Page 80 of House of Ydril

“You know what?” I say, shaking my head and smiling as I recognize the song that’s coming on. “I actually think I’ll take your advice and not think about all that stuff, at least for one day.”

“Fair enough,” he says as he leans forward to take a sip of his drink.

I down the rest of my vodka as I let the music wash over me. But then my eyes land on yet another girl glancing at the prince sitting next to me as she walks past. Before I can stop it, a laugh escapes my lips.

When I turn to him, he’s looking at me with his eyebrows raised.

“That was, like,” I start, realizing that my speech is becoming a bit slurred, “the fifth girl that’s done the slow motion past our table just so she could leer at you.”

“It might surprise you,” he snaps at me a little, leaning forward to rest his forearms on his thighs, “but there’s quite a lot of women who find me attractive.”

An image pops into my mind, of Nuala blushing as she looks at him. Oh my fucking god. My friend is one of those people. She’s in love with Faust.

He’s staring at me, waiting for my reaction. “Surprise me?” I reply with a strained laugh, the alcohol making me say things I’dneversay otherwise. “You’re a hot, strong prince. You’re basically a fantasy come to life.”

His eyes are burning holes in mine. There’s an urgency in his voice when he leans even closer to whisper, “Just not yours.”

For a second, I just look at him. A part of me wants to tell him all about the huge crush I had on him back when I was in high school, when my life was so miserable, I desperately fantasized about someone rescuing me from it. But now I know it wasn’t just me. It was Nuala as well.

My lips curl into a joyless smile. “That’s the thing with fantasies,” I say as I start getting up. “They distract you from actually living your life.”

For a second, he doesn’t say anything. He looks a bit stunned. And I’m already turning on my heel when he demands, “Where’re you going?”

“Bathroom,” I reply, frowning a little. “Do I have your permission, Your Majesty?”

He rolls his eyes at me and I walk away, excited about the opportunity to snoop around a little. And while my initial intention is to come straight back, on my way out of the bathroom, a ridiculously tall shifter blocks my way. He’s standing next to the jukebox, smiling and holding out a coin for me. “Play something for me,” he says.

I let out a squeal, grab the coin out of his hand and put on my favorite song in the whole wide world.

The next thing I know, I’m dancing with the guy as he tells me all about his latest pack and their squabbles. I’m having a great time, except for one thing. I’m afraid that when I get back, I’ll find the prince in the arms of one of the girls that have been eyeing him since we first walked into this place.

But that never happens, simply because he findsmefirst. Still dancing with the shifter, I sense a presence behind my back and I turn around to see him scowling at me.

Before I can do or say anything, he appears by my dancing partner’s side, making him instantly pull away from me and freeze in place. Faust leans to snarl in his ear, “Leave, now.”

The shifter doesn’t let him repeat himself. He throws me a scared glance and leaves the two of us alone.

“What the hell is wrong with you?” I hiss at him, my hands balled into fists.

He doesn’t even look at me. “I’m taking you home, Longborn.” With that, he grabs me by the arm, opens a door that I haven’t even noticed and pushes me out into the cold night air.

“Let go of me,” I yell as I try to break his grip.

I fail miserably, but as I throw daggers at him, he loosens it himself and I snap my arm away from him.

“Wait here until I get the others,” he snaps as he turns to leave.

“No, I’m coming back inside,” I say with determination as I try to push past him.

He blocks my way. “What, to that cowardly little boyfriend of yours?” he says as he motions at the bar.

“Beats having to look atyou.”

For a second, he just looks at me. Then his eyes narrow and he comes so close, I feel his breath on my face. “Now that’s a lie, isn’t it?” he whispers, his voice commanding and husky as he keeps staring deep into my eyes.

I find myself mesmerized, my breathing heavy and my knees buckling with growing desire.

“Isn’t it?” he demands.

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