Page 73 of A Bargain with the Fae King

Once, I read that make-up is a woman’s body armor. It would have to be mine tonight. I’ve no illusions that this fae ball will be any more pleasant than the first I stumbled into. Quite possibly, it’ll be worse, given there’s another fae court in attendance as well.

I need all the armor I can get. How many times have I almost cracked? Almost broken down in sobs because my sister is captive and it’s all my fault?

So many. Too many to count.

And it can’t happen tonight, not in front of all these fae. I won’t let them see me break.

Riven strolls in from the adjoining bedroom.

Everything stills as we stare at each other across the room.

He’s resplendent, literally almost glowing with power. His outfit oozes decadence and wealth. Finely cut brown pants; a silken white shirt; a fitted overcoat in deep green, decorated with golden thread; tall, dark brown boots that hug his calves to utter perfection. He’s left his hair loose, flowing down behind his head and shoulders. Atop his head sits a crown of golden leaves twisted together and spotted with emeralds.

This is the King of the Forest. Undampened, in all his fearsome glory. Had I not known him, I’d be tempted to fall to my knees in a mix of fear and awe.

“Perfection.” His word of praise holds an air of awe.

It takes a moment to realize that he’s addressed that comment to me and had not been answering my own thoughts on his attire. I run my hands along the lace as he continues to sweep me with his gaze.

I have no words to adequately describe him. It’d take too many. Instead, I settle on, “Thank you.”

This fae king is regal as a lion and just as much the predator. I’m his prey; there’s no mistaking that. If he had a tail, it’d be flicking back and forth, an indication he’s ready to pounce. The amused, playful mask of the fae king is back in place tonight. He may need it just as much as I need my armor of make-up.

As he stalks closer, it’s all I can do not to retreat. But it’s not fear causing my heart to race. Quite the opposite.

“May I have a few minutes alone with Lia?” He croons, gently fingering one of the golden leaves in my hair.

I shift on my feet. Butterflies flutter in my stomach.

Riven’s so close. The sweet hint of honeysuckle invades my nose, blending with the distinctly odd feeling of magic rolling off him.

Karin fixes him with a hard stare. “Do not mess up my masterpiece.”

Riven chuckles at her words as he wraps a tendril of my hair around his fingers, bringing it to his lips.

“Will you be there?” I ask her as she gathers her things to leave. Anything to distract him. Not to mention it’d be nice to have another familiar face around.

“No,” she replies a bit too quickly. “I don’t think I would enjoy it, but I’ll see you tomorrow.”

When the door clicks shut behind her, I gather my courage and turn to face Riven. He lets go of my hair and settles his hand on my shoulder.

“You look…” I start.

Riven raises his eyebrows, expectant. “Like the most handsome male you’ve ever seen?”

Always so humble.I can’t stop the eye roll. Heisthe most handsome man I’ve ever seen, but that’s not what I’d planned to say. “Different. I… I think I can almost see the magic coming off of you.”

“Today, it’s necessary.”

Itismagic. My mouth forms a silent O. A show of power. Clearer and more definite than any military might. Intended to intimidate Sigurd and remind him who rules here. All those things he doesn’t say, but he doesn’t need to.

“Is it so repulsive to you?” he asks.

Is it? It makes him even more otherworldly. No one could ever confuse him with a human when magic literally seeps off him like thin, wavering steam that glitters in the light. Not that you really could before, but it’s even less of a possibility now.

Something in me, something in my very DNA, wants to quake in terror at the sight of him.

It’s so wrong, so other. And yet, it’s him.

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