“I’m not very good with alcohol. Ask Ricco,” she laughs. “The first time we were together, I literally almost fainted at his feet.”
“And that’s how you caught him? I need to learn some seduction tricks,” Jazmina says.
I didn’t even notice she had come closer.
Seduction tricks for what? All she has to do is breathe to be sexy.
And then another thought hits me: who the hell does she want to be sexy for?
“I don’t know—did I?” Luna asks, smiling at her boyfriend.
“What do you need seduction tricks for?” I cut in, my mood tanking again.
“You never know. Maybe I’m trying to become a conqueror. Although,” she says, glancing from Ricco to Luna, “the soldiers are being taken down fast. Kaled and Abdar married. Ricco in a serious relationship . . .but look at you, still single, Rodrick.”
I hear Luna smother a laugh, but I don’t see anything funny in that shit.
“You don’t need to learn how to seduce anyone, princess,” I shoot back, pissed as hell. “When the time comes for you to get married, it’ll be to someone chosen by your father.”
I know that isn’t entirely true. Even though there’s a huge chance her marriage will involve political alliances, I doubt ex-Sheikh Kamran or Kaled would force her to marry someone she doesn’t want. Whoever the lucky bastard ends up being, I’m sure she’ll have the final word, even if the candidates come pre-selected by the men in her family.
“I’mnevergetting married,” she says, practically daring me.
“Well, I will someday, and I’ll wear a wedding dress so long the train will reach the moon,” Ricco’s girlfriend adds, apparently trying to defuse the tension, but instead it creates an awkward silence.
She doesn’t seem to notice and extends her hand toward Jazmina. “Now, come dance with me? I’m dying to.”
And just like that, they walk away while I follow her with my eyes, since I can’t follow her physically. Judging by the way she looked at me, I’m probably the last person she wants around.
After a few more minutes with Ricco, I decide to move around.
I spot Vicenzzo off to the side, talking to Josephine. I didn’t even know they knew each other, but it doesn’t seem like a friendship—they both look pretty heated.
I take a few more steps and there she is. It’s like life is mocking me, waving the woman I want right in front of me while the ones I’m supposed to be interested in, even on a purely strategic level, stir absolutely nothing in me.
For the first time since the party started, Jazmina is alone again, staring out at the sea, and I’d give a chunk of my fortune to know what she’s thinking.
I walk toward her, and as if sensing me, she turns at that exact moment.
We stare at each other from about fifteen feet away, and maybe because I caught her off-guard, there’s no anger in her expression, but rather, something I can’t name.
We both begin to move closer, but someone steps between us.
Davina Gordon.
For fuck’s sake.
“Rodrick, we’ve barely spoken tonight.”
That’s because I didn’t invite you, miss.
I’ve just decided both women are off the list. Athol will have to start from scratch.
Besides, right now? I want that whole damn list to go to hell, along with the dukedom title.
“Excuse me,” I say, swallowing down my irritation.
“Oh, don’t go yet,” she says, placing her hand on my chest to stop me.