Page 78 of A Drop of Anguish
I half expect the pile of random books and papers to be sitting in the middle of the floor like before, but it seems Jarron finally cleaned that up. Or at least hid it elsewhere.
The difference now is the bass-heavy music, pulsing red lights, and bodies everywhere.
And, of course, the prince himself, sitting on his throne.
I swallow as my attention pins to Jarron slumped causally in an armchair like he’s the damn king and we all bow down to him. His eyes are lidded as he considers me. He’s wearing a black button-up with the top several undone and the sleeves rolled.
Again, this is not the Jarron I know, and it has me unnerved. Although, not exactly in a bad way.
Dangerous, maybe, but certainly not bad.
My mouth dries, but I am hyper-aware of all the attention on me, so I do my best to hide the blush creeping up from my neck.
“Wow, he’s hot.”
“Janet!” I exclaim. Her mouth falls open in shock.
I slap my hand over my mouth as a laugh bubbles up in my chest. Amusement shatters my anxiety, and soon my shoulders are shaking along with my uncontrollable laughter.
The absurdity, irony, and shock on Janet’s face all compiled to hysterical laughter, but damn, it feels good. Everyone is watching now, and I could seriously not care less.
Lola zips off my shoulder and hovers in front of us. “What? She’s just saying what we’re all thinking.”
I snort, and then I pull them forward into the crowd that parts for us. Jarron watches as we stroll out onto the patio, where snowflakes flutter around and several people gather around the fire table.
The music fades behind us, and I breathe in deeply to calm myself.
“Oh, it’s kinda chilly out here,” Janet says, shivering.
“But it’shotin there,” Lola jokes.
I let out one final chuckle, and then my laughter finally subsides. I am beyond grateful my friends are here for this. I literally don’t think I could survive it without them.
“Candice!” a smooth voice exclaims.
I blink and find Manuela and her girlfriend standing by the iron railing. Her skin is a shade darker than Janet’s, her hair tied back into a braid. Unlike most of the girls here, she’s in regular—though, expensive—black slacks and a button-up top. To be honest, she may be wearing the exact same thing as Jarron.
Her girlfriend, Lucille, is in a tight pink dress and heels, her shoulders covered by a leather jacket. They make a cute pair, though I still remember what Bea told me about Lucille—she’s got a thing for Jarron.
Maybe that was more lies, fed to me by a girl trying to manipulate me into the Akrasia Games. Or maybe it was real.
And even if it was real, I probably shouldn’t care, right?
“Hey,” I say casually.
“Having a good time already?” Lucille asks. I examine her for evidence of criticism, but her smile is sweet.
“The best.”
“What? Do my eyes deceive me?” a lighthearted male voice says from behind us. “Or have the three most beautiful ladies in school made it to the party?”
I spin to find a handsome wolf shifter approaching with a big grin. I smile at Stassi, but also notice Thompson’s shoulders stiffen.
“Wait, I thought I was the prettiest.” A blond girl sitting in front of the fire croons with a smile.
Stassi winks at her and then turns back to us. “So glad you brought your friends this time. I’ve been dying to meet them.”
Lola settles back on my shoulder and wiggles her wings. “Hello,” she says in her attempt at a sultry tone.
