Page 66 of Bonded to the Fallen Shadow King

“No…” I shook my head, hating that she thought I would point out her battle wound. “I meant the dress. It looks great on you. Are you feeling better?”

“Enough to show my face. It’ll be an early night for me, but I’m not letting those bellends see me falter.” She stuck out her right foot. Though it had mostly healed, a few blue veins remained, far lighter and less swollen, indicating that she continued to heal. They almost looked like an extension of the sculpted midnight blue stilettos.

“Do they really expect us to dance in these?” I teased, trying to lighten the mood. “I think I might break my neck if I move too fast.”

“Or if Kaylen shoves you away from Vad.” She looped her arm in mine as we started to walk down the hall, our heels clicking on the marble floor. “Not that there will be too much of that tonight. The prince probably has to be the lead officiator. I heard a rumor that the king isn’t feeling the best, so he won’t be opening the ball with the traditional dance, and Vad is going to have to see to the rest of the ceremonies that are customary here. So you can have my dance with Vad, if you’d like.” Her brow arched as her smile broadened.

Heat shot down my spine, and I tossed my hair as I scoffed. “You earned your dance fair and square.”

“Well, you did more than a little to help get me to the finish line, so it’s only fair you enjoy the reward more than a little.”

“Dancing with Vad isn’t a reward,” I argued way too loudly, and the stench of sulfur from my own lie hit me hard. My stomach clenched, and then I snorted, trying to make it sound like I’d been joking.

She chuckled and patted my hand. “You’re right. It isn’t. It’s utter drudgery. We should just let Kaylen dance with him all night.”

I bristled, and Rhielle watched me closely.

I hated that I’d fallen for her game, but the thought of Kaylen touching Vad had rage boiling inside me, and the thought of snapping her hand off was way too appealing.

As we passed into the main hall, soft elegant music reached us, and I had limited time to redeem myself.

I cleared my throat. “I can’t do that to him. No one deserves that sort of punishment.”

She clicked her tongue, and her pink eyes sparkled beneath the exhaustion. “Selfless as always, Briar. Maybe you should have all three dances with him to save him from such a fate. I’m sure he’d be grateful for your intervention.”

I rolled my eyes and huffed as I tried to think of something to say back.

As I opened my mouth, I stopped.

The main hall opened before us, and the massive double doors at the far end were wide open. Soft golden light spilled into the corridor, and the music grew louder. Dozens of fae milled about, their gowns and suits elegant, and every single one of them was beautiful. Was there even such a thing as an ugly fae?

“Briar! Rhielle!”

Standing by the nearest door, Myantha waved us over. Her iridescent white gown glistened under the chandeliers, catching the light of the crystals woven into her dress. The lighter fabric faded into a warm pink at the hem, and her honey-gold locs swept around her shoulders. “You look so beautiful, both of you!”

I forced a smile to my face as I fought like hell not to search for Vaddy. “So do you. You’re stunning!”

“When we aren’t fighting for our lives, we actually look quite lovely.” Rhielle smirked, then winced, her hand going to her throat.

“You feeling all right?” I placed a hand on her shoulder to help steady her.

Rhielle paused and then straightened her spine. “Like I said, it’ll be an early night for me.”

Quen and Thalira stood farther inside the room and motioned us over. The ballroom itself was an enormous space with multiple ornate balconies overlooking the main floor. Elegant black columns supported the balconies, running up to the cathedral ceiling arched high above us with eight huge chandeliers hanging from thick chains. No one was on the main dance floor yet, but dozens and dozens of fae had gathered around it.

We stood on a landing that led to a polished black marble staircase with gold inlay. Staircases rose on both sides of the broad landing and led to the second and third floors. At the far end of the room, a raised platform bore one large onyx throne with two smaller ones flanking it. Black mist coiled around it, and two large stone lamps burned with golden fire. No one was there yet.

That must be where the royal family will sit.My heart clenched at the thought ofhim.

The orchestra continued to play. Harps, flutes, and some sort of steady drumbeat. The musicians were tucked away behind the pillars on the left side. On the right side were tables full of all kinds of food and drink.

“They’re getting ready to start,” Quen said. Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she squeezed my arm.

Thalira glanced back at us as we stepped to the edge of the landing near the balcony.

Rhielle walked alongside us, her manner quiet now. “I have to see this.”

“Why?” My brows furrowed. “What’s going to happen? You mean the dances?”

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