by Kyle, Celia
If her mother had worn any more jewels, the sparks that flashed off the priceless gems would have leaped off Aquaria and attacked Cora. It was vaguely embarrassing, though she’d grown used to it over the years. Her father, Terrus, was dressed in full selkie regalia, resplendent in the sashes and sigils of his rank.
“Your Highness,” the man next up in the receiving line said, kissing Cora’s hand before she had a chance to return his greeting.
“My lord,” she replied politely, as she’d been trained from birth. “A pleasure you could accept our invitation.”
“There can be no greater pleasure than being in your presence tonight.” The flash in his eyes offered a hidden meaning.
He wasn’t the first—and she doubted he’d be the last—that evening to succumb to her mother’s machinations. None of them really cared what she wanted. Aquaria had given the green light, and that was all any of Cora’s would-be suitors needed.
“Princess.”
Then next man in the receiving line was a silver-haired, dark-eyed man. Lord René L’Aubespine, the eldest, most distinguished fae on the evening’s guest list. Thank Poseidon he didn’t press slobbery lips to her hand or embarrass himself with a pathetic attempt at a ten-second seduction. He merely greeted her politely and inclined his head in a subtle bow. Just far enough for her to get a full view of his full head of gray hair.
“Lord L’Aubespine.”
He wasn’t the highest ranking fae present, but he was the richest and the most powerful. The source of that power was rumored to be less than legal, but rumors had a way of being snuffed out if they irked him.
“Your parents’ representative approached my own with an offer of alliance,” he said bluntly. “Were you consulted?”
Cora stiffened, but didn’t throw her mother the glare she so richly deserved. “I was not,” she said through gritted teeth.
“I didn’t think so.” L’Aubespine glanced at her father. “The terms were not satisfactory, but I assume it was a preliminary offer.”
“Of course,” Prince Terrus said imperiously. “All things are open to negotiation.”
“Indeed. However—” his black eyes pinned her “—I will not accept an unwilling bride. Perhaps we can speak on the dance floor.”
She inclined her head, saying nothing. She wasn’t a fool. She couldn’t afford to offend him and besides… he wasn’t the worst of the bunch her mother had invited to this shindig. If she had to wed a stranger, she preferred a man who was honest. She could never wed a suck-up, no matter how rich.
And that’s exactly who’d lined up to greet her. A bunch of sycophants who wanted to align themselves with royalty. For siren’s sake, Deo had been right. Ugly, stupid, bad breath, there was even one hunchback! Each suitor was worse than the last, to the point they faded to a blur as she did her daughterly duty by greeting them with deference, so she didn’t humiliate her mother. That was the most Cora could offer because a ball thrown for the specific purpose of finding her a mate was certainly humiliating to her.
In the haze of apathy, she barely noticed the next suitor to take her hand, but she sensed tension and anger radiating off her mother like an atomic blast. Focusing on the man standing in front of her, dark eyes full of mischief, she blinked in surprise.
“Deo,” she breathed so quietly she barely heard it.
He lifted her hand to his lips, turning it over to settle a single kiss in the middle of her palm. “Your Highness.”
Her skin lit on fire, the brand of his touch traveling up through her arm and spreading like wildfire. She said nothing, waiting until she was sure she could control her voice.
“Are you enjoying your evening so far, Princess?” Deo asked, the mischief moving to his lips.
Cora caught herself before she laughed out loud—that wouldn’t be seemly—but she paid him with a grin. “About as much as you might expect.”
Aquaria choked and indignation emanated from her father in waves. Neither of them would make a scene, and Deo knew it. Not when they were both so terribly well-bred and surrounded by the hoity toity people they considered friends.
“I’m glad to see you received your invitation, Mr. Nicolaides. I’ve heard some mysteriously went missing.” Her mother sniffed, which was nearly drowned out by the sound of her jaw cracking as she ground her teeth to nubs.
Deo grinned back. “I’d heard the same, Your Highness. Someone might want to solve that mystery.”
Oh, how Deo loved to mock her parents’ elitism. All the stress that had settled in her neck and shoulders melted away as they smiled at each other. Thank the gods there would be a friendly face at this gala, though Cora was certain her mother would think she was part of the plot to ruin the evening. The woman in question cleared her throat very loudly and very pointedly, not-so-subtly telling them to get a move on.
“Do enjoy the festivities,” Cora said, pulling her hand away, for the first time wondering what the hell he was even doing there. She’d told him to let it go, to let her go. But had he listened? Not Deo.
The moment his skin fell away from hers, a cold sense of loneliness chased away the heat from his kiss. He nodded, but his gaze held hers for a second longer. She tried to send him a warning to behave, but she wasn’t holding her breath.
Probably didn’t matter anyway. As soon as she was out of earshot, her parents would probably call security to kick him out. Of course, knowing Deo, he’d spend the entire evening making a game of evading the guards. At least one of them would have a good time.
Deo melted into the crowd, leaving her to resume playing nice with the long line of males eager to claim her for themselves. But with each passing bow and hand kiss, Cora couldn’t help noticing that every last one left her cold as the sea itself. Not a spark, not a flicker of interest as they took her hand and offered veiled compliments and seductive looks. Nothing stirred her body or her heart, not like Deo.
Cora silently cursed him. How was she supposed to find a mate when she couldn’t even force herself to be interested in any of the available options? It seemed Deo had ruined her for other men, and they hadn’t even slept together! Now he wouldn’t leave her alone long enough to carve out some sliver of happiness from this miserable life.
“Are you ready, dearest?” her father asked, jerking her from her daze.
The line of men was gone, and all the guests were in the ballroom. While her parents would enter together, she would walk in alone. That was the hard fate of a woman who wasn’t betrothed and didn’t have a male relative to escort her.
“Sure, whatever,” she released a resigned sigh.
Guards in dress livery flanked the open double doors leading to the ballroom. The small orchestra her mother had hired played quietly, offering background music so guests could chat easily while they waited for the lady of the hour. As they approached, Aquaria glanced back at her daughter.
“Oh, by the way, Coralia. We promised Lord L’Aubespine he’d have the first dance with you.”
Because, of course. Hook her up with an old man who may or may not think himself above the law. Perfect.
Cora stood outside, fidgeting and seriously considering making a run for it, as her parents entered to applause. No doubt Mr. Fancypants—or maybe Mr. Fancybreeches was more suitable, considering his age—waited for her just inside the doors, ready to whisk her away and spin her around the dance floor. She made a mental note to take it easy on the guy. Her mother would kill her if he tripped and broke a hip!
Taking a deep breath to calm her frayed nerves, Cora waited for the applause to die down before following her parents. She’d attended so many of these matchmaking galas over the years that she knew her role to a T. Only when the ballroom had fallen eerily silent did she step out from behind the wall and enter the room.
The bright lights blinded her and the rapturous applause that greeted her sent her reeling backward for a second. Strong hands grasped her shoulders to steady her. She looked up expecting Lord L’Aubespine to be looming over
her only to find Deo looking at her with concern.
“You okay?” he whispered.
“Yeah,” she whispered back, finding her footing.
He released his hold on her—dammit!—and bowed low. “Your Highness, will you honor me with the first dance?”
Aquaria stormed up, a fake smile splitting her face in two. “Where’s Lord L’Aubespine?” she hissed at Deo.
Deo flash a cocky smile at Cora’s mother. “Oh, René? He sends his regrets, but he needed to go brush his dentures.”
Aquaria gasped and looked to Terrus for help while Cora tried not to burst out laughing. Glancing around the room, she spotted Lord L’Aubespine cowering in a corner, fear-filled eyes trying hard not to look directly at the powerful vampire who took his place.
As funny as the joke was, all of Deo’s nonsense had to stop. She needed it to stop. But it wasn’t like she could give him a dressing down in front of the whole world, especially since all eyes were on them. The only place they’d have the privacy and time for such a conversation would be on the dance floor. Before her parents could finally call security, Cora inclined her head regally toward Deo.
“Thank you, Mr. Nicolaides. I accept.”
He extended his hand toward her, never letting her attention waver from him. Slipping her fingers into his hand felt like coming home. Giving herself a mental slap, she worked hard to erect a wall around her heart.
The sea of guests parted, melting back to give them room, as they walked onto the dance floor. Murmurs and curious gazes followed them, not to mention scowls from the suitors who’d spared no expense for a chance to woo her. Once they reached the center of the room, Deo tugged her into his arms and smiled down at her.
Gods, what that smile did to her insides!
The music started and Deo swept her around the room, making her head spin. Just like the night they met.
Chapter Six
Deo felt like he’d died and gone to heaven with Cora in his arms, the voluptuous warmth of her body a living flame. He drew her as close as the waltz and propriety would permit. He didn’t normally give a damn about propriety, but he wouldn’t do anything to embarrass her in public. Not intentionally anyway.
The first few seconds of the dance were bliss, both tuning out the rest of the world and focusing only on each other. Only when other couples started to drift onto the dance floor did reality intrude on their moment.
“That was some stunt you pulled,” Cora tried to look stern even though she was clearly as breathless as him.
He gave her his most roguish grin. “I have no idea what you’re referring to, Princess.”
He delighted in watching her try not to laugh, even as her eyes cut over to Lord L’Aubespine, still huddled in the corner, fearful eyes tracking Deo’s every move.
“Did you threaten him or something?”
Deo pulled a shocked expression. “Moi? No, not at all. René and I are old buddies is all. He owed me a… favor and was happy to repay me by allowing me the honor of having your first dance.”
And hopefully only dance, but he didn’t dare say that. Not yet. Not when she looked on the verge of either kissing him or killing him. He knew which he preferred, and he was going to do everything in his power to get it. Including not pissing her off any more than he already had.
Skillfully whisking her in and around and past more clunky couples, Deo guided her to the opposite side of the room from the prying eyes of her parents.
“Deo,” she said, a hint of sadness in her sigh. “This really needs to stop.”
He pulled her close enough he could whisper in her ear. “What if I don’t want to stop?”
He smelled the blood pulsing fast against her throat, saliva pooling in his mouth at the thought of tasting her. The fine hairs on her neck stood on end and he knew she wanted him as much as he wanted her. Yet she continued to fight their attraction.
“But I need you to stop. Don’t you get it? Do I really need to explain it to you again?”
His heart sank. “No, you don’t.”
Anger mixed with pain flared in her eyes. “I think you do. I think you need to hear, one last time, why this can’t happen. You’re my best friend, Deo. My favorite person in the world. If we tried to… you know… and I lost you… I…”
She choked on the words, but he understood her meaning. The thought of not seeing Cora every day, not hearing her laugh, never being near her again nearly tore him in two, right there on the dance floor. He couldn’t stay away from her if he tried—and he had—but the least he could do was pretend he understood. For her sake.
“Shh, it’s okay,” he said, pulling her stiff body into an embrace that would surely get tongues wagging, but he didn’t care. She needed comforting and he’d be the one to give it to her, even if it broke his heart. “I understand, and I’m sorry. I would rather cut off all four limbs than cause you any pain, Cora.”
She remained tense for a moment but then relaxed and rested her head on his shoulder. “Thank you.”
Deo nearly cried at the relief in her voice. The worst part was that he couldn’t blame her. Pain clawed at his heart when he thought about living an eternal life without her, but if he ever did find his beloved, as she so feared, that’s exactly what she’d feel. He couldn’t blame her for refusing him, as much as he hated it.
“The least I can do is help you find the right guy, though. Don’t you think?”
She pulled back and stared up at him, searching his face for any hint of deception or trickery. It took everything he had to remain passive because the very thought of helping her find someone else to touch her, to love her…
He couldn’t meet her gaze any longer, so he scanned the crowd of prospective mates hovering around the edge of the dance floor, waiting for him to give them a chance at her fair hand.
“Now to find someone worthy of you,” he mused, pretending any such man existed. Besides him, of course.
“My parents seem keen on Lord L’Aubespine,” she said, looking over his shoulder toward the old man simpering in a corner.
As if.
He spun her around so her back was to René. “He’s okay, I suppose, if you don’t mind gangsters who play fast and loose with our laws. At least he’s solvent, and I’m confident he won’t spend the rest of your lives together kissing your mother’s ass.”
Cora’s shoulders shook with a silent chuckle. “That’s probably the most I could ask for in a mate.”
Deo pressed his lips together tightly and continued scanning the crowd.
“Hmm, Brodie Sinclair is pretty handsome,” Cora said, her eyes glued to the wolf shifter leaning against a column as he watched the goings-on with bemused apathy.
“True,” Deo said, spinning her away from the man. “He’s the alpha of his pack, which might satisfy your mother, but I hear he was just rejected by a witch in favor of a vampire so know he’ll come with baggage.”
“Ugh.”
He nodded at a warlock practically salivating in Cora’s general direction. “That’s Garian Michel. Rumor has it that he and his boyfriend plan on marrying a woman of means so they can build their dream palace. They both have titles, which Aquaria would like, but no money of their own.”
“Ew, that’s creepy.”
“What about Lothsfur Barbeau over there?” He nodded toward a sulking selkie sitting at a table. “I’m sure you could overlook the fact he’s sired three children by his mistress.”
Cora gasped and tried to peek at the selkie in question. “Why doesn’t he marry her?”
Deo shrugged. “His father is almost as obsessed with bloodlines and status as Aquaria. Her great-grandmother was human, so apparently that makes her an unacceptable match, but by all accounts, they’re desperately in love.”
Cora’s fingers gripped his hand a little tighter at the revelation, and Deo prayed it was because she saw the similarities in their situations.
“Of course, you could always pick Emerisyn Wallfellow, Lord of All He Surveys. From
what I hear, he takes great delight in making his staff—all female, by the way—sign lifetime non-disclosure agreements enforced by spells and then abusing them endlessly.”
“What? How does he get away with that?”
“The spells. Even when the women leave his employ, the spell prevents them from testifying.”
Cora shivered in his arms but he somehow managed to refrain from pulling her closer.
“Damn, my parents really scraped the bottom of the barrel. Didn’t they?”
More than anything, Deo wanted to agree, to shout at the top of his lungs that none of them were good enough for her, but he didn’t want to press his luck. He’d bite his tongue clean off for the chance to hold her for another minute.
“Good thing I’m not planning on choosing any of them,” she said. “Tonight’s circus is about placating Mother. Again.”
Deo had never heard sweeter words in his life.
“Damn, they’re like predators circling their prey,” she murmured with a shudder.
Sure enough, half a dozen suitors seemed to be trying to find the nerve to cut in. Daring move, considering Deo could take all of their heads off before any of them knew what was happening. One younger male approached, hope sparking in his eyes. A simple baring of Deo’s fangs sent the kid running.
“Hey, I have an idea,” he said, whirling her to a corner of the room that had fewer vultures hanging around. “Why don’t we pretend we’ve been struck by the beloved bug?”
She frowned at him. “What? Deo, that’s crazy.”
“Hear me out. If people think we’re fated for each other, they’ll leave you alone. At least until they realize the truth. If we play it right, that’ll take a few days. At least it’ll give you some breathing room tonight.”
Her wariness was palpable. And understandable. He needed to sell it better.
“Plus, it’ll piss of your mother.”
Her blue eyes sparkled at that. “I dunno, Deo. We’ve known each other forever. No one would buy it.”
“Fated mates aren’t always strangers, Cora. Everyone knows that. And you clearly don’t know this about me, but I’m a fantastic actor.”
