspect anything? The vial of poison in my purse felt like it burned a hole through the material.

Then, Drake swept his gaze from me to look out into the crowd of fae on the dance floor.

Their bodies gyrated to the bass that rippled through the walls and floors.

They appeared as if they were wraiths under the strobe effect of the lights—their bodies flitting between shadow and light.

I dug my fingernails into the bar counter we sat at, awaiting his reply. I dared not question him again lest I evoke suspicion.

“I’ll take another drink,” Drake murmured, his lips barely moving as his gaze remained on the throng of fae. My chest burned with anger as I watched the far-off look in his eyes. He had been like this ever since his encounter with the werewolf female .

I willed my breaths to remain even, reassuring myself that soon he would be mine. That all my research, and my planning, would be worth it.

Already, I had slipped him a couple of shots—drops of the potion sprinkled throughout. I feared if I emptied the whole vial into one drink, Drake would realize the alcoholic beverage was laced. Though he had consumed the liquor, Drake still failed to look at me with blinding lust in his eyes.

I wet my lips anxiously.

Did I voice the words incorrectly when I repeated the incantation? Why isn’t the spell working yet?

My nerves fraying, I turned to the bartenders milling behind the counter and requested another drink.

A few of the shadow fae that circled the bar, waiting for their drink order, cast me a dark glare.

A female fae bartender with dark hair fashioned in a pixie cut glanced my way.

Her upper lip curled in a sneer, and she opened her mouth—likely to snark at me to wait my turn.

Yet, when her eyes landed on Drake, her mouth snapped closed, and her features paled.

“I’ll have that drink order for you right away, Prince Drakegeon,” she stammered, already at work retrieving the ice in a fine glass. I allowed my lips to curl into a smug smirk as I watched her quickly make the cocktail and place it on the counter.

“Sorry for the delay, Your Highness,” the fae female said. Head bowed, she backed away three steps, then turned to serve the other customers.

Grabbing the drink, I swiveled in my chair, turning my back to Drake. Unzipping my purse, I quickly poured a couple of drops of potion into the drink, returned the vial, and then surreptitiously slid the drink back onto the counter .

“It pays to be the crown prince, sometimes, doesn’t it,” I purred as I handed Drake his drink.

He took it without reply and threw his head back, downing the liquor. My heart deflated a little at his lack of a response, though my gaze quickly honed in on his strong neck muscles flexing with each drop he drank.

He finished the drink and lowered the glass from his mouth. Licking his lips, Drake said, “Thank you, Rosalana, for bringing me out here and for attempting to lift my spirits.” He shot me an apologetic look. “Sorry for being such a sour partner today.”

I felt guilt sink its sharp claws into my stomach at the thought of what I had just given him to drink.

I shook my head fiercely. “No, you’re not,” I protested. “Just…well…your thoughts are preoccupied, is all.” I rose from my seat and grabbed his hands. “Let me take your mind off whatever troubles you.” I walked backward, tugging. Drake with me into the fae that filled the dance floor.

“I really don’t feel up to this, Rosalana,” Drake grumbled, standing amongst the partygoers, as stiff as a board.

I huffed. “Come on, how can you ever get your mind off of her if you keep living in the past?” I whirled, giving him my butt, and began to sway to the beat as if my body was born for the rhythm—I knew it intimately.

I dropped down lower, allowing my mini dress to rise and flash my thighs for Drake’s viewing pleasure.

Drake slowly began to move behind me as if it took every ounce of strength to dance.

I didn’t give up, didn’t let myself become disappointed.

He was dancing with me, and that’s all that mattered.

I ground against Drake, luxuriating in the feel of his groin and hard muscles in all the right places.

The feel of him was exquisite—everything I had ever wanted.

I bit back a moan as I caught how big he was beneath his leather pants.

See? I told myself. He will be mine. All mine.

We carried on dancing for a few more minutes, yet no matter how hard I tried to seduce him into letting go and allowing the rhythm to pull him under, he refused.

Drake stood more like a mannequin in my arms. I opened my mouth, the sharp words on the tip of my tongue, when I caught sight of his eyes.

They had become glassy, his blinking sluggish.

Satisfaction burst inside my chest. It was working!

“Here,” I said, backing away from Drake, “let me grab you another drink.” I left him on the dance floor and hurried back to the bar.

One more drink for good measure, and I’ll pour what little is left of the vial. Then I’ll get him all alone and…

I giggled at the thought of Drake naked before me, my hands roving his body. My giggles died as I saw the surge of fae congregating around the bar. It was as if those who’d danced had danced away all the moisture from their bodies and needed a drink to replenish themselves.

Growling with frustration, I shouldered my way to the front, ignoring the protests from those in line.

“I need a drink,” I yelled above the music. I snapped my fingers at a tall fae male. He looked down at me, an imperious brow raised.

“Wait your turn, female,” he growled.

“But…but, it’s for the crown prince! ”

The male chuckled. “Sure it is,” he said, his tone dripping with sarcasm. “You’re going to have to wait your turn like everyone else, princess .”

My mouth fell open. I don’t have time for this!

“Did you not see I was just here a moment ago? I sat right next to the prince!” I exclaimed, my arms flung out wide in disbelief and mounting irritation.

The male simply shrugged a shoulder. “I just started my shift, so I didn’t see anyone. But I do see you trying to cut to the front. Now get your ass back in line.”

My talons sliced from my fingernails. I would not let that male interfere with my plans. Not today!

“You heard him,” a slender female fae said, second from the front. She flashed a wicked smirk. “Back to the end of the line, bitch.”

“Y-you…” My hands trembled, and I clenched them into fists, filling with the need to deck her.

Yet, one look at her fine emerald headband signaled she was from the royal court—much higher in position than me, which meant severe punishment if I struck a hand against her.

By the dark twinkle in her eye, she knew it as well.

The bartender handed her a pretty sangria. She thanked the male before casting one last triumphant glance my way and strode off with a sway of her hips.

Swallowing the scream building in my throat, I marched to the back of the line. I crossed my arms over my chest, tapping my foot with impatience. By the time it was my turn to have my drink order taken, twenty-five freaking minutes had passed .

And still, the bartender was slow in getting my drink. Part of me suspected he purposely moved at a crawl in an attempt to ruffle me further. He slid the drink across the counter.

“Now, here you go,” he said, offering a sly wink.

“Thanks,” I growled between clenched teeth.

Thanks for nothing.

I whirled and stalked off. Stepping on the dance floor, I looked around for Drake.

Yet, there was no sign of him. I used my nose to scent him out, yet I wasn’t a powerful shadow fae and didn’t have a strong bloodline to use my powers to distinguish people in such a large crowd.

The cloying scent of perfume, sweat, and body odor permeated the floor.

I made my way through the bodies keeping an eye out for Drake… but…

He was gone.