Page 19 of The Prince from a Cruel Summer
Somehow, in just four sentences, Ezra has managed to insult Zeke, undermine his brother, and treat me like a whore. Zeke grabs a fistful of my skirt to tug me away from Ezra, while Aidan's fists clench and unclench at his sides, as if he can’t decide which of them to punch first.
I feel like nothing but a piece of meat being prodded by vultures. Clearly, I should have focused less on the trials and more on how to deal with gorgeous, vicious princes.
“Thank you for this little…chat, Ezra. It’s been enlightening.” I skirt away from Zeke and slip between the other two princes. My heart hammers as I march forward, ignoring the weight of their gazes, and throw them a dismissive wave without looking back. “See you later, boys.”
Chapter 7
Villains
WONDER BOY
“Ilike her,” Ezra declares, his eyes following Beth until she disappears between the bushes with her fiancé on her heels. “The Iris chick is smoking, but this one… there’s just something about her.”
“Iris is Idris’ daughter. He’ll make your life hell if you try anything.”
“And the moth is engaged, so there’s not a lot of fresh meat for us to sink our teeth into this year.” A wide grin overpowers his face. “Thank the Flame that the Summer Princess is hot.”
I click my tongue and bare my teeth in warning. “Where Willow is concerned, consider yourself a eunuch.” If he so much as looks at Willow funny, best friend or not, I’ll cook his balls and serve them for dinner.
“Just kidding, of course. Will’s my buddy, as you well know, and I’m not her type.”
“No new girl for you to seduce means you’ll get to study more,” I joke, trying to appear high-spirited despite my egregious mistake. Ezra knows me pretty well. I can’t let him know how interested I truly am in Beth and how I risked my reputation for her to be admitted here. “Evelyn is always berating you to spend more time in the library.”
Ezra cringes as if I’ve just crammed a fistful of myrtle seaweed into his mouth. “Study? Library? I think not. It’s our last year, Aidan. We have to make the most of it. Besides, I wouldn’t count the first-years out so quickly. The moth won’t stay with that tool Zeke for long, not now that she’s made it into the academy.”
“If Zeke’s father isn’t an idiot, he would have made a proper deal with her to prevent her from changing her mind.” As I say the words, a heavy knot coils in my stomach.Fuck.I hadn’t thought of that until now.
Ezra licks his lips, unaware of my turmoil. “We don’t have to change her mind, boo. Just convince her one night is worth the transgression.”
He’s beginning to sound too interested in my girl.
“What did you need?” I ask sharply.
“Your key to the cabin.”
We built a log cabin in the heart of the gardens back when I was a first year. It’s meant for special occasions when we want privacy and don’t want to be disturbed. I wove an enchantment over the whole meadow, and only someone in possession of the key can find it. Since we’re both expected to inherit a throne, our secrets are a coveted currency. At the cabin, we can talk, laugh, and love freely, away from our father’s spies and nosy peers.
I stare at him, unimpressed by his predictable need to put his Faehood first. “The party hasn’t even started, and you promised to introduce the new villains.”
“Don’t get your fiery panties in a twist. I just like to plan ahead, that’s all.”
I pretend to hand over the key, only to pull it out of his reach at the last second. I’m not a fan of him using our oasis of peace for a random hookup, but who am I to judge? “You can get the key later, when you’ve done your duty. Diana told me you refused to rehearse with them last night.”
“My best performances are always spontaneous, as you well know. Come on, Aidan. I’m horny as hell and optimistic about tonight, though my plans might be shifting as we speak.” He glances down the stone steps to where Beth and Zeke disappeared. “Do you think the new girl might be persuaded?—”
I answer too quickly, a flicker of jealousy igniting in my chest. “No. I don’t think she liked your attitude.”
“I like a challenge, but you’re right. I should stick to old favorites tonight. The twins let me know they’re ready for round two.”
The twins, two third-years with wild sexual appetites, have history with Ezra, and I chuckle, happy to hear he’s not going to go after Beth. “Have fun.” I rub the piece of leather acting as a keychain between my fingers before handing it over.
Some silly part of me wants to hold on to that key, just in case, but taking Ezra out of the equation is worth it. Besides, I’m willing to be patient. After what I just learned, my genius plan to seduce Beth and make her fall in love with me might take a few days more than I’d originally planned.
Ezra and I stroll over to the beach, exchanging playful jabs and lighthearted banter as we go.
The alumni have reserved the north beach, preferring to keep bad decisions away from the prying eyes of the students. As a result, the crew huddles on Saffron Cove, a small, secluded orange beach at the foot of the Lovers’ Leap cliffs.
I grab a cloak from the pile on the table next to the buffet, pulling the hood over my head and pressing my mask back in place. The attire allows me to reflect in private as we wait for all the first-years to settle down in front of the bonfire.
