Page 92 of Prince of Night and Storm
With the gazes come indiscreet whispers.
The Prince gave her permission to use his name.
The Prince dances with her, touches her, indulges her.
A halfling, but comely enough. She must taste sweet.
Perhaps he thinks to humiliate Faronne by takingher as his leman.
Sly girl. Clever strategy.
“I don't blame her, he's absolutely fuckable. I'd take my chances too.”
That last comment is too close. And too deplorably stupid.
I pull on a trickle of my power and their attention slides away. Another gaze tracks me, impervious to my little Skill. I still don't understand how.
My father stands in a cluster of officials, presumably in pre-negotiation schmoozing as I approach, strides turning into a stalk.
Jules and I played a jump scare video the year Baba came himself to pick us up in New York. He sat on the couch sipping Turkish coffee from a tiny cup as everyone else shrieked or jumped. Baba just smiled at me as if to ask if I was done playing yet.
I blink into sight. The officials jerk but my father excuses himself, unfazed, Numair and Juliette tense but calm at his side.
We retreat down the forest path and halt under a tree. I hope it isn't listening. Juliette's restless gaze travels through the crowd, a sneer on her lips. Numair's expression remains stony as he hovers in silence.
Baba's enigmatic gaze studies my face for several long moments then touches on the Prince, standing a distance away, silent as courtiers grapple for the right to kiss his ass first.
Renaud stares at me, his attentiongaining me enemies.My nails sharpen. My palms itch. He thinks like a spoiled only child who wasn’t punished enough, if ever. I long to correct the oversight.
He smiles.
“What’s hisissue?” Juliette mutters in English—American at that. “Blink, damn you. Blink. You two looked creepy together, by the ever fucking way. Watching you dance in silence for sixty minutes was like watching murder dolls. I had no idea you had that level of creepy in you. Remember Bride of Chucky? It was on par with those feels.”
I stiffen. We hadn’t danced for sixty minutes, certainly not where everyone could see, though it’s nice she confirmed the silence. That was a Prince and I only conversation.
“Everyone watched us?”
She glances at me, blonde brow lifting a little. “My Lady, what would be of greater interest?”
My current grim reality darkens. He can take me away and no one will notice. No wonder he’d been so certain Baba wouldn't send my guards for me—to them I'd been present this entire time.
I tell them and Juliette curses while my father's brow creases. Numair is stone.
“That's just great,” she says. “When we get home, we're going to develop a protocol.”
“Why did he want you alone?” Numair says softly.
I open my mouth, close it.
“Aerinne, did he?—”
“Not here,” I cut him off. “We’ll debrief when we get home.”
Numair shifts closer, blocking Renaud's view of me.
“He hasn't ordered my execution yet,” I say, shifting the conversation. “So far, so good.” My chevalier is on edge and the last thing I need is another male pissing on me.
Indeed,Darkan says in his silky tone.There seems to be asteady surfeit of snakes in this city who piss on what belongs to someone stronger.
