Page 67 of Swords and Curses

"Darling girl." Eli kissed her head affectionately. "You belong in this family."

"I don't think your brothers would agree. One will barely talk to me, and the other looked at me like I was a piece of meat."

"Zalan isn't as sociable, but if he didn't like you, he would make it very clear why. He is quietly impressed that you killed Ryn and doesn't know how to take you yet," Eli explained. "And Balthasar is the favorite nephew of Vincenzo, who is a hapless womanizer. He'd want to make sure that you're worthy of him. Please don't be offended by either of them. They're uneasy with everything that is happening, and so they forget their manners."

The youngest Seren Du brother made his way over to them and offered his hand to Rosa.

"Principessa, you promised me a dance," Vincenzo reminded her. "Eli cannot keep the newest family member to himself all evening."

"Treat her politely, brother. She's not as sweet as she looks," Eli warned.

Rosa took Vincenzo's hand and allowed him to guide her out onto the dance floor.

"I can see why my nephew is so enchanted with you," Vincenzo said while they waltzed.

"Do you ever turn off the charm?" Rosa asked as he spun her.

"It is a part of who I am."

"You remind me of Saul."

Vincenzo smiled. "Ah, the golden-haired beauty. I knew him in the Russian court. If Eli hadn't have gotten to him first, I would have changed him myself."

"How is Lily?" Rosa tried to change the subject. Despite everything that had happened with Pearl, she didn't think Lily was a bad person, just easily manipulated by the woman she loved.

"She is fearless. It's doing my kingdom good having her there to pull them into line. She tells me I am too soft with them."

"Sounds like Lily."

Vincenzo spun her again and then brought her close. "So tell me, Rosa Wylt, do you still have nightmares about killing Ryn?"

"I do, but they aren't nightmares. I would happily take his head again," she admitted.

"Ha! You are bloodthirsty like my nephew. I bet your sex is incredible."

"Speculate about my sex life again, and I'll show you how bloodthirsty I can be," Rosa retorted, wondering what the purpose was to his questions. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a flash of red from Nimue's dress, and she turned to see her fleeing the hall.

Rosa stopped dancing. "Fuck. Sorry, Uncle V, there is something I need to do." She caught the hilarious expression on his face just before she hurried through the crowd to find Eldon.

Eldon downedhis second scotch in a futile attempt to calm his nerves. He couldn't remember the last time he attended such a large gathering when the guests knew who his family was.

The Gwaed Gam loved to party, but the ones that Zalan and Vincenzo had brought with them were all warriors over two hundred years old and were on their best behavior.

Eldon tried not to notice the vividly red, iron rich cocktails they were drinking. With magic returning to the Unseelie, the Royals no longer needed blood to be strong, but their bastard children still had to have it to live.

"You look like you hate every minute of this," Nimue's voice snapped his attention back to her. He took the drink she offered him and tried not to look too long at her.

That dress. It was strapless, revealing the golden tinged skin of her arms and chest, and fell into a river of red that he refused to study too intently.

"I don't hate it, but I've never been very comfortable in a crowd this size. Too loud, too intrusive, but it's important to Eli, so I'm here."

"I like this time's formal clothing," Nimue said, looking over his three-piece suit and brilliant purple shirt. Eldon shifted uncomfortably. There was a glint of teasing in her eyes and somethingelsethat made him feel twitchy and flustered.

"I don't wear a suit often, so enjoy it while it lasts."

"I intend to."

Eldon had forgotten the smirk that appeared on her face. It made him want to do very stupid things like press her up against the wall behind them and kiss her. Or burn a city to the ground.

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