“Really?” I had kissed other men besides Alrec. Not many, but a few. And I knew for a fact that Alrec had been unruly in his younger years. “You were never tempted?”
“I never said that.”
Had he been tempted to kiss Lady Whitney? I couldn’t bring myself to ask.
“Every time a certain silver-haired fae came to the castle, I found myself incredibly tempted. Unfortunately for me, she was engaged to someone else.”
The song ended, and he led me through the cheering crowd to the foot of the dais where a servant waited for us with two fresh glasses of champagne. Caiman removed both from the gold tray and handed me one before leaning in close. “As soon as it is appropriate to leave, I plan on stealing you away from all these people and picking up where we left off.” He straightened and took a sip of champagne, dark eyes burning through mine. “Does my queen have any objections?”
I drank the whole lot, the bubbles fizzing in my throat. “Far be it for me to go against my king’s wishes.”
Lord Kerrington asked me to dance next. I didn’t particularly want to but knew the night would go faster if I kept moving. My heart leapt in my chest as I watched Caiman walk through a gauntlet of beautiful women, paying them no attention whatsoever.
You’re the only woman I’ve kissed. . .
There was something sacred about the confession. Knowing the intimate moments we would share had been shared with no one else.
Kerrington took my hand, settling it on his shoulder.“You look different.”
“Do I?”
The music began, slow at first before picking up pace.
“Don’t tell me you’re falling for our stone king. Are fae hearts truly so fickle?”
My steps stilled. The couples closest to us swerved, barely avoiding a collision. My heart was not fickle. It had been broken and betrayed and was only now beginning to heal. “I loved Alrec.”
“From the way you were kissing his brother, it would appear otherwise.”
I pulled my hand free. “What takes place between my husband and me is none of your concern.”
“Best have a care, my queen,” Kerrington murmured. “The heartless block of granite you married is willing to crush anyone who gets in his way.”
“It’s you who should take care, Lord Kerrington. Your queen is willing to do the same.”
I left him gawking in the middle of the floor, darting between dancing couples, through the buzzing crowd, and out into the much quieter hall.
Courtiers tucked into alcoves shared whispers. Couples kissed in the shadows. Flickering candlelight from the wall sconces reflected off abandoned glasses of champagne on the windowsills.
How dare Kerrington say such horrible things to me. I’d thought we were friends. He should be supporting my decisions, or at least trying to understand them. Another foolish mistake. It was beginning to feel like the only person I could rely on was my husband.
Quick footsteps at my back left me whirling, expecting to see Kerrington.
Instead, I found my husband. “Is everything all right?”
It wasn’t, but having him near made me forget about everything else. I caught his collar, dragging him forward to sample the champagne still lingering on his tongue. His fingers threaded in my hair, holding me as close as our bodies would allow.
Are fae hearts truly so fickle?
Kerrington’s accusation struck like a blow to the heart. Did Caiman think me fickle as well? The backs of my eyes burned with unshed tears.
When I stepped back, Caiman refused to release me. “Roisin, what’s wrong?”
“I’m sorry.” I dashed at the tears falling down my cheeks. “I don’t even know why I’m crying.”
Liar.
Hadn’t I learned the consequences of keeping such things to myself? “It’s Alrec,” I confessed, hating the way he stiffened at the sound of his brother’s name. “I feel as if I am betraying him.”