Page 34 of Blooms of Darkness

There had been no hint of recognition in his gaze. The wink he’d offered me, merely a mastered act, one he surely used on everyone and anyone.

I should be grateful he didn’t recognize me. If he learned my true identity, we’d be in trouble. He would have an edge in the trials from knowing my secrets.

Arrogant man.

He’d be trouble. I smoothed my dress, lifting my chin and observing the crowd in an attempt to pretend I didn’t notice him as he strode to the end of the line of the contenders.

He wore all black, with grey embellishments swirling along the lapels of his jacket. The only hint of color located on a strip of dark blue outlining his tunic. When he pivoted to take his place in line, he caught me watching, and the devilish grin he sentmy way had me snapping my head immediately back toward the king.Damn it.

Arrogant indeed, I told myself. I shook thoughts ofthatcocky Fae from my mind. Even if the giggling reverberating from quite a few women in the crowd made him hard to ignore. He almost garnered as much of a reaction from the Fae of Brookmere as Ian did.

They could have Kade Blackthorn for all I cared.

“There you have it. Eight of our kingdom’s finest will compete, beginning in two days’ time, during the first trial for Princess Illiana’s hand.” The king started clapping, followed by the queen and the others in the room joining together.

“Now, let the dancing begin. Celebrate! May nature guide you!” The king chuckled as he took my mother’s hand and placed it on his arm, returning them to their thrones. They shared a warm look of affection, which made my heart sink further.

“Your Highness.” Ian’s husky voice at my side quickly reminded me of my anger toward him. I took his hand and planted a fake smile on my face as he led me to the dance floor.

As his hand settled on my waist, I attempted to calm my voice. Instead, it came out as a hiss. “What were you thinking? You cannot compete. This is insane!”

To his credit, he didn’t falter in his steps, or stiffen. HeknewI’d put up a fight. He kept the pace of the waltz played by the quartet.

“Icancompete, Lana. And I am.”

I gripped his arm. “You’re throwing away your entire life, Ian. Everything. For what?”

He stared down at me as if my anger was surprising. “Do you think it would be better for a power-hungry nobody to have your hand? Some arrogant prick who would believe you should be kept away from friendships with lesser Fae, from your extra activities? From me?”

I swallowed in an attempt to stop my lips from trembling.

“Or, even better, someone who would exploit the fact you have no magical abilities?”

He led us, dancing all around the room, as though we didn’t have a care at all.

“You do this, and you lose your chance at finding your own happiness. You’re handsome, and wonderful, and eligible. Every woman in the entire kingdom vies for your affections daily. You could find love,” I whispered. “Please don’t throw all of it away for me. I can’t live with it.”

He spun me outward before pulling me in, closer this time so his lips were at my ear. His breath, hot and needy, caught me by surprise. “I can think of much worse fates than being tethered to you forever, Lan.”

We moved the next few paces of the dance, my mind reeling as my heart broke at his words.

“Besides,” he said, chuckling, “we already spend all our time together, anyway. A ring and a title will not change us. Now put a smile on your beautiful face. The kingdom is watching.”

“Adding fuel to the fire of the rumors already swirling around us,” I grumbled.

“Perhaps we shall make the rumors true then. Our children would be absolutely breathtaking.” He winked, before spinning me out once more.

He bowed as the song drew to a close, placing a delicate kiss on my cheek before turning away. He knew this conversation would continue, but not here, not now. Even if I could reluctantly admit he had a point. There were worse men than him to marry. Frederich being one of them.

We weren’t in love, and our relationship had never been intimate. I refused to let him give up his freedom for me.

As soon as Ian left my side, Lord Levi Thatcher stepped forward. His brash kiss on my hand had me wanting to wipe it on the skirt of my dress.

“Aren’t you a delight, Princess?” he murmured, aggressively yanking my body toward him.

Pressed against a stranger like this couldn’t be any more inappropriate, marriage trials or not. I drew back a step, locking my arms, so he couldn’t draw me close again. “How charming.”

With less of a smile and more of a lip curl, I remained focused, nodding and adding a short “mmhmm” here and there. His rambling made it impossible to know if Lord Thatcher even cared that I heard his prattling.

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