Page 236 of Cursed Evermore

Dreynthor straightened then grinned at me. “Charming, isn't she? No wonder you keep her so close. I'd hate to see such beauty go to waste in the wrong court.”

“Thank the Gods she's in the right place.” I nodded.

“Indeed. Anyhow, I'm sure you will not mind if I steal your beauty away for a dance.”

What the fuck was this motherfucker playing at? It was on the tip of my tongue to tell him I minded and he couldn't touch her with his evil hands. Then I realized this was a test.

Hewas testing me.

If I objected, I'd fall right into his trap and expose my weakness even more. Then I might put her in danger. I couldn't do that.

“Sure. Have a dance.” I barely got the words out and forced a nonchalant grin. “It is your name day, after all.”

I deserved an award for every time I stopped myself from ending him.

“Indeed.” He held out his hand, and Elariya took it.

He ushered her away from me. She glanced back, clearly uncomfortable but going with the flow. All I could do was watch my girl leave on someone else's arm and act like it didn't gut me.

Every time something happened to pull us apart, I realized just how badly I wanted her. This time felt like fate—or destiny—was telling me to open my eyes and make the choice.

I did. I would always choose her.

I was her villain, and she was mine. It was as simple as that.

I'd fight a good fight to get what I wanted and restore my kingdom, but my end game was her.

Even if she forgot me for eternity and I spent the rest of forever making her remember she was mine.

Even if I remained cursed evermore.

Chapter 46

Elariya

“Dancing in Silk and Poison”

Soft violin music drifted through the ballroom, but I barely heard it over the thundering of my heartbeat.

Dreynthor's hand rested at the small of my back as we moved in perfect time to the waltz, his touch making my skin crawl despite the layers of fabric between us.

All I wanted was to be with Wolfe. I'd been desperate to see him, so desperate I'd spent the whole day counting down the hours.

The wait had been worth it. The sight of him dressed in his formal attire with his hair pulled back from his face stole my breath away. The way his eyes had burned into mine when we found each other across the crowded ballroom was still warming my heart. The heat in his voice when he'd whispered those sinful promises in my ear still singed my core. And here I was, dancing with hisuncle.

I forced a polite smile as Dreynthor spun me gracefully across the marble floor, but every fiber of my being wanted to pull away.

Dreynthor Nightblade had the regal bearing of a seasoned warrior. He had raven hair like Wolfe's, though shorter and more severely styled. He was over a thousand years old, but his Fae heritage kept him looking no older than his late forties. Beneath the surface of his cold eyes lay intimidation and darkness. The kind designed to cut deep and usurp power no matter the cost.

He was exactly as Arielle had described him, and her warning about him being creepy proved completely accurate. His leery gaze sent shivers down my spine, the way he looked at me making my stomach churn. It felt like he was dissecting me with his eyes, trying to peel back my skin and examine what secrets lay beneath.

Play nice,I reminded myself, keeping my expression pleasant even as his fingers pressed a little too firmly against my spine.Just get through this dance.

I caught a glimpse of Wolfe watching us through the swirling dancers. He stood rigid by one of the long tables, his jaw clenched tightly. Even from here, I could feel the barely-leashed fury radiating from him. He was watching every move his uncle made, every touch, and I could sense it was taking great effort not to intervene.

The protective way he'd positioned himself between me and Dreynthor earlier hadn't escaped me. It was as if Wolfe was trying to shield me from whatever game his uncle was playing.

“You dance beautifully, my dear,” Dreynthor murmured, his breath too close to my ear.