Page 73 of The Prince from a Cruel Summer
If I gave you the moon, you'd grow tired of it soon
You're like a baby
You want what you want when you want it
But after you are presented
With what you want, you're discontented
You're always wishing and wanting for something
When you get what you want
You don't want what you get
And if I sit upon your knee
You'll grow tired of me
'cause after you get what you want
You don't want what you wanted at all
The only thing I can see is Aidan, as if all the torch lights have suddenly shifted to him. His back is hunched, masking his true height, his jaw set in a hard line. I only meant to tease him, but he looks…destroyed by the song, and my heart races.
There's a longing in your eye
That is hard to satisfy
You're unhappy most of the time
Here's the reason why
—ADAPTED FROM LYRICS BY IRVING BERLIN
The chorus comes again, and I’m pleasantly surprised at all the people singing along. Devi even raises her cup in my direction, a glint of curiosity widening her silver gaze. When I circle back to the chorus, Aidan pushes off the fence and approaches her. Tonight is a fuck whoever the hell you want without consequences night. Looks like Aidan has decided to claim the ultimate prize.
Devi grins and nods at whatever he says.
The song ends, and I plaster a fake smile on my lips, the turmoil in my soul threatening to show on my face. “Thank you.” I hand off the mic to Willow, who’s looking at me funny.
She shakes off the tearful look on her face and addresses the crowd to close out the gala, wishing our audience a great solstice.
Elio peels himself from his piano bench and grins from ear to ear. “Blessed Flame. What a performance!”
“Right back at you.”
Students and villagers alike squeeze closer to the stage to shake my hand, and Iris is among them, her attention solely focused on Elio.
The jazz band takes over the stage to set up for the dance, and I slip to the ground, elbowing my way past Iris and following the curve of the platform, smiling gently at my new fans. What did they put in the flameroot wine for them to be so enamored with me after just one song? I humbly accept praises left and right, shaking hands as I make my way toward the cantina—until I bump into Zeke.
“Moth… you were hot up there,” he slurs, invading my personal space.
“Err—thanks.” I push him off me, taking advantage of his slow reflexes to lose him, racing between the dancers only to find Aidan gone. The boulder in my stomach pulses. I climb on the bottom part of the fence to peek over the crowd, but he’s vanished. And so has Devi.
Ezra catches up to me. “That was— You’re a star, Beth.”
I stand stock-still in front of him, tears welling up in my eyes. I don’t know what I expected, but I never thought my performance would drive Aidan into another woman’s arms.
