Page 48 of Tragic Ink
“Gwen, he’s not the first person whose attention you’ve attracted tonight,” Rhyssaid.
I felt my cheeks heating. “But... it’s not like any of them talk to menormally.”
“You’re a little... hard to approach when you’re not disguised,” he pointedout.
Iscowled.
“Not to mention the mistletoe youtake.”
“Pointtaken.”
Rhys continued watching the human mystery man, and I bit my lip, still trying to decipher his strange tone. Was he actually jealous of some human with a spelled arrow? I’d been a little distant since we’d slept together on Rhys’s couch. It wasn’t so much the sex as what came afterward that had me unsettled. Rhys said he wanted me—not just for today but forever. And goddess knew I wanted him. But with a dark fae killer after me and the future so uncertain, I wasn’t sure whether I could let myself believe him just yet. Maybe when all this was over. Maybe then I could really open myself to Rhys and hispromises.
I let my thoughts wander, both of us still watching and scanning the guests. But everyone looked like they were supposed to be here. A few arrows lit up here and there, and people giggled or just tore off their masks, smiling—all too happy to lock lips with their otherhalf.
“These arrows are really stupid,” I muttered, feeling like a Scrooge more than ever. I wasn’t even surewhy.
“Really? I think they’re kind ofnice.”
I rolled my eyes, still watching the latest couple to match arrows. They’d removed their masks and pressed their lips together, both of them unconcerned at the room full ofonlookers.
“How can you think it’s nice? The magic is obviously fake,” I scoffed. “It’s like a classy orgy that—” I pulled up short as I turned to Rhys, my eyes locked on his arrow. It was lit a bright white. And the point was aimed atme.
When I didn’t react, Rhys reached for my arrow and gently spun it in my hand. He set it back against my palm so I was the one holding it, the point aimed at his stomach. Immediately, the entire thing lit up to a brightwhite.
“Well, shit,” Imuttered.
Even with the mask, I knew Rhys was grinning as he closed the distance between us. “Looks like we get our own orgy right here in thecorner.”
“Rhys, we have to stay focused,” I began but he’d already ripped his mask aside, leaning toward me, lips puckered. He grabbed the edge of my mask, lifting it just enough to expose my mouth—and pressed his lips tomine.
