A Girl in Black and White (Alyria 2)

“I can only imagine why,” he said wryly.

As we reached one of the open archways, the two king’s guards straightened, their gazes focusing straight ahead having seen Maxim.

“What a beautiful night, isn’t it?” I stopped to ask.

Steady’s gaze flicked to Maxim and then me, nodding with a hesitant smile. I believed Maxim was his idea of ‘twice his size.’ Tuko, though, he cleared his throat, a real-life blush tinging his cheeks. It brought a laugh out of me.

“What I would do to see it from a roof . . .” I mused.

Steady’s small smile fell, my voice and my statement clicking into place. Tuko, though, he appeared clueless. “It would be beautiful, my lady.”

They were both walking on eggshells, it seemed, in front of the Untouchable Prince who watched the scene with a stoic expression. I thought I would add one parting word, and then save them from themselves.

“Ah, Gregory—” Tuko’s smile fell and shattered like glass, “you’re much more handsome in your formal wear.” I jerked on the lapel of his jerkin. “Quite dashing.”

I felt both of their eyes follow me into the palace, probably in all kinds of turmoil, wondering if the prince knew I was the ‘Girl in Black’ or whatever nonsense they called me.

“You make men nervous,” Maxim said.

I let out a half laugh. “They were more nervous you were there. You’re the one who could kill them with a touch, not me.”

Women in satin flowing gowns, men in jewel-encrusted jerkins and leather boots, from most different regions filled the palace entrance. The open ballroom showed the dark sky, hundreds of tiny stars blinking in the night.

“Refrain from getting into trouble, or I’ll throw you in my dungeon until the ball’s over,” Maxim said seriously.

“I love it when your charm comes out,” I said, my gaze running over the room, and meeting my mother’s inquisitive stare out of all people. She looked between the prince and me with wide eyes.

I sighed, but turned to ask Maxim, “Say, is your pledged-to-be here?”

“No.” He glanced down at me before saying, “And thank fuck for that,” like because I’d asked, it was a relief she wasn’t.

What a poor girl . . . I thought as Maxim walked off to greet someone who had just entered the room.

I wasn’t sure what you were supposed to do at affairs such as this; but when my eyes ran over a buffet table full of food and wine, that’s exactly where I headed. It was after a moment of searching for something particularly sweet that I found just what I was looking for. Reaching for the strawberry tart, my spine suddenly tingled, a hot awareness rushing from my nape to the back of my thighs.

In a casual way, Weston’s front brushed my back as he reached for something around me.

“Pardon me.” His deep voice was so close to the back of my neck; each word sent a shiver of pleasure coasting down my spine.

I vaguely heard the actual words, because his entire front was pressed against me. The act was completely, deliciously inappropriate. It felt like he’d just slid his hand up my thigh and under my dress instead of only leaning over me.

My skin tingled, my breaths all backward, that my eyes closed briefly until he pulled back and walked away as if he really had only been reaching for something. I just didn’t know what, because I’d been in the land of pent-up frustration and that place virgins go only to come back as whores.

What was his plan now? Seduce me out of town?

Now that I thought about it, I’d never heard Weston say, ‘Pardon me.’ Didn’t even think he could form the words. What was he up to? I let out a breath, turmoil waging against the darkness inside me, and grabbed two sweet tarts.

“Sister.”

An automatic growl sounded in my head at the voice behind me.

“It’s particularly disturbing that you want to pledge with me, yet you call me ‘Sister,’” I replied, turning around and shoving the tart in my mouth. It was a big bite and would annoy Alis; particularly why I did it.

He shrugged. “It’s an endearment, is it not?”

My face puckered in disgust, the tart suddenly tasting like sawdust in my mouth. “Not of the pledged variety.”

“Then I shall call you ‘my pledged’ or ‘my love.’ Does that please you?”