Page 36 of Kiss of Seduction

Evie didn’t want to be introspective. She was fine behind the emotional wall she’d built up for herself.

“I don’t know what you went through, Evie,” Lily said. “But it’s okay to not be fine.”

“It’s okay to be fine too,” Evie bit. “And it’s easy. It doesn’t hurt to befine.”

Lily was about to respond when Blake interrupted.

“Bastard!”

The gold coin she and Flea were fighting over had fallen on the floor and rolled towards Evie.

“Don’t use the stiletto thing.” Evie picked up the coin and flipped it to Blake. “Save it for when he really annoys you.”

Flea sulked, and Blake laughed. “I like you, Atkins. Or Anderson. Whichever.”

“Just Evie. The last name thing makes me sound like an agent.”

“After the stiletto story, I’d say you’d kill it in the field.” Flea fidgeted in his seat. “Just thinking about it hurts. Damn.”

As they laughed, Evie glanced back at the dining table and stilled. Natalya was looking at her, her eyes keen and intent. She was still speaking with Aleksander, but her attention was entirely on Evie.

Evie quickly turned away, trying to ignore the sensation of violet eyes burning into the side of her head. She got the sudden feeling she’d done something wrong, and Natalya was upset about it.

“You know people draw lots for the privilege of guarding you during your classes?” Flea said, reclaiming her attention. “Everyone wants it. The night teams are annoyed they can’t have the gig.”

Evie raised an eyebrow, smirking at Flea. Her usual confidence was easily summoned in the present company. “Are people that desperate for a show?”

“Not just a show.Yourshow.” Flea looked at Lily. “Have you seen Evie dance? It’s wild. It’s like she forgets gravity exists.”

“I haven’t,” Lily said, smiling more warmly now. “That would be a sight, though. If you’re impressing Flea, you must know what you’re doing.”

Evie couldn’t help but return the smile, adding a cocky tilt to it. She’d never been good with compliments when they concerned her as a person. Comments of her being sweet, or pretty, oranything like that felt hollow, and she tended to dismiss them as a result. But dancing was a skill, one she knew she was good at.

“I’ll have to bring you along sometime.” Evie grinned at Lily. “I’ll give you a private lesson. I’d love to see you flounder around on a pole.”

“Can we come?” Flea asked excitedly. He pinched Blake in the side. “I love nothing more than watching her flounder.”

“You are talking way too much for someone destined toloselater today,” Blake said sharply. “And I’ll make you lose alot.”

“Is that a promise?” Flea smiled with so much adoration it made Evie’s heart hurt a little.

“It’s a threat.” Blake returned the smile, the expression warm despite her cutting tone. Though their words were mean, those two were so disgustingly in love it had ruined them for other people.

“Normally, I’d blame this behavior on them moving to the Blue Ribbons last solstice, but they’re always like this,” Lily whispered. She hadn’t needed to. Blake and Flea were too busy threatening each other to hear her.

Evie furrowed her brows. “Blue Ribbons?”

Lily pulled at the silver pendant around her neck. Blake had one just like it, except hers was tinted blue. “It’s called a Ribbon contract. A human signs one to be Claimed and protected by a member of the Court. Some contracts let a member feed on you, while others let them… you know.”

Evie leaned back at the words. She’d heard Lily mention the contracts before, but she’d left out the Claiming part, as well as the other details. “Why would you want that?”

Lily glanced at Blake, who was laughing at something Flea had said. She looked happy. She didn’t look cowed or frightened. And neither did Lily, for that matter.

“Would I need to be…” Evie stopped herself. She couldn’t make herself say the word ‘Claimed.’ The thought of someone owning her in any way was frightening.

“You’re here as a guest. No one expects you to enter the contracts.” Lily smiled calmingly, but it turned a bit stiff at the end. “But people are talking. About you and Natalya. She’s never had someone stay with her this long before. Given what Natalya is, people are assuming she’s using you for—”

“She’s not,” Evie said quickly. “Nothing’s going on.”