Page 56 of Blooms of Darkness

“Well, this has been a fascinating discussion, Frederich. Congratulations on doing so well. I believe the final contender is ready for his time, and then I’ll be retiring.”

Again, the smarmy man took my hand in his, and placed a kiss upon it, squeezing it in a way that left the skin he touched crawling.

As he walked away, I grabbed a drink from Perdot, who had never been too far from my side, and downed it. “Tits and daggers, he’s a prick,” I mumbled.

Kade hadn’t moved from the far side of the balcony. He turned as I approached, and I hesitated as his eyes darkened, like I’d seen before at the drop. They were more black than grey, the storms normally swirling turned to darkened skies. His jaw clenched.

“That’s quite a unique mouth you’ve got for a princess.” His gaze held me like tethers to him.

I glared, not breaking eye contact. “I’m told it’s my best quality.”

The darkness faded from his eyes almost instantly when a half-smile formed on his face, as though it had never been there at all.

As his smile lingered, a current ran through me. “It’s an awfully forward thing to say to a stranger. Is this what you plan on discussing with me during my esteemed private courting time?”

“Trust me, if I didn’t have to give everyone at this gathering a fair amount of time, you’d have none of my attention.” Even as I said the words, I knew they weren’t true. He commanded my attention for some stupid reason.

He chuckled like he knew it. “Right, because your other company was so delightful.” Kade tipped back his honey sweet wine, staring at the empty glass before setting it down on the railing beside us.

“I have been with plenty of men who are, in fact, delightful company—” I paused, realizing how what I’d said could be construed and clamped my mouth shut.

Kade raised his eyebrows and leaned his arm against the balcony railing. “Please, do tell me more. I didn’t realize you were so accustomed to us men.” The way he leaned in brought him closer to me than normal conversation. My heartbeat quickened, and I hoped the sound of his own voice distractedhim enough so he wouldn’t notice the effect his presence had on me.

“Have you ever been with a man before, Little Rebel?”

My jaw dropped at his forwardness, my breath hitching at the nickname, which so clearly got under my skin.

Kade’s eyes danced at my immediate reaction.

“How dare you?” I snapped.

He shrugged, flicking a petal from the marble railing. “You started this conversation.”

I narrowed my eyes, ignoring the sensation stirring in my gut. “Worried the goods you're vying for are sullied? Perhaps you should back out of the trials.”

Kade grinned at my indignant retort, or maybe he just enjoyed the fight. Either way, he held my stare as, I swear, a fire lit behind his damned eyes. “The goods look flawless. I couldn’t care less if they’re sullied as you say.” He cocked an eyebrow, almost daring me to respond.

I hated the heat rising in my face, aware it colored my cheeks. I stepped toward him, my chest practically touching his. “Good. Because you certainly wouldn’t be my first.”

Kade reached for me, and I froze in place. Gently, so much so his fingertips whispered across my skin, he tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.

Closing the barely-there gap between us, he leaned forward, his breath warm against my cheek as he spoke. “But, I’d certainly be the best.”

He took a step back from me, bowed his head, then retreated, although he still held my gaze.

“Sweet dreams, Little Rebel.”

Chapter 17

Walking through the corridors to my room, my mind couldn’t help but replay today's events. It rapidly jumped between the trials, further attacks upon our lands, a contender dead, and Ian no longer being my personal guard.

Then of course Kade’s insufferable knowledge of my activities, complete with a stupid little moniker of his own. However, the latter was truly the least of my worries. His nonchalant and flirtatious attitude didn’t escape my thoughts, though, as I wandered through the hallways.

As I took the south passageway through the castle, I couldn’t help but stop and stare out of the massive windows to the moonlight gardens, spread across the palace grounds.

I leaned my head against the windowpane as the heaviness of today's events threatened to consume me. I needed a long sleep, and hopefully one without nightmares.

Fates,please let me survive these trials and be left with a partner and not another burden to bear.

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