Page 21 of The Prince from a Cruel Summer
“Sounds like you’re speaking from experience, Will,” Sean teases her. “Go on, spill.”
“Err—I wish. Aidan told me.”
Sean nods like her answer appeased his thirst for gossip. “Aidan would know.”
All my hairs stand up to attention at the mere mention of the name, and I startle at Sean’s unexpected nudge, my heart suddenly pounding in my chest.
“Your fiancé is one fine man, moth. Shadow dudes just have a certainje ne sais quoi…” he scans Zeke from head to toe, biting his lips. “Too bad he’s into girls, because I wouldn’t mind taking a peek under his trunks.”
I blink to dissipate the heat in my chest.
“Look at her. She’s clearly hoping for that peek, too,” Iris chuckles, and I curse my complexion once more.
“If shadows get you hard, maybe the Crow swings your way, Sean,” Willow suggests with a devilish grin.
“Nah. According to the rumors, the only wave that rocks the Crow’s stiff boat—which I heard is an impressive vessel indeed—is Devi.”
Iris’s eyes dance at the news. “Devi and the Crow? Really?”
“I’m just repeating what I’ve heard.”
“Oh, I’d pay good money to see that,” Iris jokes.
Blood still sears my cheeks, burning my face. I’m not a prude by any means, but Winter Fae seldom talk so openly about sex. Only when we’ve had too much cider and are surrounded by our closest friends do we dare to discuss our fantasies so freely. We’d rather whisper about it.
Our wedding celebrations are scandalous as we watch newlyweds from afar with opera glasses, tasting cheeses and wines. I’ve attended twelve since I turned fourteen, each leaving quite an impression. My own sexual experiences were all whispers and hushed breaths, biting my lips to avoid being caught with Henri in his bedroom.
But I was warned by my father that Spring and Summer Fae have no such qualms about discussing their primal urges, so it’s not a big surprise.
Iris motions to a boy playing against Zeke. “Declan is into boys. He can’t shut up about it.”
“Declan’s my cousin,” Sean whines, grimacing.
“I know, but when the pond’s too small, you can’t be too choosy,” Iris quips, and everyone laughs.
A group of four third-years attacks the buffet, packing up almost half the food into containers and slipping them into a large bag. “Hey, rookies! Some of us are hiking up Lovers’ Leap for some cliff diving. You want to come with?”
Sean jumps to his feet. “You bet!”
Willow wraps her arms around herself, her skin riddled with goosebumps. “I warn you, the water is freezing this time of year.”
I give a confident shake of the head. “I’m out. Though I’m sure the water’s warm enough for me.”
Summer Fae are wusses when it comes to cold.
“You want to join them, Iris?” Elio keeps his voice as casual as possible, but a hint of red flushes his cheeks, too.
Uh-uh. Elio’s got a crush on Iris. And sucks for him, it shows.
She crosses her arms over her chest. “I wouldn’t be caught dead cliff diving with you, Lightbringer.”
“Why not?” he deadpans, narrowing his gaze.
“Well, you’re obviously a virgin, and I don’t like to teach. So unless you do some serious homework, don’t ask me again.”
The mixed crowd of third- and second-years behind us howls and cheers at her flippant response, and Willow and I exchange a cringey glance.Ouch.
“She’s a real… treat,” I mutter under my breath, and Elio’s fingers dig into the sand, though he manages a soft, embarrassed smile.
