Page 103 of Blooms of Darkness

He threw his hands into the air as a barrage of fireworks launched into the sky.

Music from a large band set up to the right of the bonfire drifted around us, and soon, Fae danced merrily, swingingbetween partners as the celebration truly kicked off. Smaller fires appeared up and down the streets, and I knew many would soon venture to their own cliques. For now, we were one country, one people, and it was beautiful.

I remained in my place, where all could see me, as well as the king and queen, as I did every year. A tingle on the back of my neck made me smile, and I searched the crowd for Kade. I didn’t even need to see him, but somehow, I couldfeelhim there. With a quick wave, Kalliah ran toward a drink stand to get some wine for her and Dimitri. I lost sight of them soon after, while I continued to search for Kade amongst the revelry.

“Your Highness.”

I froze. Andras stood in front of me, bowing, before reaching for my hand. I gritted my teeth.

“May I have the honor, as Royal Adviser, of the first dance.” The fire reflecting in his eyes made him appear as evil as I knew him to be.

I glanced at my father, who frowned at us. Andras had never been so bold as to make such an inappropriate request. Not in recent memory at least. He’d spoken loudly enough for those around to hear, ensuring his request could not be ignored.

It would be more of a headache to deny him, but it did nothing to soothe my racing pulse. Fear of touching him, of being close to him in any way, had my heart beating wildly. I nodded, moving rigidly toward the center of the dancing circle.

His hand curled along my back as he tried to pull me closer, and I bit my tongue, tasting blood, as I forced my body to keep from trembling under his touch. Closing my eyes, I attempted not to let my nausea take over as he moved us to the beat. Eventually, I failed, needing to open my eyes before I retched from the blind movements, and a tear leaked from the corner of my eye.

“Still unable to control your emotions, I see.” His eyes flashed with glee as a cruel smile overtook his face.

I held my chin higher. “I can control myself more than you realize.”

I may be afraid, but I’d look him in the eye as he taunted me. He couldn’t force my submission. I grimaced, as a clawlike sensation scratched at my brain.

He chuckled mirthlessly as we spun in time with the ever-changing beat. “You forget I’ve seen you weeping and begging for mercy on the floor of my dungeons, Princess. Hard to be intimidated by someone so easily broken.”

A surge of anger coursed through me, heating my body more than the fire ever could. Howdarehe? I tried to pull a step back, to put distance between us, but his hold was relentless.

We twirled by Ian, whose expression turned cold, unblinking, as he stared at Andras. I shook my head as subtly as I could to tell him not to make a scene.

Thankfully, he didn’t make a move. Andras wasn’t crazy enough to try anything, at least I didn’t believe so. The fact that he spoke to me so callouslyandin public about his “training” sessions made me believe he’d grown more arrogant, but too bold. Or perhaps even crazy himself.

He hummed as we danced, behaving as though we did this all the time. As if it were something we enjoyed. Ian lingered, farther from us now, as Andras continued moving both of us in time to the song. “Are you rooting for any of the contenders in particular? Besides the captain of course.” He snickered. “He always butts in where he doesn’t belong.”

“He belongs here with me,” I said.

Andras smiled. “He belongs in the ground like his father. Peasants like him have no business running around palaces like they matter. Like they have a place at the king’s table.”

My teeth ached as I clenched my jaw. “I swear if you harm him?—”

“You’ll what?” Pulling me tight to his body, he whispered in my ear, “A magicless princess and her band of misfits are no match for me.”

The brazen way in which he acted shocked me to my core. He’d implied things in the dungeons, whispered things in passing, had gotten Ian and I into trouble where he could. But he’d never been this open and disgusting in such a public place.

I started to pull away again, not caring what others might think. Immediately, I searched for Ian, and this time when our eyes met, he moved instantly, trying to get through the crowd to my side.

But Andras had purposefully moved us away from Ian. Away from help.

I stared at the man, as if somehow, I might be able to find the answer to his newfound confidence. The scratching sensation occurred again, and he eerily stared into my eyes.

My stomach churned, but I couldn’t look away.

My shoulders sagged. Perhaps dancing with Andras wasn’t so bad. He’d been in the family for years, he wouldn’t actually hurt me, not too badly at least. My father trusted him. He was a Royal Adviser after all.

I pulled back immediately, shaking the thoughts from my head, knowing something was wrong. My eyes narrowed as the song came to a conclusion. “What did you just do to me?”

Andras leaned in, a sinister look flashing in his eyes.

But then, a pair of sturdy arms wrapped around my side. “Princess.”

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