Page 162 of A Sin So Pure

“Sorry, but could I have the next dance?” Benevolence stands there with an impish grin, his hand scratching the back of his neck.

Imogen looks like she wants to refuse, but I reassure her. “It’s okay. Go to Josie.”

Imogen’s soft gaze flits between me and Benevolence before she nods, scurrying over to our friends who stand by the Unseelie doors.

Josie’s smart,staying close to the exits.

My gaze lands on Silas next, who sits in his assigned chair next to Wrath, nursing another glass of liquor. He’s not looking at me though—his glare is trained on Benevolence.

Benevolence clears his throat, brows shooting to the top of his forehead in question.

I sigh, holding back an eye roll as I offer my hands to my cousin.

He pulls me into a waltz, the sprites playing the room into more formal dances.

“Are you having a good night?” Benevolence asks.

This time I don’t hold back my eye roll. “Yes, I loved being the queen’s entertainment for tonight.”

“It was unnerving to see death up close, if I’m honest.” His body shivers against mine.

We spin on light feet, following the couple next to us as we circle the center stage.

“Have you not killed anyone before?” I ask.

“Does indirectly count?”

“If you have to ask, then you already know it doesn’t.”

“So, how will the murdering go, with these things on?” Benevolence wiggles his fingers against the back of my hand, pressing into my gloves.

“Who said I was going to act on your favor tonight?”

“If you don’t, I may have to retract my assumption of you being smart,” he mutters. “If you aren’t, then you should never have come tonight.”

The music comes to a slow end, Benevolence hinging forward at his waist in a formal bow to end our dance. He doesn’t sayanother word before he walks away, leaving me partnerless on the dance floor.

“You are quite the commodity tonight,” the deep voice that haunts my memory calls from behind me.

I turn, unsurprised. He did take his time, though.

“Can you blame them for liking me?”

Patience smiles, and it has the hair standing up on my arms. “I can, though I do understand the allure.”

He holds out a hand. I take it.

My magic giggles under my skin, giddy for its next victim. It quickly passes between me and my gloves, seeping into Patience’s skin.

Satisfaction rolls through me as the tether of my magic take root.

And then, we dance.

“You look very much like your mother,” Patience says after a few steps.

“From what I can remember of her, I’d agree.”

“Though you inherited your father’s dark hair.”

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