Page 46 of Kiss of Ice

Now she was standing behind a set of carved double doors on the floor above the Grand Ballroom. When the trumpeters struck up the Nush’aldaam anthem, the doors would open and she would emerge on one side of the landing while Kam would walk out from the other. They would meet at the top of the staircase and descend together.

Normally she would have been terrified that she’d trip half way down the steps and land at the bottom in a heap. But whatever was in that potion Ruth had given her, it was working wonders.

Still, she wondered if the dress was too much. It was sexy and revealing and a thousand light years away from her normal style. She considered asking for a short delay while she went to change.

But then the trumpets blared and the doors opened, and Kam’s eyes landed on her. And she knew in that moment the dress wastotallyworth it.

On the opposite side of the landing, Kam forgot to breathe. He had to consciously force his lungs to inflate as he took in the sight of her. It was only with an effort that he managed to stop his jaw dropping open.

Ren’s heart lifted. Judging by the expression on his face, she looked okay. More than okay. Maybe this night wouldn’t be so bad after all. She stepped towards him and Kam forced himself to move.

By the time they met in the middle, he’d regained his composure.

She curtsied and he bowed.

“Your Majesty,” she murmured. She looked up to see his eyes glinting. “Is there something wrong?”

“Absolutely nothing at all. Not from where I’m standing.”

She didn’t know what to say. He held out his arm and she placed her hand on it. Then they slowly descended the staircase to the crowd of dignitaries below.

“Ren, I…” Kam cleared his throat. “I owe you an apology. I shouldn’t have done what I did earlier.”

“No. You shouldn’t.”

“It won’t happen again.”

“It’s too late. You’ve already spoiled it.”

He frowned.

“Spoiled it?”

“Every girl dreams of her first kiss, do you know that?” She turned and looked him straight in the eye. “But now when I remember mine, it will always be as a victim of your cruel and monstrous game.”

An expression flitted across his face and she was surprised. Was thatshame?And then they reached the bottom of the staircase and were surrounded by dozens of well-wishers.

This was the part Ren had been dreading but to her surprise, she found she rather enjoyed it. There was a whirlwind of introductions and conversations, hundreds of questions to answer. People flocked around her like moths to a flame, keen to speak to the woman who would soon be the new Empress. And Ren was exhilarated by the attention.

Kam was never far from her side and she sensed him watching her, ready to jump in if she started to flounder. But she didn’t need his help. She sparkled. She was vivacious and witty and more importantly, she didn’t say anything stupid or tread on anyone’s foot.

Silently, she thanked Ruth for the potion. Without it she would have been a stuttering wreck.

An hour flew by before she found herself alone with Kam again.

“You seem very relaxed tonight,” he said, handing her a glass of wine. “My guests are all quite taken with you.”

“Were you worried I’d embarrass you?”

“I assumed you’d be nervous.”

“Really?” She threw him a challenging look. “You think you know me?”

“On the contrary. I’m beginning to realise I don’t know you at all.”

“That’s not entirely true. You know exactly how to embarrass and humiliate me.”

His jaw tightened.

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