Page 47 of Kiss of Ice

“I’ve already apologised for that.”

There it was again. That flicker of remorse. Did he honestly feel bad about what he’d done? Hm. Maybe she could work that to her advantage. She tilted her head.

“There’s a way you can make it up to me.”

“Oh?”

“You can give me the favour you promised.”

He frowned.

“The favour?”

“I won the bet. I broke your record on horseback. You owe me a boon.”

“I never agreed to that.”

“You’re not going to give me one teeny tiny favour? Even after what you did to me?”

She met his gaze unflinchingly and he narrowed his eyes. Gods be damned, she was playing on his guilt. Where had this new feistiness come from?

“Fine,” he said at last. “I’ll grant you a favour. Whatever you want. Happy now?”

Ren drained her wine glass and gave him a dazzling smile.

“Yes, your Majesty.”

She reached for another glass and Kam raised an eyebrow.

“Go easy on that.”

“Lighten up. It’s my engagement party. It’s not every day a girl gets betrothed to the most wonderful jinn in the empire.”

“Are you mocking me?”

“You catch on fast.”

“I’d advise against it.”

“Why? Will you teach me another lesson, your Majesty?”

Again, her boldness caught him by surprise. He leaned forward to whisper into her ear.

“I like you this way, my ice queen. But just so you know, you’re playing with fire.”

She didn’t get the chance to reply. The herald blew on his trumpet and announced two latecomers to the party. A hush descended in the ballroom as everyone turned towards the door, avid to catch sight of them.

“Her Majesty Queen Raya of the Fae, and Lord Shadeed bin Shamhurish of the Ifrit.”

Again, Ren silently thanked Ruth for her potion. These were the people who had challenged her father for the throne in Kam’s absence. They had every right to despise her and under normal circumstances she would have been shaking with nerves. But for the moment, she was simply curious to find out more about them.

A couple entered the room. The Ifrit was easily seven feet tall, darkly handsome with piercing blue eyes. He was dressed in black and his veneer of power dominated the room. But Ren’s eyes were drawn to the Fae Queen, with her olive skin and raven hair, and she immediately wished she looked like her. The pair saw Kam and headed towards him.

“Your Majesty.” They bowed sombrely. Then they turned to Ren and did the same. A scant second later they were grabbing Kam’s arms and clasping his shoulders in a flurry of smiles and hugs.

“Congratulations, my friend,” said Shade. He nodded courteously to Ren. “And you must be the brave lady who has agreed to take on this reprobate. I trust you will teach him some manners?”

Ren gave a surprised laugh.

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