Page 5 of The Gilded Fae (Royal Fae of Rose Briar Woods 2)

“No one is nearby.”

“All right.” Anxiety twists like vines in my stomach, making me a little lightheaded. “I’ll try.”

Alex begins, looking right at me as he sings, making my pulse quicken. I don’t know what he’s saying, but it doesn’t matter—it sounds like a song about love.

When it’s my turn, my voice is clear despite my nerves. Though I do my best to follow the music, I’m not certain I’m hitting the right notes. But it feels natural, and I lose myself in it, letting my magic guide me.

Alex’s smile falters. He watches me with his head slightly tilted to the side. When he forgets to join me for the duet, I lower the music and reluctantly meet his eyes.

“Was it bad?” I ask, embarrassed. “I was trying to go off memory, but I heard the song for the first time this evening.”

Alex steps forward, and a smile ghosts across his lips. “You didn’t follow the music.”

I shrug, looking away. “Like Favoran, I’ve never learned how to read it.”

“I’ve never heard anything like it.”

When I shoot him a look, he steps even closer. “But I realize I’ve made a grave error in judgment.”

“You have?”

“I mistook you for a Faerie when you are, in fact, a siren.” He grins, but it’s a little lopsided, and it makes my heart jump.

I swat his arm with the sheet music, rolling my eyes. “Honestly.”

“No, I’m serious.” His expression becomes solemn. “What did you do? There was magic in that, I’m sure of it.”

When I was a child, I sang often. The queen of the Eilonwy Court told my mother I was gifted and said my talent should be nurtured. Since Mother has never gotten along with Queen Salvia, she scoffed, saying it was a worthless gift. I’ve been hesitant to sing in front of anyone ever since.

“So I wasn’t awful?” I ask, wishing I didn’t care quite so much what this human thinks.

“Not awful at all,” Alex says softly. “Let’s try again.”

Feeling flushed thanks to his praise, I nod.

We sing once more, and Alex doesn’t forget to join me when it’s time. The two languages twine together, feeling symbolic. As the song comes to an end, he takes me in his arms—just as he did in the show. I end up against him, my forearms pressed to his chest.

He’s warm and solid and so very handsome. I stare up at him, my heart racing as I remember the scene from the performance. I know what’s supposed to come next.

Alex looks down at me, breathing hard. Slowly, his eyes drop to my lips.

“I shouldn’t kiss you, princess,” he whispers. “We’ve just met.”

I’m transfixed by the moment, by this feeling of being held for the first time. “But if not now…then when?”

“I have to leave in the morning,” he says.

“You do.”

“Our time is short.”

“It is,” I agree softly.

“So perhaps you’ll forgive me for being forward?”

He leans his head down, giving me time to step out of his arms. Slowly, I lift my gaze to his, finding it difficult to breathe. When Alex sets his hand on my side, I shiver with sweet anticipation.

“You’re nervous,” he says quietly. “Is this your first kiss?”