Page 166 of A Tongue so Sweet and Deadly

She thought about telling him.

She wanted to tell him.

But she couldn’t.

Not as long as he was blood-sworn to the king.

Instead she removed his hand, forced her shoulders back, and picked up the brush again.

She had no choice but to get through this evening.

Keep it together for a few more hours.

There were more lives at stake than her own, and after tonight, she’d be free to save them.

When she’d gotten all the tangles out, albeit with a shaky hand, she glanced in the mirror, trying to light up her face to match the dress.

But her eyes remained wary, and with a deep sigh, she took the arm Merrick offered, allowing him to lead her out and down into the common room.

Merrick was tense as he walked beside her, and she could sense he wanted to ask again what had happened, but thankfully, he kept his mouth drawn into a thin line as they reached the double doors.

She’d kept her gaze down as she passed a few groups standing around the hallways, but when Merrick came to a halt, she lifted her eyes and found Loche leaning against the wall outside the doors to the ballroom.

Releasing her arm, Merrick took a step aside just as Loche’s eyes found hers.

His mouth quirked as he dragged his gaze over her body, and he shook his head as he closed the distance between them.

“I don’t know what to say,” he mumbled as he pulled at her hand for her to spin before him.

“That would be a first,” Lessia joked weakly, trying to push away the mounting feeling of panic that roiled inside her as a guard opened the door for them.

Loche snorted, his fingers laced firmly with hers.

She glanced down at their joined hands and then back up at him. “Is this a good idea? I don’t think they’ll like you walking in with me.”

Loche smiled at her, his eyes glittering. “Fuck them.”

A small smile pulled at her lips.

He was right.

Fuck them.

After tonight, this nightmare would be over, and she’d never have to see these people again.

But her smile fell as she glanced at Loche, at how his broad grin wavered not once as they strode into the room and conversations quieted as people noticed them.

She’d never see him again either.

Merrick followed closely as Loche led her toward a table with wine, and Lessia tried to tell herself it was for the better.

Not just for her but for him.

She took a deep sip from the goblet Loche pressed into her hands, then turned toward the room.

It looked spectacular. Deep purple tapestries decorated every wall, and large chandeliers had been strategically placed to shine soft light over the many humans and Fae mingling in the room.

Well, the humans mingled with humans while the Fae stood by themselves to her right, seemingly whispering about the humans that dared walk by them and laughing at whatever they found amusing about their kind.

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