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He sounded almost…jealous, which didn’t make sense. “You should be nicer to her.”
“And why is that?” he asked, arm still extended.
“She’s your family.”
His brows nudged together. “So?”
“Not everyone is so lucky.” I didn’t know why I was bothering. It was clear that Gage was blinded by his overly inflated ego.
But something flickered in his eyes at my answer. “Come on. I need a drink.”
I blinked. “So, go get one.”
That thing prickled and sharpened at the back of my neck.
He smirked. “You were saying?”
“Don’t even think about it.” I thrust my arm through his, keeping the rest of my body as far from his as possible. “I guess you don’t need to do a caveman impression. You are one.”
“Delightful,” he muttered as we made our way to the next chapter of this nightmare.
We wound our way through the crowd, Gage nodding at others as we passed but not pausing to talk to any of them. Many dipped their heads in slight bows, their eyes following us through the room. So much for avoiding attention.
“What exactly are you?” I murmured as I caught them whispering behind our backs.
“Fae,” he said tightly, as if he didn’t enjoy being here, either.
“I know that.” I frowned at him, even if I was still processing that fact. “Why are they staring at you?”
“Perhaps they’re staring at you.” His voice lowered. “The glamour suits you.”
My head whipped toward his. He couldn’t be serious. What happened to you’ll do? “Don’t flirt with me.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it,” he said smoothly, aiming us toward the back of the room, away from anyone else. “It’s simply called a compliment. No need to get testy.”
“Testy?” He had not just said that. “I suppose I should be honored to hang on your arm?”
He paused to cast a sharp look at me. “It’s not exactly an insult to be seen with the Prince of the Nether Court.”
I lost my footing, but he was quick to right me, not even breaking stride as we continued to move through the room. Prince? I mouthed the word like I was chewing on it, not sure how it might taste. My confidence in my plan faltered. How was I going to kill a prince?
No choice.
Gathering myself back together, I forced my features into indifference. “I guess that explains your unearned arrogance.”
Darkness flashed in his eyes, but he leaned closer, so close that his lips nearly brushed my ear, his breath ghosting across its shell, sending goosebumps rippling along my arms. “It’s not unearned, princess.”
I jerked away from him, from the heady rush his nearness sent charging through me, and regarded him with cold eyes. “Stop calling me that.”
“Would you prefer queen?” Laughter coated his voice.
“Don’t even think about it,” I warned.
“I believe that means I can call you whatever I want.” He chuckled at my glare. “Besides, I don’t think there’s a more fitting title for you. Not when you give orders so boldly. You’ll need that courage to survive here.”
It was almost another compliment, but I wasn’t about to let it go to my head. I couldn’t afford to let him get to me in any way. Because I suspected the thing that would be hardest to survive about the Nether Court was its prince himself. That was exactly why he couldn’t live, so letting him charm me… I couldn’t.
“But if you like, I could call you something else. Gertrude, perhaps?”