Page 31 of Only in Moonlight (The Moonlit Court #1)

Emmeline

L eaving the ballroom, I headed toward the toilets, but the moment I was out of sight, I shapeshifted.

I’d worn the blond fey man’s form so often when practicing with Valen that it felt completely comfortable.

I could easily leap across rooftops like this—not that I would, because Valen had warned me about the pegasi-riding guards patrolling the sky who would spot me immediately.

Rooftops were my usual escape if something went wrong.

And so many things could go wrong, especially with Drudon in the ballroom.

But I didn’t let those worries consume me.

The time for waiting and worrying was over.

It was time for stealing, and I felt a spring in my step as I returned to the ballroom.

Valen didn’t glance at me, keeping his attention on his conversation with some lord or another.

I spotted Regula in the center of a large group.

I couldn’t approach her with so many people around, not without an introduction—which no one could provide since this persona didn’t exist. But I didn’t need to seduce her right this instant. I could wait.

Eventually, she walked to the refreshment table. Her entourage followed, but that didn’t matter.

I strolled casually toward the same table, trying to predict which tray Regula was aiming for. Definitely a dessert. That massive cake? The sugar orbs? No, the petits fours.

I reached for the same one as she did, brushing her hand in a careful accident.

“Oh.” I arranged my expression into shock and awe. “My sincerest apologies, Your Highness. Please forgive my carelessness.”

Regula’s eyes explored me with interest, her lips quirking in amusement at my flustered apology. Valen really had her pegged. A pretty face and awed manner, and I’d drawn her in like a bee to a flower.

“If you wish to make it up to me, you may ask me to dance,” she said magnanimously.

I put a hand to my chest in shock before executing a courtly bow. “Would you grant me the utmost pleasure of a dance, Your Highness?”

She accepted, and I escorted her to the dance floor, where we seamlessly joined the Blue Rose partway through.

Her chilly hand clutched mine, and the feathers on her gown tickled my skin where my other hand held her waist. Having only ever danced with Valen, I felt slightly thrown by her shorter steps and more rigid movements, but I adjusted quickly.

“I haven’t seen you before, have I?” she asked, studying my face.

“I doubt it, Your Highness. I’ve only recently returned from Earth.”

She sneered. “One of the queen’s educational tours, I presume? I suppose your time on that little mudball taught you a great deal. You’ve returned with a new respect for their way of life? A realization that we’re not so different from them after all?”

“Hardly,” I said with an affected chuckle. “But their world holds treasure for those with the strength and vision to seize it.”

Her eyebrows rose, and I knew I’d piqued her interest even further.

“I’m from a merchant family,” I said. “We procure goods on Earth, though the recent import laws have made trade... challenging.”

“Yes, my sister is more concerned with protecting those savages than supporting her own people’s interests.”

I lowered my eyes. Any good courtier would get nervous bad-mouthing the queen.

She took her hand off my shoulder and lifted my chin. “Stand proud,” she commanded. “You’re a member of the Moonlit Court. You have every right to use the humans to build your wealth.”

I let my lips part and gazed at her with an amazed expression, feeling disgusted inside.

The dance ended. I swept into a low bow, and she bestowed a shallow curtsy upon me.

Everything hung on the next few moments.

If I hadn’t caught enough of her interest, she might return to her entourage.

But I couldn’t come on too strong, or I’d lose her.

Regula liked to pursue men, not the other way around.

“That wasn’t a full dance,” she said. “Surely you don’t intend to leave me so soon.”

“O-Of course not.”

The next dance was more intimate. We didn’t speak, my flirtations depending on subtle movements and deep eye contact.

She actually had gorgeous eyes—it didn’t seem right.

Clearer and more vivid than any human’s, their sky blue color deepened to a steely ring around the edges.

She had long, lovely eyelashes, and her thin eyebrows had been plucked to form dramatic arches.

Her perfume settled over me, something expensive and sophisticated.

But it had a sharp, metallic undertone that set my teeth on edge.

I twirled her, having to bend my arm awkwardly to avoid her feathered headdress.

I moved slightly closer to her upon her return—nothing too scandalous, but enough to signal my attraction to her.

The tempo sped up, the music growing louder as emotion infused each note.

These musicians were even better than the ones in the courtyard where Valen and I had practiced.

I wished I were dancing with him now.

The dance finally ended, and Regula smirked. “I see your time on Earth hasn’t dulled your dancing skills.”

“You flatter me, Your Highness. It’s much easier with a skilled partner.”

“Now you’re flattering me.”

“It’s not flattery if it’s true.”

“Quite so.”

The music for the next song began. I needed to make a choice.

“If Your Highness tires of dancing, I believe the east balcony offers a private place to rest.”

I didn’t have to hide my nervousness. I let my breath hitch in my throat and didn’t fight the tremor that ran through my body. My persona would be nervous after asking the princess for some time alone. But I had a lot more riding on this than romantic rejection.

Regula gave me a slow, wide smile. “An excellent idea.”

I offered her my arm and escorted her from the ballroom. Some of her entourage tried to follow, including two bodyguards, but she dismissed them with a shooing motion. I didn’t risk looking for Valen but knew he would note our departure.

We walked down an ornate, curving corridor, passing guards who inclined their heads to the princess as we passed.

Regula ignored them, and I strove to hide my relief when they didn’t follow us.

A few more steps, and we’d rounded enough of a curve that they couldn’t see us anymore.

According to the floor plans Valen had shown me, the door to the balcony should be—

Regula grabbed me and slammed me against the wall.