Page 120 of Crown of Slumber

I was striding down the steps of the courtyard before I realized what I was doing. My gaze never strayed from Fenn and the woman as I weaved through the crowd, making my way across the field to the dancing couple.

Fenn noticed me first, his eyes meeting mine over the woman’s shoulder. And he winked at me. The bastard actuallywinked.

The woman turned, a lazy smile on her face, her eyes glassy. “Join us!” she cried out, waving a hand toward me.

I ignored her, focusing all my wrath on Fenn. “No thank you. I need a word with myfiancé.” I spat the word.

How could I ever think we could be together or that he could change? He was nothing more than the arrogant asshole I always believed him to be.

“Aurelia—” Fenn said, but I was already tugging his arm, pulling him away from the crowd. He stumbled but quickly righted himself as he followed me.

When we reached the bridge, I whirled to face him, snarling, “What thehellare you doing?”

He exhaled a short laugh, running his hand through his hair. “What does it look like I’m doing? I’m enjoying the fete.”

“With another woman?”

He sighed. “Really, Aurelia, does that bother you?”

“Yes!” I blurted out without thinking.

He arched a single eyebrow, his eyes flaring with irritation. “Let me get this straight. You do not love me. You do not intend to marry me. And yet, you have some claim on me that is meant to prevent me from dancing with other women. Is that right?”

I let my arms fall on my thighs, the wine making my head cloudy. “I don’t—That’s not—How do you think it looks to everyone, to see you grinding up against another woman’s ass? When, moments ago, you announced your engagement tome.”

“I think it looks like I’m a very typical courtier,” he said, his tone thick with amusement.

I shoved his shoulders hard. “This is not ajoke,you bastard!”

My voice rang out, and several people turned to look at us in alarm.

Fenn’s smile vanished, and his nostrils flared. “You are making a scene,” he said in a low voice.

“Oh, you’ve already done that on your own with that sickening display.” I waved my hand toward the field of dancers.

Fenn grabbed my hand and tugged me across the bridge toward the Crescent Glade where we had danced. It seemed like ages ago, and yet it hadn’t even been an hour. Less than an hour since he’d held me close, making me feel like the only woman he saw, the only woman in the entire realm.

What a fool I’d been.

We reached the other side of the bridge, where only a few couples remained, lost in their own dance. Fenn led me into the Crescent Glade, away from any potential eavesdroppers, then turned to face me, his arms crossed. “Care to tell me what this is really about? Because I guarantee I’m not the only royal to be seen dancing with someone other than his betrothed.”

I rubbed my forehead, struggling to think clearly. “We had an image to uphold. Wasn’t it you who suggested we show the entire realm how madly in love we are with each other? Who is to believe that now?”

He shrugged. “Aren’t you leaving this court in a few hours? By the time gossip reaches anyone’s ears, our bargain will be fulfilled.”

I shook my head. “It isn’t fair that you can make demands ofme, like I must share a room and a bed with you, but you aren’t expected to do the same.”

His brows knitted together. “What about this is unfair? Didn’tyoudance with another man at the Equinox Ball?”

“Yes, but that was theking,not?—”

“So, how is this any different?”

“When I danced with the king, you made a show of kissing me on the dance floor to steer gossip away from it.”

“Is that so?” He inched closer, his mouth curling into that despicable smirk. “So, what will you do to me now, to fix the mess I’ve made?”

I groaned in frustration, turning away from him. “Everything is a game to you. You’re being ridiculous.”

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