Page 196 of Evil Hearts

“You really know how to butter a girl up.” A giggle slips past my lips.

“There is no bluster to be found here. Trust me, these are excellent,” he says with a smile.

“I would trust you, but I’m curious about your fae side. You are a fae mothman, right? The file they gave me after the show had some details, but they were making me dizzy,” I admit, thinking back to the files on all my dates and the fact that the one I’m meeting tomorrow is a lich.

“Yes, my father is the grand duke of the unseelie fae. He took my mother as a consort some years ago, but she has since passed.” His voice is wistful. “Lots of fae things to deal with day to day, being a good son and all that.”

“I’m sorry for your loss.” I reach across the table, resting one hand on top of his. The fur on his skin feels like velvet, and I stroke my thumb across his knuckles. “I lost my mother too.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. Though I’m sure your loss is much fresher than mine,” he says, dipping his head, his big eyes taking in my hand atop his. He slowly shifts his hand so his palm is up and he’s holding mine. “But nonetheless, thank you. You are too kind, Zenith.”

The kitchen door swings open and a large cart is wheeled out, a three-tiered tray stuffed to the brim with treats the only thing resting on it. When it pulls up beside our table, I know I shouldn’t be surprised, but I find myself blushing and sputtering a little. This is the exact kind of sweet shit you read about in romance books where the sexy stuff doesn’t come until you’re seventy percent into the book. I’m not patient enough for that, especially when given gifts by a handsome man.

“Here is my formal apology,” Leander says, gesturing to the treat tower. “Eat as much as you like; the rest will be packed up and I will have it driven to your home.”

“I think I love you,” I blurt as I grab a decadent seven-layer chocolate cake and dig in with the comically small fork on the table.

Leander’s entire face goes that darling dusky purple and his antennae curl slightly, almost forming a heart.

Night Two

Leander

There is asimple pleasure in providing for someone, especially when that someone already holds so much of your heart. Zenith is breathtaking, and each new thing I learn about her only leaves me coveting and craving more knowledge on. When she expressed her interest in telescopes, I knew what I needed to do.

“I’m not sure we’re supposed to be in here,” Zenith says, lowering the umbrella I purchased for her so she wouldn’t get wet. She glances around the botanical conservatory with some suspicion. “Did we break in?”

“My family is one of their greatest patrons. Breaking in isn’t exactly something I can do when so much of this place was paid for by my family,” I say coolly, and she smirks.

“Wow, way to flex. I thought when you pulled out the black card at breakfast, that was going to be the biggest flex of the day.”

“There is something about you that makes me want to be seen,” I admit, my words coming out more vulnerable than I meant them too. Being in her spotlight, able to bask in her attentions, is a high unlike anything I’ve experienced. All myjournalistic accomplishments pale in comparison to making her laugh.

“So, we came to see some plants?” she asks as she steps in, touching the petals of some common roses.

“Not quiet. There is a special exhibit that is being held in the oculus toward the back. Come with me.” I offer her my hand, and she takes it without hesitation. Her warmth seeps into me immediately, and it’s all I can do to continue moving toward the oculus instead of pulling her into my arms and kissing the nightlights out of her.

We pass a bouquet of beautiful flowers before coming to the grand set of double doors that separate the main section from the oculus. I pull out a long ivory key and slide it into the lock, pushing the door open and moving to the side so she can look inside.

“Holy shit!” she squeals, dropping my hand and booking it into the closed space.

A larger-than-life telescope sits in the middle of the room; the variety of lenses positioned up toward the glass ceiling to get a view of the night sky. It’s an incredibly powerful machine that I marveled at when it was unveiled, but seeing her reaction is priceless.

“I heard about this when it was being brought in. The tickets to see it have been sold out for months,” she says, stroking the side of the telescope more tenderly than a lover.

“Then it’s a good thing you have a way around having to purchase a ticket.” I chuckle softly as her eyes flick over to me, wide and elated.

“You mean it?”

“Of course.”

“No taking this back, even if you hate me in, like, a week,” she says pointing an accusatory finger at me. I lift my hands in mock surrender and dip my head.

“I, Leander Dulcis, promise to bring you, Zenith Calasso, to see this telescope whenever you want, as long as it remains within these walls. You have my word.” The soft traces of magic in my words drift over to her and send a visible shiver down her spine.

“What was that?” she asks, cheeks going a deep pink.

“A magic promise, made to you by a fae prince,” I answer softly, a little shrug to my shoulders.

---