Page 46 of A Court Bright and Broken

The butler looked bewildered, and I was even more so as I stumbled along beside the dazzling stranger, who led me into the crowded ballroom.

There had to be hundreds of Elves in attendance, comprised of every size, shape, and skin shade. Maybe it was more than hundreds? I had never seen so many bodies in one place at one time.

Heart still hammering, I struggled to determine whether I was more disconcerted by the near-miss, the sights andsounds of the grand room we’d just entered, or by my escort’s appearance.

It was a close contest, but he won out.

I’d heard Elven men possessed an unearthly beauty. This one certainly did. In fact, even compared to the other men in my line of sight, he was superior.

Now that I wasn’t in imminent danger of ejection or imprisonment in a dank castle dungeon, I was able to breathe more deeply, calm myself, and take in the details of him.

He stood a head taller than most of the other men. Unlike many of them, who appeared to be dressed in the colors of their various homelands, he wore all black.

I’d never seen a male with such long hair, and I was surprised how masculine and attractive I found it. The raven locks fell halfway down his back, pulled back from his face to reveal a strong brow and prominent cheekbones.

I felt dwarfed by his wide shoulders, and keeping up with his long stride was a challenge, even with my magically lengthened legs.

He moved through the crowd with ease and confidence, nodding to a few guests who were obviously trying to catch his eye.

When we eventually stopped deep inside the ballroom, he turned and looked down at me. For a moment, every thought I had was wiped clean.

All I could do was stare at those cyan eyes, mesmerized by their blend of sea and sky. It was the kind of unforgettable color that resonated through you and left a lasting mark.

My companion gave me another smile, which didn’t help my discombobulation one bit. His mouth was perfectly formed, the ideal combination of strength and softness. The line of his jaw was powerful and sharp, like the rest of his features.

Though the total effect was beautiful, he was the most masculine -looking man I’d ever seen. He made the men in my village look like barely grown boys in comparison.

“Are you all right, my lady?” he asked, a slight line forming between his dark eyebrows.

The sudden frown and the sound of his deep voice shook me out of my daze. How long had I been staring?

“Yes. Yes, I’m fine. Why did you… help me? Why did you lie back there?” I asked, finding myself a bit tongue-tied in his presence.

The breathtaking grin came back. “Should I not have? Are you a spy sent here to assassinate us?”

He laughed out loud, then his remarkable eyes warmed and crinkled at the edges, which only made his visual appeal stronger.

“Had a good feeling about you,” he said with a shrug. “What’s your name?”

“R—it’s Wyn.”

After I said it, I panicked. Was that an acceptable name for an Elven woman or had I just revealed my deception?

No doubt this man’s “good feeling” would disappear instantly if he knew I was human and not Elven. He’d probably spit on me and escort me to the dungeon himself.

“What a lovely name, fitting for the loveliest woman I’ve seen tonight,” he said, then brought my hand up to his lips. “My esteem shines upon you.”

Instead of pecking the back of it, he surprised me by turning it over and pressing a soft kiss to the inside of my wrist.

A fluttery feeling, the likes of which I’d never experienced before, filled my belly and chest, like a flock of birds all lifting off the ground at once. I sucked in a sharp breath.

Hearing it, my escort chuckled and gave me a perceptive wink. Heknewhow he affected me and seemed to be enjoying it.

This man was the very definition of a rogue. I’d never admired such qualities before, but I’d be lying if I said he had no effect on me.

It had to be that Elven glamour I’d heard about.

But why was he expending it onme? I looked around the room, spotting, oh severalhundredwomen—and men—prettier than myself. Many of them had their eyes on my companion, staring with obvious longing.

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