Page 27 of A Hunt So Wicked
My head snapped to my father. "Do you mean to tell me that this is going to devolve into some kind of... orgy?"
King Ero laughed deeply. "Not at all." He paused. "Though that would be something, wouldn't it? A party for the history books! But no, I simply mean that everyone will feel relaxed and carefree. It will make conversations easier, meeting each other will be smoother, and any anxieties or doubts will simply flee. There is more to feeling ecstatic than sex. One could argue the highest level of euphoria is being at complete peace with one's mind. That is what's coming.Clarity. I suggest you continue speaking with the other ladies while you can. You'll know soon what you need to do in regards to choosing a wife."
I blinked at the man. I couldn't deny there was something in the air, and he was acting so out of character... Was I, though?
What would I be doing normally at an event like this? At this point in the party?
I'd be lost in the ruffles of skirts and entrapped within the embrace of silky thighs... and right now? I had no desire to do that. Holy shit, it was working.
I smirked at my realization. Clarity.
It was time to find the woman who I'd be proposing to, and for the first time tonight—and even in the months leading up to this—I felt a sense of peace about what was required of me. Of what The Recurrence would bring.
One day, I was going to be King... and every King needs a Queen.
I just needed to find her.
Chapter seven
"IfIdidn'tknowany better, I'd say your brother has an agenda," Evie said, her eyes narrowing as she peered up at me.
"My brother is a prince—we all have agendas," I replied, returning the look.
We moved across the floor, dancing for the second time this evening. "Well, it was awfully convenient how I happened to 'bump' into you while he was escorting me across the ballroom." She wrinkled her nose. "Who even needs to be escorted across a room like that?"
She looked so offended at the thought, and before I could stop it, a laugh slipped out.
"Why is that so funny? It's a room, not a treacherous wooden bridge."
Evie had a point, but the fact of the matter wasn't that simple. "We are taught certain manners and customs from the time we can walk, so you'll have to forgive the fact that some of us have a higher level of... tact."
"Tact?" I spun her away from me, certain that if she were given the chance, she'd surely kick me. Her face came back into view and, oh Goddess, it had turned seven shades of red. "I'll let you know if I see any of this 'tact' you speak of, because as of now, it's been missing."
I laughed. Again. Louder that time. What the Goddess was going on with me?
"Are you drunk?"
I lifted a dark brow. "Are you?"
Evie shrugged. "Maybe. But I've known you all of two hours, and you don't seem much like the laughing jokester type. No offense," she blurted.
"And are you always so blunt and rude?" I fired back.I could have fun. I could laugh.
"Yes," she replied, batting her lashes in an overly dramatic way.
"Well, let me tell you a little secret then, Miss Evie." I pulled her in, close enough that I could easily smell the enticing scent that was… her. Like the forest in the dead of winter with fresh snow covering everything. "So am I."
"Good." Her head turned so she could whisper into my ear. "Then perhaps you've met your match."
Her breath teased my skin and it was as though every hair on my body stood on pointe. Even hair I didn't know I had seemed to be prickling me down my back. A cool sweat broke out across my forehead and I just needed—
"That's what I thought," she teased, triumph in her tone. Triumph that made me want to put her in her place. I wanted the push and pull. She'd be a worthy match, that's for sure. One that would cause me to pound my head against the wall, repeatedly.
The song came to an end, but neither of us moved. I could hear her heart pounding. Like a scared little rabbit, knowing it had but moments to live before being swallowed by a predator. My arm that was wrapped around her, pinning her to me, tightened. The air in her lungs slipped out with a soft gasp.
"My prince," Evie squeaked and tried to lean back. Oh, that wouldn't do at all.
"I can't figure it out," I mumbled against her neck, vaguely realizing I had no recollection of when my lips had connected with her soft skin.
