Court of Winter (Fae of Snow & Ice, #1)(78)

But I would never be able to witness my parents grow old. Their joy had been snuffed out when their lives had been taken too early.

Memories of my parents stirred that slumbering anger in me again. While the prince had not been cruel to me and had even shown me kindness and apologized for their deaths, he’d also taken me for one reason and one reason only—to enslave me to do his bidding.

My fingers curled more tightly around my glass. I brought the flute to my lips as my gaze traveled over the dancers and fae mingling in the room, to the throne that perched atop the ball like a bird peering down from the sky. The king and queen, while sitting beside one another, never spoke, touched, or so much as glanced at one another.

“Is there no love between them? Has no affection ever bloomed?”

A strained look overtook Nuwin’s features as his lips thinned. “No, there is no love. Or affection. My mother, she’s—” He looked as though he wanted to say more, but then he shook his head. “We should dance. The floor is so crowded none of the observers will see us if we drift toward the center.”

I brought a hand to my throat, to the necklace’s cool metal and smooth pendant. “I don’t want to draw any more attention to myself.”

I’d already had too much to drink, but my thoughts were still clear enough to remember the warnings from Daiseeum and the cagey way the prince had acted prior to me entering this room, and I also knew at any moment that clarity could slip. Alcohol was swimming through my veins.

“I think I’m done with this.” I deposited my champagne flute on a tray floating by.

Nuwin gave me an appeasing smile. “I know you don’t want attention drawn to yourself, but fae are drinking and preoccupied, and my brother isn’t here yet. I’ve bided us enough time to at least enjoy a dance or two. Might as well make the most of it while you’re free of him.” He bowed with a flourish. “Dance with me, Ilara Seary, daughter of Mervalee Territory.”

I sighed. “Oh, all right.”

Nuwin swept me away, guiding me through the crowd of onlookers surrounding the dance floor.

As soon as those we’d passed realized that the wingless female the prince had hidden away was back, whispers erupted. Females tittered behind their cupped hands as more and more became aware that I’d returned. The males were just as bad. Some were even leering, as though they truly believed I was a courtesan, and when the prince tired of me, they could be next in line.

I bristled but kept my head held high. Now that everyone in the room seemed to know of my return, perhaps Nuwin was right. We could at least enjoy ourselves.

We reached the edge of the dance floor, and my heart beat harder as throngs of silks, brocades, and sheer gauzes whipped by our legs as the females twirled about. Half of the dancefloor was filled with voluminous dresses that were so wide they took up three times the space of a single female. Only a handful were dressed in slimmer styles like mine. My gown drifted around me, moving and sliding across my skin like water.

“Ready?” Nuwin’s arm curled around my waist, and then we were off.

He glided us effortlessly into the swell of winged bodies with light footsteps. I’d never learned royal dances, and I mumbled an apology when I stumbled across his toes, but Nuwin just pulled me closer until I was flush against his chest, and then he leaned down and whispered, “I’ll lead. Just keep your steps light and smile. Everyone’s watching.”

I hissed in a breath. “I thought you said they wouldn’t see me from the middle.”

“They won’t. Once we get there.”

True to his word, he twirled me toward the center of the floor, dancing and spinning us through the crowd of swirling fae. He was an excellent dancer and lifted me just enough that my feet still touched the floor but barely held any weight.

“You’re quite strong,” I commented when we finally reached the center. Only those of great height or standing on the stairs by the throne could easily see us. “You’re practically carrying me.”

“Norivun’s not the only one with strength.” He flashed me a grin and continued to carry me about the room as though I weighed nothing at all.

Music rose and fell in continued hypnotic swells, and I allowed myself to be swept into the rhythm, relying less and less on Nuwin carrying my weight as I learned the footsteps and followed the beat.

Whispers followed me, but I didn’t care. The champagne had truly latched onto me, and out here on the floor, nobody was cornering me or trying to engage me in conversation. It was just me and the music.

“You’re a natural,” Nuwin said softly, his grin speaking volumes as lightheadedness buzzed in my mind.

Swirling sensations roiled within my belly, as though a charge of energy was building with each spin and dip as Nuwin and I moved faster and faster and faster.

Nuwin’s lips tugged down. “Your aura is . . .” He cocked his head.

“What was that?”

“I said your aura is—”

“Mind if I cut in?” A noble with curling white hair and a red tunic appeared at Nuwin’s side. He was the same male who’d been in the hall before I’d entered the throne room. The youngest prince’s hands were still wrapped around my waist as the melody continued, but the noble stayed at our side, moving to the beat.

“What do you want, Michas?”