Refocused, I threw Caelus a quick smile. “I’m grateful for your apology and explanation. My uncle is… a determined man. I’m not surprised he lied in an attempt to win your favour.” It was the least he would do.
“I feel…” He shook his head. “Well, not as bad as you must’ve. He told me Marwood got wind of the plan and that was why you hadn’t been able to attend. When I saw you with him at the party, my offer was meant to be an olive branch to show I wasn’t trying to tear the two of you apart.”
My head spun at the odd way fae relationships worked. My skin burned too, like it was suddenly aware of the fact he’d seen me riding Bastian’s fingers to mind-shattering climax.
Knees together—you’re not a whore. The words whispered in my mind, my father and my uncle’s voices joined in a grotesque chorus.
I swallowed and managed a bitter little smile. “No need to worry about that—we managed it well enough ourselves.”
He arched an eyebrow. “You’re no longer with him?”
I couldn’t bring myself to speak and instead gave the smallest shake of my head.
“Well, that’s a shame.” The lilt in his voice sounded anything but disappointed.
“I thought fae couldn’t lie?”
“I meant for him.” His smile gentled as he took me in. “And perhaps for you. Though, hopefully not for me.” He angled his head a touch, a question there that I chose not to answer.
Perhaps I should tell him about Robin—scare him off. But Bastian’s warnings to, essentially, not tell anyone anything chimed in my head.
“I always did like that necklace.” It was only when his gaze rested on it that I realised I was pulling on it.
Maybe I could get him to help me find its maker. He might recognise the style and be able to point me in the right direction. If I could get him to ask for me, the Dawn jewellers would be more likely to speak to him. He was clearly still attracted to me, and I wasn’t above using that to my advantage.
Women’s weapons. We had to use what we could.
I gave a half smile, letting my gloved fingertips stroke my collarbone. “And here I thought it was me you liked.”
His sky blue eyes followed the gesture, pupils expanding. “I liked it even before I saw you wearing it.”
I drew in a long breath, barely controlling my reaction. He’d seen it before unCavendish had given it to me. Was he behind the changeling? But, no, if that was the case he’d be more careful about slipping up.
How to poke without being too obvious, though? I stalled by giving him a flirtatious look from beneath my lashes.
“Looking for jewellery?” A man’s voice behind me, smooth and confident.
Caelus’s eyes widened and he took a step back, inclining his head.
When I turned, I understood.
Prince Cyrus, teeth brilliant white, golden hair perfectly tousled around his face, eased into the spot beside me. “But such a pretty lady has no need of further adornment.”
Caelus muttered a brief goodbye, and my heart sank at losing this opportunity to ask about the necklace.
Yet a prince stood before me, so I bowed. “Your Highness.”
“Oh, no, we don’t do that here, Katherine.” He wrinkled his nose. “Perhaps if you were presented to me more formally, but we’re not such sticklers for etiquette as I hear your people are.” He cast his gaze over the jeweller’s window display, eyes half closed. “Doing a spot of shopping?”
“I wanted something new for a ball.” It was easy to shrug and lie—my name didn’t feel like a threat as it had coming from his father. It made sense that he knew who I was, either from the rumours about Bastian arriving with me or from the king.
“Ah, but you’re being humble.” He chuckled. “This isn’t just any ball—you’re the guest of honour.”
Behind the smile, my teeth were gritted. “Her Majesty has paid me a great compliment. I’m sure I don’t deserve it.”
“I’m sure you must’ve done something most impressive.”
Rose gave me a meaningful look. “We have that appointment.”
“Well, I can’t have two such lovely ladies late on my account.” The prince clutched his chest. “You must allow me to walk you to this ‘appointment,’ whatever it is.”
“It isn’t far, you don’t need to—”
“I insist.” For a second his easy smile hardened, but it was gone so quickly, I questioned whether I’d seen it. He gestured along the street, and Rose and I had little chance but to fall in at his side. He ducked a little closer and raised an eyebrow. “After all, it will give me the opportunity to secure a dance with the woman of the hour.”
“A… a dance?” He couldn’t mean—
“At the ball in your honour? Or have you forgotten already? I heard you’d been ill, but I didn’t realise you’d taken a knock to the head.” He chuckled at his own joke, and I forced out a faint laugh.
“I hadn’t realised members of your court would be there.” That had to be why Bastian had seemed so agitated when he’d told me about it—the dangers of mixing with Dawn.
Yet, they would also bring opportunities. Perhaps Caelus would be there, too.
“Oh, yes.” He waved at a man across the street, flashing a charming smile. “Her Majesty has extended an invitation to us. She’s holding it in the shared ballroom. I’m sure you know all about lodestones by now. Will you grace me with a dance, then?”
“I’m…” I couldn’t. Not when touching him would kill him. Fairly sure that went far, far beyond a diplomatic incident and into all out war. “I’m afraid I’m not able to dance at the moment. My illness, you see.”
“Well, that’s a shame. We would’ve looked quite spectacular on the dance floor together.” The way he ran his hand through his hair, preening, told me plenty about how to stay in his good books.
“I’m sure Your Highness will look spectacular on the dance floor with or without me.” I forced out the honeyed words. If he thought me nothing more than a charming human aristocrat, that would keep me safe.
He made a low, approving sound and straightened, giving me a sidelong glance. “Oh, I like you. You can stay around forever if you’re going to compliment me like that.”
Rose cleared her throat. “We’re here.”
We stood outside a glass-fronted shop. In the window stood a gown that threatened to make me keel over as it stole my breath so thoroughly. Its glittering skirts seemed to shift colour as I watched, changing from deep purple-black to darkest blue to blackened gold.
“Hmph. Another waste of time.” The prince leant towards us and put on a playful tone as he went on, “I’d prefer it if you both came in nothing at all. I’m sure everyone would.”
He winked dramatically, and I chuckled. Rose made a similar sound—just as forced as mine.
“Ah, but I must be off. Things to see, people to do.” He laughed like he had an audience, though this was a street dominated by Dusk and most people only glanced at him as they got on with their days. “I look forward to seeing you at the ball, though I’m not sure how I’ll survive until then without your charming company, dearest Rose, loveliest Katherine.” He placed his hand over his heart as he backed away.