Page 329 of Kingdoms of Night

“You know Cal. It’s hardly the first time he’s made us cross worlds for a party.” The woman’s the picture of self-assured confidence, and her smile is infectious, but when her eyes settle on me, I can’t deny a shiver of fear. “And this must be the goddess that has you returning home every night this hunt.”

Dryan’s hand moves along my waist, settling on my shoulder. “Indeed, this is my Lena, lady of the keep."

I frown, head snapping to him. I thought the folk couldn’t lie?

“Lena, my friend Calreth, and his mate, Keira—the lords of the hunt.”

“Charmed,” the man replies.

While we spoke, two seats appeared with us on the dais, either materializing out of nowhere or brought by invisible servants, I couldn’t tell. Dryan gestures toward them. “Join us to celebrate the end of this hunt—and the winter solstice in your world.”

Did he just say in their world?

Cal and Keira come to sit by our side, and trolls appear with gold platters of refreshments. I take a goblet of black wine and grin at my server. “I appreciate the drink, Blea.”

I don’t remember the name of every troll in the keep, but this green-skinned one has attended me often enough.

He grumbles something along the line of only doing his job, and moves along as Dryan shoots me a cautioning look.

“What? I didn’t thank him.”

“Too close,” he shoots back, glaring at the troll’s retreating silhouette.

I know he’s tempted to hunt him down and hand him his weight in gold to ensure to put the favor back on him. I roll my eyes.

“A lady with manners for the help!” Keira seems delighted. “Now I must hear where he found you.”

Now she’s close, I’m startled to notice that her ears are almost round, just a little pointed at the tips—nothing like the foot-tall, sharp ears of pixies or the elegantly curved points of the high folk. She looks almost human, and yet not at all.

“In the mortal kingdoms. His father stole us away, and he stole me from his father,” I sum up cheerfully.

“Fair,” Calreth says. He holds his glass high and toasts. “To stolen brides!”

I chuckle and raise my glass. I’m no bride, but the entire situation is hilarious all the same.

Cal and Keira are good company, and the conversation flows effortlessly, though I don’t understand everything they talk about. Keira, in particular, uses some words that make no sense at all, like “computer” and “microwave.” Dryan and Cal seem to understand, so I don’t interrupt, nodding like I’m not completely clueless.

The hunt’s leader constantly showers his companion with his attention, barely even pausing to notice anything else going on in the sinful den that is the Crystal Keep’s great hall.

“They’re in love,” I whisper, when they’re too busy kissing to pay attention. I didn’t think the fae were capable of that specific emotion, but those two are showing me otherwise.

I didn’t even think Dryan would have heard me amid the chaos, but he laughs. “Foolish, to openly display such weakness, is it not?”

“Foolish,” I echo, feeling strange, though I can’t pinpoint my issue.

“Come. Let’s dance. It’s almost time.”

Time for what?I almost ask, but I can guess, and I’d rather not think of it.

Dryan takes my hand in his and leads me to the center of the hall. The glorious couple leading the hunt join us, but I can’t even see them. I only see and feel Dryan. His hand against my waist. His mouth close to my forehead. His arm under my grasp.

I'm terrified and enthralled. The beat of my heart accelerates as we sway along with the beat of drums and the whispers of chords.

Dryan’s steadying hand is both a shackle and a lifeline. I hold on with all I have. I can tell that if I stop touching him, something awful might happen.

“Are you really going to take me in front of everyone?” My lips tremble.

“Over and over, pet. It’s the light celebration, on the longest night of the year. All of the powers of the night are demanding it. Can’t you feel it?”

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