Page 79 of A Bargain with the Fae King

Deep within me, that girl is still there. Somewhere. Maybe. “I think I would enjoy that.”

We walk and talk of her plans until Riven pulls me away and onto the dance floor.

Fae music is hypnotic. It’s easy to forget that mass of fae around me and the way they warred for my attention at the first ball I’d stumbled into.

They don’t dare now.

Lingering glances, whispers, sure, but no one would dare to steal their king’s partner.

That alone gives a lift to my chin and confidence to my step.

I’m Riven’s consort. Lady of the Forest.

With the music taking hold of my spirit and Riven leading me across the floor, it doesn’t even matter that I’m a terrible dancer and don’t know a single fae dance.

The last stanzas of a song weave through the night.

I giggle as Riven twirls me around in a circle, the hem of the long gown fluttering. This night has turned out so much better than I expected. His strong arm snakes around my waist, halting my turn and pulling me against him. His head dips. The world fades away, and all I know his him—his warmth, his scent.

My heart flutters, ready to be lost in his kiss, when something catches my attention out of the corner of my eye.

I turn as fae couples lurch out of the way.

Sigurd strides through the crowd like a shadow on a sunny day, seeping away the warmth of the moment.

A growl rumbles from Riven’s chest.

Sigurd saunters in our direction, smirking all the while. The nearby fae practically trip over themselves to get out of his way.

“May I have the next dance?” His half-smile and mischievous, sapphire eyes are in sharp contrast to the courtesy of his outstretched hand.

Riven grins a wolf’s smile. “Sorry, but I prefer to dance with women.”

Sigurd’s lips twitch. “As do I.”

I hang on to Riven for dear life as the two kings stare each other down.

Please no. My thoughts plead as I try to keep my features neutral.No.

“Well, what friend would deny such a request?” Riven’s smile is too broad, the words so sweet they hurt my teeth.

A chill leeches into my skin as he releases me from his protective embrace. I scramble for a hold of his coat, but he steps away.

No.I wobble on my feet. This can’t be happening.

Riven claps a hand on Sigurd’s shoulder as he passes by. His broad smile never breaks, but the words he grates out between his white teeth are so low I almost miss them. “If you do anything to her…”

Sigurd shrugs him off. “It’s only a dance.”

The nearby fae are as frozen and wide-eyed as me when Sigurd steps into Riven’s place.

The King of Air extends his hand with a dip of his head, but this time it’s empty, waiting for the gift of my company. “Lia.”

Chapter 26

Riven’sretreatingbackvanishesinto the crowd. My teeth grind. All the warm, pleasant feelings that gave my feet wings moments ago are gone.

Fine. If he’s going to leave me with his hated adversary, then I’ll dance with him, and dammit, I’ll do my best to enjoy it. My heel grinds against the stone floor. Let him watch me linger in Sigurd’s arms.

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