Chapter 14

E mber jerked her hand away from Lissa, the small bones in her wrist tender. The water sprite was taller than Ember and she took advantage of her height, looming over Ember in a threatening manner. Far from feeling threatened, Ember felt cross. She'd put up with enough of that from Bruno and look where he was now. She straightened her back, lifted her chin.

"I'm going to bed," she said, and, because her wrist still hurt where Lissa had grabbed her, cast a glance toward Cole, letting a slow smile crease her lips. With Cole was the unspoken taunt.

Lissa took the bait, snapping, "Keep your filthy human hands to yourself. Cole and I are …"

"Are what?" Ember said. "He told me you two were just having fun."

On anyone else, a red angry flush would have made them appear uncomfortably hot, but on Lissa, the faint flush colouring her cheeks looked enchanting.

"Cole will need someone by his side when he rules, and that someone is me. We have an understanding."

Her eyes shone with conviction, her proud head held high, and a wave of shame came over Ember. What was she doing, being unkind to a woman, a sprite, whatever, who was in love?

"You needn't worry about me," Ember said. Lissa gave a growl deep in her throat and Ember realised she'd sounded as if Lissa definitely had something to worry about. She hastened to explain, "I won't be here long. Once the tournament is done, I'll be gone too."

"Just stay out of his way," Lissa said, slowly and deliberately, as though Ember was a small child who could only understand small words.

"And how am I supposed to do that?" Ember said, exasperated. "It's his castle. I can't go anywhere else. Even the clothes I'm wearing are his. I can't refuse him."

Lissa's eyes flickered over the necklace Ember wore. "No. You can't. But I don't have to like it."

She slid off into the crowd and Ember, sorely tempted to throw up her hands in disgust, stomped off toward the door with Lily in tow.

But before she'd made it five strides, Broude stopped her. He made her a courteous bow and held his hand out to her to dance. She hesitated a moment and then smiled in acquiescence. After all, how often would she have a chance to dance with a real-life fairy? With an apologetic shrug to Lily, she took his hand.

She didn't know the steps, but it was a whirling, haphazard dance that had Broude twirling her under the canopy of his wings, her feet skipping, one way and then the other, until she was giddy and breathless. Every now and then, he would spread his wings and lift her gently off the floor. The first time he'd done it, she clung to him in fright, not knowing how high he was going to go and wondering if he had a strong enough grip to prevent her falling, but she soon got used to it, enjoying the feeling of weightlessness in his strong arms.

When the music finally died, she gave him a bright, pleased smile, thanking him and he bowed again, formally, and left her.

She was looking around for Lily, when a hand slid around her waist and gathered her in - Cole, with an irresistible twinkle in his eye. "I saw you dancing. I'm glad you're enjoying yourself."

At once, the energetic music slowed, the beat becoming slow and seductive, the melody romantic and sweet. Ember gave him a suspicious look, and he laughed, one hand taking hers and placing it on his shoulder in a classic waltz position. "Come now, you can't deny that you're just a little weary after dancing with Broude. He's an athlete. He expects everyone to keep pace with him."

"Well," admitted Ember, "He was fairly … energetic."

Cole smiled at her, drawing her close. "Sometimes one has to read the situation and then act accordingly." His breath tickled her ear, and she drew in a deep breath, not wanting her body to betray her with those telltale shivers, but there they were, coursing through her veins, making her blood thrum. For an instant, she closed her eyes, feeling the heat between their bodies, but when she opened her eyes again, she saw Lissa glaring at her from the other side of the room.

Ember gave herself a mental shake and pushed back from Cole a little. "I think you're holding me a little close," she said, and Cole's eyes darkened.

"So?"

"So, I don't think it's such a good idea."

"Why?"

Good question. "Because … because I'm a human and I don't belong here, and everyone knows it. And because I don't want to upset anyone."

She'd become accustomed to Cole's easy-going manner, and she didn't expect his cold response. "You needn't worry about upsetting anyone else. Your concern should be with upsetting me . I am the prince. I am your prince." His eyes had become feral, the hand on her waist a block of iron. She drew back, alarmed. He looked as though he was about to snarl at her, his teeth sharp enough to rip her throat out.

"I'm sorry," she stammered. "I didn't mean to offend you. I just don't want to cause any trouble."

As if the sun had come out from behind a cloud, the shadow lifted from Cole's face, his features back to their usual charming state, his manner debonair and courteous. "You're no trouble. No trouble at all."

His ill temper had been so fleeting she wondered if she had imagined it, and after a moment's hesitation, she came to him again. As they dipped and twirled around the room, Ember became conscious that others were watching, and this time, they weren't muttering behind their hands and side-eyeing her. They were watching with approval, with envy, with fascination. Under their gaze, and in the arms of the most handsome, most desirable fae in the room, she felt beautiful, dazzling. She couldn't help a pleased smile curve her lips, couldn't help the inviting sway of her hips. She couldn't see Lissa anywhere anymore, and she was glad for that. But there was also a disquiet within her too, as she obediently followed Cole's lead. Like a doll, she realised. Like a toy brought out to play.

The music ended, and she gave Cole a curtsey as he claimed the back of her hand in a kiss. When he turned away to talk to someone else, she seized the moment and took off in the other direction, pushing through the crowd, not wanting to even find Lily in case someone waylaid her again.

"I can ask for a guide," she thought as she slipped into the hallway. "The light will help me back to my room."

She darted into an alcove, hands folded together in a classic prayer position as she wished fervently for a guide, when she heard a voice.

"Are you lost?"

She opened her eyes, wondering if the glowing ball of light had perhaps become articulate, and then she gasped, her hand flying to her mouth in surprise.

Ashe.