Page 25 of The Light Falls
He's staring at me in fascination. “You’re truly excited, aren’t you?”
“Of course,” I say, with a confused frown. “I’m interested in everything happening in the kingdom, whether it’s the latest Fae hit singer, a play, or the challenges we’re facing with our low metal supply.”
He doesn’t say anything, but I see the wheels turning in his head.
I put the fork down and turn to him. “I know the Fae are known for their intense magnetism, but you seem to have an extra dose of it. Females and males almost fall over themselves trying to be near you. Why?”
The corners of his mouth turn down. “Honestly, I didn’t think you noticed. You seem oddly immune to it, something I enjoy immensely.”
I throw my head back and laugh. “I’m not oblivious, trust me, but I don’t feel an unnatural pull toward you.”
His gorgeous smile appears. “So, you’re saying you like me?”
“Answer my question, and I’ll answer yours,” I tell him, wanting to see if he’ll trust me with the truth.
With his other hand, he reaches for the cake on my plate. “I’ve always had the ability to inspire desire in others. My guess is an ancestor nobody talks about, but the Fae like to hide their indiscretions.” He places the cake against my lips. “There’s no need to cut it. You can have it all with one bite.”
I hold his stare and open my mouth. He feeds the cake to me, then trails one finger along my lips.
Rich, decadent chocolate cake with chocolate orange frosting. The flavors explode in my mouth, and I moan. It’s mind-blowingly good. Suddenly, warmth rushes through my body and hits my core, making me gasp.
“What’s in this cake?”
His eyes darken to the deepest purple, and he leans over and whispers in my ear, “Faery dust. Just a touch to liven the party.”
Faery dust. I’ve always wanted to try it, but it was too expensive. A nice buzz settles around me, almost like I’ve downed a half a bottle of wine in two minutes.
“Mmm, it’s lovely.”
His shoulders relax. “It is, isn’t it? We should go down and join the rest of the guests.” He holds out his hands to help me stand. “Would you go to dinner with me tomorrow night? Just the two of us. No sister or guests to distract us?”
Inside, I squeal, but on the outside, I force myself to pause. “One condition. No games. I’ve had enough of men running hot one second and cold the next.” Cormal’s blue eyes and sardonic smile pop in my head. “Deal?”
He flips my hand around in his and brings it to his mouth for a feather-light kiss. “Deal. If you liked the cake, you’ll love Asena. Come on.”
CHAPTERELEVEN
MERI
The sun rises in three hours, but who can sleep after a night like this one? My blood is still pumping with excitement. Like a fairytale, I drank, ate, and danced my fill. It was marvelous. Asena’s music plays on repeat in my head, making me hum and twirl while I walk. Lorn was right. Her voice was intoxicating, although the dessert continues to hold first place with me.
Allandra and Lorn know the most interesting people—scientists, musicians, actors, authors, and artists. All creative and smart influencers who live in Meira. Not one stuffy individual in the bunch. The only council member in attendance was Lorn.
The image of his broad smile and mischievous smirk makes me smile. Suave. Sophisticated. One of the aristocratic Fae, yet so different from the rest. Easily mingling with guests all night, he exuded a magnetic charm none could resist. Fae are typically self-serving. Not him. In conversations, Lorn’s focus was completely on the other person and their words.
I’ve never met anyone like him. He’s so real compared to the rest of the Fae that I almost feel like I can be myself around him. Only Solandis’ earlier words of caution hold me back.
I’m still smiling when I round the corner of the garden and see Rivan. Anger flares for a brief second but deflates the longer I watch him.
Dressed in casual loose pants and a sleeveless shirt, his head is down and shoulders bent, as if the weight of the world is on his back. And fuck. I know that feeling so well. When your decisions are dictated by the whims of others, you live in a dark tunnel with no end in sight. Everything weighs on you, and there is no hope of lightening the load. Nyssa might be gone, but Rivan is tied to this court by the agreement he made long ago.
“Rivan,” I call out softly into the night, quickly conjuring a thin scarf to wrap around my head to hide my crown. “Don’t you ever sleep?”
He immediately tenses. “Meri. Sorry, Queen Meri.” After a short bow, he moves to the side of the path as if to let me pass. “The night carries… too many memories,” he reluctantly answers. Avoiding my gaze, he stares over my shoulder, unwilling to let me see his pain.
It breaks my heart into a million pieces. How do I fix someone so completely broken?
“I’m sorry.”
