Page 94 of Kingmakers, Year Three

“What are you thinking?” I ask him, half-fearful.

“I was thinking how different you look. You’re fucking gorgeous, Cat. The most gorgeous woman I’ve ever seen.”

“Oh, come on—” I’m personally acquainted with several of the actual most gorgeous women at this school.

“You are!” Dean says ferociously. “Cat, you came here a scared kid. And now look at you—I wouldn’t even recognize you. You’re dark. Devious. And absolutely fucking stunning.”

I bite the edge of my lip.

I’m not used to thinking of devious as a compliment. But it’s clear Dean means it that way.

And in truth . . . the qualities I aspire to have indeed changed since I came to Kingmakers.

I’m not trying to be humble or gentle anymore. I don’t believe in “turn the other cheek.”

Maybe I do want to be devious.

Maybe I already am.

I look up at Dean, and he looks down at me. The music spirals down on us, crimson and clover, over and over . . .

I know Dean is twirling me around, but I feel like the room is spinning around us instead, as if we’re the center of the world, the absolute axis.

Dean takes my face in his hands and kisses me.

We’ve kissed a thousand times in sex.

But never once like this, out in the open . . . as two people, falling in love.

17

DEAN

Christmas morning I lie in my bed, thinking of the night before.

I danced with Cat long past midnight.

I held her in my arms, and spun her around, and dipped her, and never took my eyes off that beautiful face.

Cat had never looked more captivating.

That scarlet silk gown clung to her figure, shimmering in the firelight. The pendant rested on her collarbone like a throbbing heart. Her hair lay in sleek shining waves, her eyes looked up at me like burning coals.

She honestly intimidated me.

Cat has changed so much, and I don’t think she’s finished.

I feel like I witnessed the birth of a star, a creature that will burn brighter and brighter until she eclipses us all.

Our agreement is over.

I no longer feel like I own her.

But I still want to.

When the party ended, I walked her back to the Undercroft.

I put my coat around her bare shoulders, because the night was as cold as I’ve ever felt at Kingmakers.

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