Page 41 of Bride of the Midnight Prince

“But not against someone like you?”

“It’s not going to make me fall back on my defenses and give you the edge, no. That doesn’t mean it can’t work with someone more experienced, though.”

“Hmm.” I bite my lip, focusing on my moves. Adrenaline sharpens my attention. It isn’t likely that I could successfully win against someone like Prince Rahk, but the force of my desire to do just that surprises me. I’m so completely focused on the game that I hardly even think about the prince until he speaks.

“You have a knack for this game.”

I look up. He studies me intently, his head slightly cocked to one side. If I’d known he was watching me like that, I wouldn’t have been able to think straight about my next move. I shift in my seat and look away. “I enjoy games.”

“Even fae ones?”

“I haven’t met a game I didn’t enjoy,” I reply.

He smiles.Actuallysmiles. “Me neither.”

I clear my throat to rid myself of the strange tickle that appeared. The pieces on the board shift in my vision. I blink to focus. I study the board, then sag against the table in realization.

Rahk’s smirk widens. “I’m impressed.”

“Impressed?” I blurt. “Impressed that I lost?”

He encircles my last piece and claims the fourth spot surrounding the Fool. “I’m impressed that you saw your loss that quickly. I thought it would have taken several more turns to notice.”

I make a vague sound of displeasure.

“So, you like games,” says the prince, sliding the board back into its container, “but you don’t like losing.”

“No one enjoys losing,” I reply tartly. “Though I’m sure you’re not very familiar with the concept.”

He pauses just before he drops the Fool into the container. One eyebrow cocks slightly. “That is a bold assumption, considering you know nothing about me.”

I shut my mouth, chastened.

“But you are correct. I do not lose often.”

When I look up at him, surprised, his gaze holds an unexpected twinkle. I blink twice. Then, because he seems to be in a relatively good mood, I decide to test my luck. “My lord, may I speak plainly?”

“So long as you do not offend me,” he replies, and I cannot tell if he is serious or if he is somehow teasing me with an unreadable deadpan.

“I know I am lacking in many ways,” I begin cautiously, “but I wish to please you. I fear that I usually cannot tell from your face whether you are pleased or not.”

There is no shift in his expression. He nods slowly. “That does put you at a disadvantage, considering that I can tell very easily when you are pleased and displeased.”

I do not think he could have given a more frustrating reply.

“Nat: currently very displeased with his employer,” the prince declares.

“My lord!” I cry, wishing I could hide the way my skin suddenly turns hot. “You must delight in tormenting me! I cannot tell if I am to get on my knees and beg your forgiveness or if you are merely teasing me.”

He nods again. “I do delight in tormenting you.”

My mouth falls open. I try to collect my composure. “Then . . . you do not require penance of me?”

“The penance I require of you is that you play Fool’s Circle with me tomorrow evening.” At this, he seems to allow himself a small smile. Enough to prove that heis,in fact, teasing me and that he is not angry.

At the mention of playing again, I forget my frustration and perk up. “Tomorrow?”

“Considering that your world smells like rotting animal corpses, I ought to indulge in anything that makes up for it. You’ve proven yourself an interesting opponent, and perhaps with enough practice, we’ll turn you into something formidable.”

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