Chapter 8

CHAPTER EIGHT

LILLY

Judging from Slíbhín’s insistence on shoving me into formal wear and a full face of makeup, this next meeting the High Lord has set up must be an important one. He’s never asked her to go through all this trouble for any of the others. That was fast , I think to myself as Slíbhín finishes. It’s only been a day since our little ‘encounter’ in the small library. I shift in my chair, trying to tell myself it’s the fabric that’s making me uncomfortable and not memories of the press of him against me.

Any news?

I text to Inara. She’s been trying to get close to Garrick’s Deputy, which turned out to be his younger brother. High Lords are almost exclusively the only child of their parents, though few start out that way. The fact they were both still breathing is… strange. Either Garrick has unbelievable trust in this Felix character, or there is something else going on.

“All done,” Slíbhín exclaims, stepping back from my chair with a beaming smile. I stand and make my way over to the mirror, and my heart races at the beauty staring back at me. Stuffy or not, this gown is breathtaking. A bright blue satin clings to my curves, accentuating everything. The neckline plunges low, nearly to my belly button, in a skinny ‘V’ that shows off my lightly freckled skin. She’s curled my hair again, leaving it down to cascade over my shoulders and down my back.

“Am I going to a red carpet event?” I ask, running a hand gently down the fabric. She smiles, her skin wrinkling around her eyes with the action.

“You’ll be meeting with Lord Manning, Duke of New York.”

“Oh,” I say, my mouth caught in the shape. All the things I’ve heard about him usually started and ended with how fine he is, with a few details sprinkled in between. My phone beeps, pulling my attention away from the mirror. I snag it off the vanity to see Inara has finally replied.

Aside from Felix knowing his way around a bed… no. But I’ll keep trying

she sends, ending the text with a winking emoji. I laugh and tuck the device into the clutch bag Slíbhín hands me. “I guess I’m ready then,” I say, gesturing for her to lead the way.

It doesn’t take long before I’m being ushered before a man that is every bit as gorgeous as I’ve been told. His short blonde hair is in a casual, wind-blown style, and he wears the bluest eyes I think I’ve ever seen. He’s well dressed, not a single thing out of place, and… clean might be the right word. He’s simply beautiful, and built like any Fae warrior would be. Something makes me feel like a weapon wouldn’t look right in his hands for some reason, though.

“You must be Lady Adair.”

I nod. “Lilly is fine.”

“And please, call me Jason,” He says with a dip of his head as he pulls a chair out for me. The little dinner table is dressed nicely with a single red rose in the center and lit candles. It’s small. Intimate.

I can’t stop smiling as we both sit and start into the best date I think I’ve ever been on.