Scarlett stepped slowly toward her. She didn’t have much of a choice. As she walked, she straightened out her dress. When she reached Kassandra, she curtsied to her and then to the king, who didn’t even blink. What was wrong with him?
“For whatever reason, you’ve been blessed with misery that helps my son.”
Scarlett just stared at her. Did she expect her to respond to that with you’re welcome that I’m miserable?
Kassandra flicked her index finger. “Come closer.”
Scarlett leaned in, a mere foot from Kassandra’s face. The queen’s smooth skin was flawless, with not a single blemish. Scarlett was sure there were many aging women in the human world that would kill for such perfection.
Kassandra’s eyes started at Scarlett’s hair and worked their way down to her chest, which, at the angle she was bent, was exposed to the cool air. “You’re attractive—for a human. Most are hideous. And so desperate. The things they’ll let you do to escape their emotions. Death, heartbreak, disease. Humans run.”
“You can heal disease?”
“Of course not. But we can take away the fear of dying. Fear is one of the best flavors of emotion if you ask me.”
Scarlett stood there awkwardly, not sure what to do or say.
Kassandra sighed. “You are lucky my son has given you his attention. To be a prince’s human is something many mortals would kill for. Now leave.”
She didn’t have to tell Scarlett twice. Kassandra gave her the creeps. Scarlett went back to standing alone as she waited for The Hunt to end. Another hour passed. Her feet ached. How long did it take to shoot a boar?
A servant brought Kassandra another plate of fruit, but she stumbled and dropped the plate. As Scarlett watched her rush to pick up everything she had spilled, someone appeared next to Scarlett, grabbed her hand, and Scarlett felt herself pulled away.
Her body felt like a feather moving through the wind, unable to control her direction. Then her feet found the ground. Nausea grew in her stomach. What had happened?
“Just breathe, the nausea goes away,” Kaelem said next to her as he released her hand. Like at the ball, he wore a sleek suit. If his hair wasn’t navy, Scarlett may have thought he was a Wall Street broker or some other human professional. Or more like a model pretending to be one.
Scarlett looked around. They weren’t near the crowd anymore. Somehow, they’d travelled to the courtyard. “What was that?”
“Evanescing.”
“Sorry, what?”
“Moving from one place to another incredibly fast.”
Scarlett took a step. The ground felt hard beneath her feet, like after getting off a treadmill. After a few more, she walked normally. “Where are we?”
“The other side of the castle.”
“Why?”
“Your feet were hurting.” Kaelem motioned to a small fountain. “Have a seat.”
“And what do you care? Surely a fae king has better things to do than rescue some human.”
Kaelem shrugged as he sat on the fountain ledge. “Are you going to join?”
Scarlett glared at him. Why she was mad, she wasn’t sure. Ever since she made that bargain with Raith, she’d been in a foul mood anytime she remembered. She wasn’t sure why she cared so much. It’s not like she’d been begging Cade to let her leave, but she felt better knowing she could ask him to take her away. Then again, deep down, she knew he wouldn’t take her home without a fight. He’d make her feel all the pain at once until she begged him to take it away, thoughts of leaving disappeared.
“God, these brothers really have you bothered, don’t they?” Kaelem ran his fingers through the fountain water. “And you’ve kissed them both. How scandalous!”
“Get out of my head.” Scarlett gritted her teeth as she spoke, trying not to think any more incriminating thoughts. If Cade found out about her bargain with Raith, or worse, the kiss… Scarlett didn’t want to even contemplate what might happen.
“Come, sit, and I’ll get out,” Kaelem said. “For now, at least.”
Scarlett dragged her feet but took a seat next to him. “Do you have some secret plan to drown me in the fountain?”
Kaelem laughed. “You’re so paranoid. No, darling, I have no intention of drowning you. I’d have both summer princes after me then.”
Scarlett rolled her eyes. “A human death would be nothing more than a hiccup to them.”
“Maybe, but they seem awfully attached to you.”
Scarlett crossed her right leg over her left. She’d rather sprawl out on the grass but that didn’t seem very ladylike and wasn’t practical in her dress. “Is that why you’re so interested in me? You want to piss them off?”
“My, my. Why would I ever want to do that?” The gleam in his eyes told Scarlett he’d have no problem making waves with Raith or Cade. She looked deeper into his eyes then her gaze travelled to his lips. God they looked delicious, like caramel on an apple just waiting to be licked.
Stop, Scarlett.
Head out of the gutter.
What was it about him?
He didn’t react to her dirty thoughts so he must actually be out of her head now. Shocker. Scarlett didn’t think he’d actually keep his word. “Then why bring me here?”
“Summer fae bore me, and The Hunt was taking forever, so I figured I’d get us out of there. You looked to be having a more miserable time than I was.”
“You must have been bored if you’re wanting to spend time with a mortal.”
Kaelem just shrugged. “What brings you to the Summer Court? You don’t seem the typical desperate human that they usually lure in.”
The image of her mom being carted away by the paramedics surfaced. Her chest clenched. Then the tightness slowly disappeared.
“You’re taking my pain, aren’t you?” Scarlett asked.
He didn’t answer. “So, something bad happened and you’re running away?”
“I’m not running…” But that’s exactly what she was doing. She and Ashleigh fought after yet another failed attempt at visiting her mom’s grave, and suddenly a miracle showed up to take her away—to an entirely new realm, nonetheless. “So what if I am?”
Kaelem stood. “No judgment here, darling. Only mere curiosity. I have a habit of learning the nuances of the other courts. Keeps me up-to-date should information ever be needed.”
Scarlett got lost in his eyes again. Then her eyes wandered down past his face, to his chest, then lower…
What was wrong with her? Being around him might be dangerous. Scarlett pushed herself up from the fountain ledge.
“Finding yourself…enticed?” Kaelem said.
“I thought you were staying out of my head.” Scarlett lifted her gaze back to his face.
His eyebrow arched, curious. Something gleamed in his gaze, an awareness of some sort.
“Oh, I am. But you’re practically drooling.” The smirk on his face let Scarlett know he knew something he wasn’t telling her.
“Is there a reason I’m having… improper thoughts?” Scarlett clenched her teeth, embarrassed at the confession.
“Since you asked nicely, I’m a ganacanagh.” Kaelem’s eyes danced. “A fae with especially potent sex appeal.”
Lovely. At least it explained Scarlett’s foul thoughts. Not that Kaelem wasn’t attractive enough to warrant lust without any extra gift—he was a fae after all. And a king. Seriously, what was with all these fae royals giving their attention to Scarlett? She was a mortal. Only, she knew that might not be true.
Not only had she felt emotion radiating off of others—including Cade—but she’d always wondered if something was different about her. Not to mention the dagger orb had lit up in her hands. For her to have intrigued three fae royals, she must have something to offer that other mortals didn’t.
Then again, she might just be a silly prize they all were desperate to win.
“Too bad you’ve already promised to stay here in the Summer Court,” Kaelem said. “I could have helped you out of here.”
Sure, now that Scarlett couldn’t leave he offered his help. Typical. “I thought you were afraid of starting a battle with the Summer princes.”
Kaelem shrugged. “A little drama never killed anybody.”
He leaned his body into hers, his breath hot in her face. His lips puckered ever-so-slightly. A mouth so perfect needed to be kissed…