Page 73 of A Liar's Twisted Tongue

Acansa, an all-Folk school in Lorucille. Aralia has briefly mentioned how she went there for two years with Calista. How when she got back a year ago everything had changed and that it wasn’t worth it.

“So you’d go back to Lorucille?” I say like the thought is sad, which I guess it kind of is. I wouldn’t mind a room for myself, but she’s done a lot for me already.

“Yeah,” she frowns and her hands stop swinging. “My sister is pregnant, and my mom thinks that showing the three of us as a united front will be best for the new star of the family,” she exaggerates the last four words. “Do you want a drink? The dances are going to start any minute.”

“Who are we dancing with?” I ask.

“Anyone. Everyone.”

I look at Lucian, then he looks at me. “Yes.”

I sip on the vesi and I can feel it burning through me. Much different to the bubbly warmth of the wine. Minutes later, I’m holding the neck of a man I’ve never met. He feels foreign beneath my palms, where I’ve gotten so used to holding Lucian. Dancing with him. I’d hoped I wouldn’t miss it, but here I am, dancing with another and thinking of him.

Keeping up with the steps doesn’t offer me any sense of pride with him on my mind. Noticing the older woman’s eyes that are still on me doesn’t do anything to help either.

And when I see Lucian look at that woman, I wonder what kind of game he’s playing.

The next person I’m holding is Kai. I tense beneath his hands without meaning to when I’m bombarded by the memory of dragging him to the forest. Of almost bashing Aralia’s head in. I look down.

“Not having a good time?” Kai asks.

I meet his brown gaze. “Not particularly, no.”

“It seems we have something in common,” he says as we slowly move across the floor.

I don’t particularly know what to say, but I’m thinking I have to make a good impression. I have the prince here, listening and talking to me. It’s an ample opportunity. One prince is valuable to have in my corner, so long as I can keep him there without divulging too much truth.

Why not try for two?

“Really? I kind of figured balls would be your thing.” I let out an exaggerated little laugh.

“And why would that be?” He raises a brow, but I think the gesture is more playful than anything. Good.

“I don’t know. You’re a prince. Isn’t this what you do?”

“Touché,” he says.

We dance a few steps in silence. I ask, “So you don’t like being a prince?”

He shrugs a little, then smiles. “It has its perks.”

“Like what?” I grin.

“No one can say anything when I do this.” Then he’s taking long strides and I’m fighting to keep up as we spin around the room. Something that no one else is doing. I feel a little dizzy, but when he laughs, I laugh too. “I’d say it’s well worth it.”

“Oh, yeah,” I laugh. “Me as well.”

“I believe our time might be coming to an end.” Kai presses his lips together and down in a mocking frown.

“I think you may be correct.” I smile. “Till we meet again?”

He lets out a second’s worth of laughter. “Till we meet again.”

My next three partners are nowhere near as entertaining as Kai. And when I see Lucian dancing with another girl, it’s the most irrational part of me that imagines that it’s his strong, calloused, and familiar hands on my waist.

Chapter 15

Can’t Save Them All

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