Page 42 of Reap the Night
He could never be mine.
I lifted my chin and forced my lips into the shape of disgust. “There you go again, relegating me to a possession, a thing you think you can have. Well, I don’t want to behadorownedorpossessed. Ariella, on the other hand, is besotted with you and?—”
“She means nothing.” He shook me. “I used her to make you jealous. I wanted to see pain in your eyes, the same pain I feel when you’re with him.”
“And that is why you’llalwaysbe a monster.”
Pain flashed in his eyes.
Real pain. Real emotion that stole my breath, but then his expression shuttered.
Cold and impassive.
“Yes, Orina. I’m a monster, and like all monsters, I can do terrible things and feel no remorse. Remember that when you lie with your new beau. Remember that his life is in my hands. Always.”
I didn’t doubt it. “Get out.”
“Goodbye, Miss Lighthart.”
He walked onto the balcony, morphed to shadow, and flew into the night.
Gone.
I waited long seconds to be sure he’d left, and then I threw myself onto the sofa and cried my heart out.
Chapter 15
MERRY
Ikeep getting lost in the sea of bodies undulating on the dance floor, but Holly always finds me, making sure to steer me back to our group. Padma’s and Edwin’s faces are flushed, eyes shining in the ethereal globe lights. They dance together, face to face, hers turned up to his and him leaning toward her. I’m so glad they’re having a good time. So happy to be here among my people.
This feeling, this atmosphere, the fae that surround me, bring a sense of peace and belonging that I didn’t realize I was missing.
Holly pulls me close, her lips tickling the shell of my ear. “Have you seen Orina?”
Orina? Last I’d seen her, she’d been dancing with Shay. I grab hold of Holly and push up on my toes to try and see above the crowd. Holly laughs and grips my waist, lifting me up easily so I can scan the floor.
“Anything?” she calls up.
The colors of the globe lights wash over people’s faces, turning the world blue then green then red and yellow. It’s hardto make out features, hard to focus because I may have had a little too much to drink, and—Oh, there’s Crush. He stands out even with the globe lights. So large and sturdy. I wonder what his muscles feel like. Will he let me squeeze them?
“Merry? Do you see her?”
“No!” But I see Crush and he sees me. Is he coming this way?
Holly lowers me, her expression concerned. “Stay here, I’m going to go look for Orina.” She pulls me toward Padma and Edwin. He loops an arm around my shoulders grinning manically and a fission of unease feathers up my spine. They’ve had a little to drink but the ecstasy on their faces, the joy beating off them and against my senses…
Oh no.
A shadow falls over me, and the scent of wildberries fills my head.
Crush.
I turn toward him, peering up at his brutally handsome face. His gaze roves over me, lingering a moment on my lips and sending a flush down to my toes before he glances at my friends.
“They’ve had fae wine.” He doesn’t raise his voice, but I hear him clearly over the cheery ditzy tune that has everyone moving. “It’s time for all but the fae to leave. Do you still wish to stay for the Silvercrest dance?”
A shiver of anticipation dances over my skin. “Yes, I do.”
