Page 16 of Kingdom of Briars and Roses

“Enjoying yourself, Princess?” asked a deep voice, ripe with condescension.

Caught off guard, I blinked at the stranger who’d spoken.

Our eyes met, and my breath caught as the world seemed to tilt.

He was the most handsome male I’d ever seen, with dark hair that hung carelessly over his forehead and stormy gray eyes that seemed to see right through me to the secrets I guarded from the world.

“I am,” I finally managed to stammer.

His mouth quirked in amusement. “Careful with the wine. You’ll want your wits about you when your announcement’s made.”

His reference to my engagement along with his rude tone cleared my head instantly. I did a quick scan of his clothing, but there was nothing to suggest whether he belonged to Summer or Autumn. His tunic was charcoal with no emblem or identification anywhere on it. His pointed ears gave him away as fae, though I felt no power coming from him at all.

Maybe a soldier or special guest of my father’s?

The king had rewarded the unit who’d most recentlyreturned from the front lines with an extensive leave period. Maybe this was one of his men who didn’t understand the formal dress requirements for an event such as this. Out of his depth, clearly. And overstepping his bounds.

“My wits are just fine, thank you.” I turned back to the crowd, silently dismissing him.

But he only shifted himself so we stood shoulder to shoulder.

It was a bit easier to think without him looking at me, but his shoulder nearly brushed mine, and my body hummed at our closeness. His scent, some heady blend of smoke and spice, clouded my senses.

“Do you enjoy parties, Princess?” His deep voice slid over my skin, sending a shudder through me.

I forced myself to breathe evenly, shocked at my body’s reaction to a simple conversation. And an annoying one at that. “Excuse me?”

“Do you enjoy spending your time waltzing in pretty dresses and drinking until you forget who you’ve danced with?”

I turned to him, glaring. “Who the Hel do you think you are, talking to me like that?”

He shrugged. “It’s a simple question.”

“It’s insulting. You don’t know anything about me.”

His brow lifted, transforming his handsome features into something I wanted to slap. Or at least touch. “Is that a no?”

To counteract the heat flushing through me, I gave him an icy look. “It’s none of your business what I like. I don’t even know your name.”

“My name is Rydian.”

“And who exactly let you into this party, Rydian?” My voice twisted with disdain on his name.

Something dangerous flashed in his eyes, and all amusementvanished. “I go where I please.”

“Actually, this is my kingdom. You go whereIplease.”

“In that case, tell me, where would I please you, Princess?”

His words scraped over me, igniting me with a need I’d never felt before.

I licked my lips, trying to form the response his impertinence warranted. His gaze darted to my mouth, tracking the movement. Suddenly, I was aware of how close we stood. Somewhere along the way, he’d turned back to face me. Or I him.

And now I was staring up at him like he was the only male in the room. Probably not a good thing considering this male wasn’t my fiancé.

“You don’t,” I managed to say lamely.

“Don’t what?”

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