Page 90 of Hateful Prince

“Like ball gowns and black ties?”

“And dates and dancing,” she confirmed with relish.

“I don’t have a ball gown. Did you come here with a ball gown? No one said there would be fucking ball gowns.”

I was panicked. Fully freaked. Not about who would be on my arm, I’d deal with that later, but if you said to me, we’re gonna send you to rehab for what happened at your last black-tie event and need you to have a designer dress option in your suitcase, I would’ve laughed in your face. Talk about absurd. Not to mention a fucking trigger. Like, what the actual fuck, Lizzie? You couldn’t give a bitch a heads-up? I was just with you.

“You should probably breathe, Dahlia. You’re turning purple.”

“Why is it every time you talk to me you deliver bad news?”

Sorcha chuckled. “You’re such a charmer. I love the way you compliment me.”

She swanned off with her hips swaying, and all I could do was watch her go. I didn’t have a gown; I didn’t have anything close. Was there even time for me to send off for one? I’d have to call Kiki. She’d know what to do.

Which I guess left the question of which guy was supposed to be my date. Apparently later meant in ten minutes. Everyone was just starting to get along. How the hell was I supposed to navigate this? Cas was two crumpets short of a tea party, Hades had a literal god complex, Tor could barely stand to see anyone touching me without wanting to break them in half, and Kai... I guess he’d tolerate it, but how much more was my poor dragon going to have to tolerate for my sake? He deserved better. They all did.

Fuck. I was the worst. Why did they like me? I wouldn’t if I were them.

Kiki’s voice echoed in my mind, Don’t talk like that about my friend.

I stared down at my still completely full plate with a sad sigh. What a waste of a good potato mountain.

“What’s gone and positioned that storm cloud over your head, lass?” Kai’s voice smoothed over me like a warm blanket, and I instantly felt a little better.

“Did you know there is a fucking black-tie gala happening in a few days?” Did my voice have a hysterical edge? Shut up. Stop telling me how to live. “And that I need a dress? And to pick someone to accompany me? And... oh fuck, there’s probably dancing. I can’t dance.” I blinked up at him with tear-filled eyes. “I’ve never been to a dance, Kai. I grew up in a cult. Then I went to foster care and tested out of school as soon as I was legally able. I can’t do this. Everyone will laugh at me. I don’t want to be the joke of the party anymore.”

Kai’s big hand rested on my forearm. “Shh, my sweet treasure. I’ll accompany you. It would be my honor. And as far as a dress, you’d look beautiful in a flour sack.”

“Liar. I wouldn’t fit in a flour sack.”

“Not my point.”

I dropped my head into my hands and let out a hearty harrumph. “You don’t get it. You look perfect in anything. And even if you didn’t, no one would dare to laugh at you because you can flambé them.”

“I could. You’re right.”

Staring at my plate of food, I gave a little sniffle. “And I was so hungry. But now I don’t have an appetite because I’m too stressed to eat.”

Kai’s eyes traveled over to my plate. “Is that a little mountain, complete with broccoli trees?”

“Yes.”

“I’m impressed.”

“Thank you.”

“It would be a shame for it to go to waste.”

“I know.”

He smirked and grabbed a broccoli before scooping up some potatoes with the crown and offering it to me.

“Are you really feeding me?”

“Aye, lass. Eat your veg.”

I opened my mouth because how could I not? The gesture was sweet as all hell.

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