Lily jerked her gaze to him, startled. “Why do you say that?”
“You’re comfortable in that designer dress. I may no’ know brands, but I know couture.” He motioned inside the restaurant with his chin. “See the blonde in the black dress? She keeps rubbing the dress as if she can no’ believe it’s real.”
Lily nodded as she caught sight of the woman. “She’s doing the same thing to the huge engagement ring. Her fiancé must come from money.”
“And she doesna. I’m no’ trying to be crude, just honest. There is a difference between someone like her and someone like you.”
“Did Denae tell you about what happened today?”
“She said you ran into an old friend, but that’s all.”
Lily turned and leaned back against the stone railing of the balcony. “My family does have money. As I told her, I didn’t run away. I’ve just been on my own.”
He closed the distance between them and smoothed down a lock of hair that got caught in the wind. “If you doona wish to tell me, then doona, but I ask that you doona lie.”
“I didn’t exactly lie.” She blew out a breath and looked away. “I didn’t run away from them, nor am I hiding from them. I’ve also been on my own for a bit.”
Her heart missed a beat when Rhys placed a finger on her chin and gently turned her face back to him. “You owe me no explanations. You doona owe anyone anything.”
Their faces were so close that she thought he might kiss her again, but then he took a half step back. It was enough to end her hope of a kiss.
“Are you happy?”
She considered his question. That day was the happiest in a very long time, and she was content in her job. But was she happy? No. She still had so much to cut out of her life for good. She couldn’t be truly happy until Dennis was dead.
Lily thought about Rhys. Was he happy? He seemed more relaxed that night than he had in a long time. There was so much she didn’t know about him, but that always took a backseat to the passion that blazed each time he was near.
“I’ll answer if you will,” she countered.
Rhys gave her another crooked smile that made her melt. “Agreed.”
“I’m getting to a place where I can be happy with every aspect of my life.”
His grin was full of sadness as he said, “I used to be, but I fear I’ll never be again.”
The honesty of his words left her reeling. She suspected something had happened to him. Now she knew for certain. Her heart hurt for the brief glint of misery she saw. It was gone quickly, as if it never was.
Lily was about to ask another question when two couples joined them on the balcony. Rhys’s face darkened with annoyance. She grabbed his hand and pulled him back into the restaurant. He quickly took her arm and led her past their table and out of the restaurant.
Only then did he stop and face her. There was hopefulness in his eyes when he asked, “Shall I leave you for the night? Or shall we continue our conversation?”
As if she needed to think. She took out her room key from her clutch and held it up. “Let’s continue.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Henry was still reeling from Rhi’s kiss, so he was taken aback when she disappeared. He stared at the place she had been and sighed.
“What the hell happened?” Banan asked as he walked up.
Henry was soon surrounded by Dragon Kings. He looked up at Banan and shrugged. “I fucked up.”
“Let’s get inside and discuss this,” Con stated and strode back into the manor.
Henry licked his lips, remembering the softness of Rhi’s mouth. She had helped him, showed him her secret, and kissed him. Why him? Why was someone like her even paying attention to him?
“Doona get attached to her,” Banan warned in a low voice beside him.
Henry frowned. “Why not?”
“No’ only is it no’ a good idea for any human to have sex with a Fae, but Rhi was once involved with a King.”
“Is she still involved with him?”
Banan’s forehead furrowed. “Well … no, no’ exactly.”
“Then it isn’t a problem.”
“Rhi is a friend, Henry, just as you are. There are things you doona know about the Fae. They’re beautiful and sexual. They lure humans.”
“No one lured me,” he pointed out.
They reached the library on the first floor. The door was shut as the last of them filed in. Con motioned for Henry to sit, and since his strength was still returning, he accepted the offer. Banan handed Henry a glass of whisky. Con sat on the other side of the sofa with Henry while the chairs were taken by the remaining Kings.
Con let out a breath slowly. “Henry, you’ve been a friend to us that we never expected. You’ve aided us in multiple ways. All of it you did at the peril of your own life.”
“It’s what I do,” Henry said, watching Con.
Tristan spoke up then. “Which is why we’re grateful.”