Page 21

I sidestep Hart and come face to face with a female who isn’t in need of any glittery powder.

She glows from within, like she’s lived a blessed life and has never had to skip a meal or a bath in any of her annuses.

Her golden hair, swept over one shoulder, falls in soft waves across her breasts and down to her tiny waist. The pale pink fitted gown is made from the finest silk, interwoven with tiny silver threads that make it sparkle like miniature stars.

Her heart-shaped face frames pretty hazel eyes, and her pert nose sits above plump pink lips, which she stretches into a smile as I come into view.

I move my plate of meat onto the table behind me, suddenly feeling a little less hungry. “Hi, I’m Daphne,” I say, holding my hand out to shake hers. I’ve seen others do it as a greeting, and we aren’t at the hugging stage. She glances at my hand.

“Sorry, I’ve had my manicure done.”

And shaking my hand hurts that how? “Of course. I completely understand.” I don’t, not even in the slightest. “Are you friends?” I ask.

Felicity smiles like I’m stupid as Malachi reappears with a glass of berry wine in each hand. He offers me one and scowls at Felicity.

“Felicity, how horrible to see you,” Malachi says as his shoulder brushes against mine.

“Really, is that any way to treat your future sister-in-law?” she drawls. “Your future queen?”

Future what? How? I glance at Hart. He avoids my gaze like it’s a sport. Oh.

My heart squeezes in my chest. Is this why he stands apart from the rest of them? He’s already promised to another? Does he kiss her as if she’s his entire world while she is falling apart beneath him?

“You are not any of those things,” Malachi drawls like he couldn’t care less about the words she spouts, the same words that are breaking my heart.

She glances at me with amusement. “Did he pretend to be yours, Daphne? We’ve all heard of the maiden from Strongfair who has captured the attention of the knights. If you think yourself more than a passing fancy, you are in for a bumpy ride all the way back to Far, Far Away.”

“You know such a lot about me. Only people you consider either good friends or great threats deserve such attention,” I tell her. “Considering we have never met, and you won’t even shake my hand, I will consider myself in the latter category.”

“You are no threat to me,” she snaps.

“Correct, because if he wanted you, needed you, was planning on binding himself to you, I would not stand in his way. He is a knight capable of making his own choices. So I am no threat to you, Felicity. Perhaps you need to consider if you are worthy of his devotion?”

“I don’t want his devotion. I want what rightfully belongs to me, what was promised to me.”

“No one promised anything to you,” Hart whispers harshly. I almost miss his words in the noise of the great hall. But they have the desired effect on Felicity, as her eyes narrow.

“Am I missing something?” I ask as I take a sip of my wine. “Aren’t you meant to be tied to a post, at the mercy of a dragon? That’s the only way to become the worthy knight’s queen, or am I mistaken?”

She sneers at me. “Don’t be ridiculous. Hart can save any damsel and slay the dragon. I would then take my rightful place at his side on his throne.”

“And the damsel?” I ask, already knowing where this is going.

“Dead.”

I’m sad that I am correct.

“That was a fairy tale you made up in your head,” Hart says, a little louder. “You have always had designs on the throne, but they would never be realized.”

She widens her eyes in shock. “Is it her? A dull, clueless maiden? Hart, you will never be satisfied with her. She can’t be the jewel at your side. She won’t give you perfect offspring for the next generation.”

I can’t listen to this back and forth any longer. I am sick of these Hallowed looking down on me. Nobody is any grander than anyone else, and if they believe themselves to be, they are so much lower. I nudge Malachi’s arm, indicating I want to leave this situation.

Firm fingers grip my elbow as someone snatches the glass from my hand.

I’m spun around, and lips, firm and insistent, press against mine.

A warm hand presses against my spine, and I’m dipped backward.

I gasp, and a tongue sweeps into my mouth.

For a tempo, I assume Malachi is making a show out of the fact he wants me.

But it’s not. Hart’s eyes are open, but they aren’t the hard gems I’m used to seeing.

These are the emeralds dancing with a dark fire that will consume us both.

My hands slide into his hair, and I tug on the strands.

He groans into my mouth and sucks hard on my tongue, which makes things between my legs clench in neediness.

Something clicks on the floor, once, twice, three times. Hart smiles against my lips and takes his time standing me up straight. I’m a little dizzy from that kiss, but it’s totally worth it.

“When you’ve had enough playing with the riff-raff, come find me,” Felicity snaps. Her heels slap against the floor as she stomps away.

“Never going to happen, so you better enact your backup plan,” Hart calls out. “And for your information, all of my brothers are enamored with this beautiful creature, so you can cross them off your list, too.”

There are lots of curious stares being thrown our way, but my eyes are on Nash and Theo, who push through the crowd toward us.

“I...” Have no words. Hart kissed me in front of his kingdom’s powerful people and declared to the most beautiful woman here he is not interested and never will be. Is that because he wants someone else? Or... me?

“Keep an eye on our father,” Hart instructs as Nash and Theo reach us. “Calamity and I are done.” He grabs my plate and tugs me from the room we entered only a few tempos ago.

“Where are we going?” I breathe with a glance over my shoulder at the three smiling Stirlings we leave behind.

“You were mumbling about me wanting someone else, so I need to correct that notion.”

I was? Stupid mouth. “How?”

He grins at me, and my heart beats double time. Oh Blazes.