Page 229 of Never Kiss a Fae

“I can’t believe I’m going to a ball,” I marveled, amused. “Of all the things to do. I seriously thought dances were over after high school.”

“Welcome to the fae world.” He squeezed me once more before loosening his hold. “I’ll take you dancing sometime, just the two of us.”

I cocked a brow at him. “You dance?”

His lips curled. “Oh, Claire. You have no idea.” With that, he released me and led me to the door. “Vox and Sol are waiting and I can feel their impatience.”

Yeah, I could feel their nerves as well through the bond. I couldn’t talk to them the way I did Titus, Exos, and Cyrus, but emotions traveled easily between all of us. Such as Sol and Vox’s annoyance at Titus’s amusement. My fire mate found their formal attire comical, something he’d clearly remarked on a few times in their presence.

I turned toward my makeup to touch up my face, only to find myself being led toward the door with Exos’s palm against my lower back.

“No sense in reapplying lipstick, Claire. The guys will just destroy it.” He pressed his lips to mine for emphasis and opened the door before I could protest.

Sol and Vox stood in the hallway, their expressions morphing from nervous to clear appreciation as they caught sight of my gown.

“Oh, wow,” Sol said, awed. “You remind me of the azure meadows in the heart of Earth Kingdom, only even more alluring.” He stepped forward and captured my hand, bringing it to his lips. “Hi.”

Butterflies took flight in my stomach at that little word, the way his deep brown gaze twinkled with it almost shyly. I went to my toes to kiss him properly on the mouth. “Hi.” I took in his crisp black-and-white tux. “While I love you in jeans, you do wear this rather nicely.”

His lips twitched. “Yeah?”

“Yeah.” I kissed him again before turning to a mute Vox. The silver around his black irises seemed to thicken as he gazed at me, giving him an unearthly regal glow.

He swallowed.

Twice.

And cleared his throat.

“Try using your air,” Titus called from a few steps away. “I hear that helps with speaking.”

Exos chuckled at my back. “Can you blame him for being a bit speechless?”

“I certainly don’t,” Cyrus mused, joining us. He looped his arm around my waist, tugging me to him without acknowledging the others, and captured my mouth in a hungry kiss that left me shaking with need against him. “Now you’re properly warmed up.” He winked and nipped at my bottom lip. “Your natural blush is so enticing, Claire.”

“It is,” Vox agreed, his voice sounding a bit hoarse. “She’s magnificent.You’remagnificent.”

Now it was my turn to be speechless.

Between Cyrus’s embrace, the heat radiating from Exos, Sol’s compliments, and Vox’s nerves, I felt a bit overwhelmed.

The only one who didn’t seem to be flustering me was Titus, but catching his gaze from the other room, I understood why. He served as my rock, the one grounding me to the moment and lending me strength where he knew I would need it.

He blew me a kiss and winked.

All of these males played a different role in my sanity, bolstering my courage, taking care of me, and respecting me in ways I never could have anticipated.

I was seriously the luckiest woman in the world. No, in all the worlds. However many there might be.

I shook my head on a laugh. That was a topic for another day.

Tonight I wanted to have fun, just as Exos suggested.

I would spend the evening with two of my intended mates, forget about everything else, and just enjoy myself. Because my life? Yeah, my life was pretty fucking amazing.

And I had all my mates to thank for everything.

“Let’s go to the ball,” I said, eyeing Sol and Vox. “I can’t wait to dance with you both.”