Page 62 of Only in Moonlight
“Yes, my sister is more concerned with protecting those savages than supporting her own people’s interests.”
I lowered my eyes. Any good courtier would get nervous bad-mouthing the queen.
She took her hand off my shoulder and lifted my chin. “Stand proud,” she commanded. “You’re a member of the Moonlit Court. You have every right to use the humans to build your wealth.”
I let my lips part and gazed at her with an amazed expression, feeling disgusted inside.
The dance ended. I swept into a low bow, and she bestowed a shallow curtsy upon me. Everything hung on the next few moments. If I hadn’t caught enough of her interest, she might return to her entourage. But I couldn’t come on too strong, or I’d lose her. Regula liked to pursue men, not the other way around.
“That wasn’t a full dance,” she said. “Surely you don’t intend to leave me so soon.”
“O-Of course not.”
The next dance was more intimate. We didn’t speak, my flirtations depending on subtle movements and deep eye contact. She actually had gorgeous eyes—it didn’t seem right.Clearer and more vivid than any human’s, their sky blue color deepened to a steely ring around the edges. She had long, lovely eyelashes, and her thin eyebrows had been plucked to form dramatic arches. Her perfume settled over me, something expensive and sophisticated. But it had a sharp, metallic undertone that set my teeth on edge.
I twirled her, having to bend my arm awkwardly to avoid her feathered headdress. I moved slightly closer to her upon her return—nothing too scandalous, but enough to signal my attraction to her. The tempo sped up, the music growing louder as emotion infused each note. These musicians were even better than the ones in the courtyard where Valen and I had practiced.
I wished I were dancing with him now.
The dance finally ended, and Regula smirked. “I see your time on Earth hasn’t dulled your dancing skills.”
“You flatter me, Your Highness. It’s much easier with a skilled partner.”
“Now you’re flattering me.”
“It’s not flattery if it’s true.”
“Quite so.”
The music for the next song began. I needed to make a choice.
“If Your Highness tires of dancing, I believe the east balcony offers a private place to rest.”
I didn’t have to hide my nervousness. I let my breath hitch in my throat and didn’t fight the tremor that ran through my body. My persona would be nervous after asking the princess for some time alone. But I had a lot more riding on this than romantic rejection.
Regula gave me a slow, wide smile. “An excellent idea.”
I offered her my arm and escorted her from the ballroom. Some of her entourage tried to follow, including two bodyguards, but she dismissed them with a shooing motion.I didn’t risk looking for Valen but knew he would note our departure.
We walked down an ornate, curving corridor, passing guards who inclined their heads to the princess as we passed. Regula ignored them, and I strove to hide my relief when they didn’t follow us. A few more steps, and we’d rounded enough of a curve that they couldn’t see us anymore. According to the floor plans Valen had shown me, the door to the balcony should be—
Regula grabbed me and slammed me against the wall.
Chapter 32
Emmeline
Shit! She knows! I—
Then she kissed me.
I quickly lowered my fist, heart pounding as I realized she wasn’t attacking me. My brain got stuck for a moment, nothing but “ew, ew, ew” running through my thoughts. Then I recovered, slipped my arms around her waist, and leaned in to the kiss.
If you could call it a kiss. She was just mashing her mouth against mine. Even Philippe had performed better, and I refused to think of Valen’s kisses in relation to hers. It was like comparing curdled milk to the finest cheese. Speaking of curdled milk, her breath stank. Every time I’d run through the heist in my head, I’d hoped to knock her out before we got to this point. Why couldn’t she have waited until we got to the balcony?
She pulled away. I breathed rapidly like passion had overwhelmed me and waited several moments before I let my hands slip from her waist, like I was reluctant to let go. Really, I couldn’t let go soon enough. That had been worse than the time the city guards had caught me, and I’d spent a night in a shit-stained, rat-infested dungeon before escaping. It took every scrap of self-control I possessed to smile at her.
“Did I shock you?” she asked with a smirk.
