Page 31 of Cruelest Kiss and Fairest Blood
I straighten up in my seat, adrenaline whipping through my veins.It’s Harrow. I know it is. There are no wings, but it’s him. He halts his movements, leaning casually against the wall.
I move to rise, when my mother’s hand lands on mine. “Where are you going, my love?”
There’s no good reason for my absence. If I mention wanting food or drink, it will simply be brought to my seat. The ladies’ room could work. But the nature of this gown means I’ll have to take ladies’ maids with me. That won’t do. I could feign ill, ask to retire for the evening. “I?—”
“Good evening, Your Highnesses.” A familiar, warm voice draws my attention to the base of the dais steps. Cassius stands, head to toe in an outfit of burnt orange and honeyed gold. The fabrics bring out the red tint to his hair. The mask he’s chosen is a fox, with the same fire-colored gemstones from the necklace he gave me embedded all the way around the outside of the mask.
“Prince Cassius,” my father greets him.
“We’re so glad you could join us for the betrothal festivities,” my mother coos.
“Of course. My congratulations, King Hoff.” He nods toward me. “Princess Lenore.”
“Many thanks,” my betrothed answers in a tone that teeters on boredom.
“I wonder, would His Highness mind if I stole the princess away for a dance?” Cassius flicks his coppery gaze toward me. My heart rate picks up.
“Not at all.” King Hoff dismisses us with a wave of his hand.
“Princess.” Cassius extends an upturned palm toward me.
Giddiness lights me up like a chandelier. My hand connects with his, heat seeping into my palm. He pulls me up from my seat, guiding me down the steps.
My thoughts turn to Harrow. I seek him out in the crowd but the space where he once stood is now achingly vacant.
My distracted state is my downfall. My foot catches on the second step. I stumble, the ostentatious dress throwing me off-balance. I’m going to fall face-first into the crowd below.
Strong hands catch my waist, hoisting me in the air. The throne room whirls beneath me before I’m gently set on my feet.
“I’ve got you, Princess,” Cassius whispers in my ear. He grins at me. The warmth in that dimpled smile threatens to burn me up, liquifying me like butter on warm bread. I melt for him, blushing like a teenager.
My balance remains precarious.Note to self, wine does not count as dinner.Cassius pulls me in close, whisking me into the crowd with the seamless skillset only someone born into royalty and all the tedious lessons it demands possesses. The heat from his hand can be felt on my lower back even through the many layers confining me.
I’m still aware of the others around us. I hear their hushed murmurs as we waltz past. Tongues loosen as wine flows and the whispers are less guarded than usual. Cassius must hear them too. He pulls me closer, capturing my gaze with his enchanting tawny eyes.
“You look radiant this evening.” He grins, spinning me around before drawing me in close.
“I feel like a puff pastry in all these frills.” I sigh.
He laughs, the boisterous sound bringing a huge smile to my face. “I happen to love puff pastry.”
There’s a lightness to his tone, but the way his eyes sweep down and back makes heat pool in my belly. “You look radiant as well. The fox suits you.”
“Oh?”
“Yes. Foxes are playful, lovely.”
“Don’t forget cunning.” He winks behind the ornate eye hole.
I laugh lightly. “A fox’s strongest quality, of course.”
“Wicked little creatures, truly. Always stealing food from my snares.”
“And you would model yourself after something so wicked?”
“Oh yes, Princess. I’m as wicked as they come. Around you, though, I’m on my best behavior.” Another wink.
“I suppose princes are wicked little things. Spoiled, entitled, prone to fits of rage if they don’t get what they want. And of course there are the women always lusting after them. I think the fox might be insulted.”
