A few men called to me as I passed. I ignored them all.
Rían bowed low, a performance for those closest to us. When he straightened, his eyes reflected flickering candlelight from the chandeliers. Eyes that weren’t clear but bloodshot and glassy. “Lady Aveen, it is a pleasure seeing you again.”
You can do this. You. Can. Do. This.
“Unfortunately, I cannot say the same,ambassador.”
Chuckling, Rían stepped closer. “Is that any way for the lady of the house to speak to a distinguished guest?”
Distinguished guest, my foot.
Good god. What was that awful smell? I held my gloved hand to my nose to keep the stench at bay. Rían may have looked pristine, but he reeked of booze and perfume. “It is when thedistinguished guestsmells like a bawdy house.”
His eyes flashed. “And how do you know what a bawdy house smells like?”
The ridiculous question didn’t deserve a response. “It’s a wonder you decided to show at all. You were obviously enjoying yourself elsewhere.”
“And have your sister think me rude?” He clicked his tongue. “I wouldn’t want to ruin her high opinion of me.”
She only had a high opinion because she didn’t know the man. And if I had my way, she never would. I lowered my hand to take a sip of champagne, careful not to inhale. “Says the man who showed up to her party drunk.”
“Drunk?” He pressed a hand to his chest. “Such a scathing accusation. I’m sober as a clam.”
Lady Gore watched us from her chair with a bit too much interest, her gout-riddled leg propped on a tufted ottoman.
As thrilling as it was to speak my mind, I refused to be fodder for the biggest gossip in Graystones. “Right. I’d best be off. Enjoy the party.”
I found Keelynn by the cake, chatting and laughing with a few girls her own age. If I wanted my reputation intact tomorrow, I couldn’t stay next to the prince all night. No matter. I could stay beside Keelynn.
Rían fell into step next to me, snagging a glass of champagne from one of the servants carrying trays.
If he insisted on following me, I couldn’t go to her. I needed to go somewhere else. Somewhere like the line of chairs beside the balcony doors. The moment I reached them, I whirled, nearly colliding with his chest. Although chilly, the air outside held warm notes of spring. “Did you need something else, or do you plan on following me all night?”
“That depends . . .” The golden bubbles in the glass floated toward his lips when he took a large gulp.
“On?”
“Whether or not you tell me your wish.”
You can do this.
I propped my hands on my hips, wishing there were some way to make myself look more imposing for this conversation. Oh well. He could look down at me all he wanted. It wasn’t as if I would be seeing him after tonight. “I have decided that I do not want to bargain with you.”
He drew in a deep breath, a smile playing on his lips. “Is that right?”
I nodded. “Yes. And I know you’re not cursed.”
“Am I not? Well, that’s a relief.”
If he wasn’t careful, that sarcasm was going to earn him a glass of champagne turned upside down over his head. “While I appreciate what you did for me yesterday, I did notaskfor your help, so I don’t feel I owe you anything in return. The only reason I’m tolerating your presence tonight is because my sister invited you. So you can take yourself and your wish and find someone else to torment.”
He nodded as he listened, eyes fixed on my mouth. Sipping champagne. Licking it off his perfect lips.
Where had I left off? Oh, right.
Torment.
“I think it’s best if you go your way and I go mine so that people don’t get the wrong idea.”