A chill went up Ithan’s spine, even as his heart lightened. If he could just talk to Connor … He’d thought over and over about what he’d say, but he couldn’t remember any of it.
Hypaxia read whatever lay in his gaze, her face again solemn.
But a bargain was a bargain. Hypaxia lifted both arms, holding the dagger aloft, and began chanting.
Day appeared far down the bridge and stayed there, like she didn’t want to come near him.
Ruhn sat on his couch, forearms on his knees. He’d been reeling from what had gone down in the garden for hours now. Was surprised he’d even fallen asleep in his physical body.
He rushed to her. “I’m sorry I endangered you.”
Day said nothing. Just stood there, burning.
He tried again. “I … It was a really dumb idea. I’m sorry if you showed and I wasn’t there. I got to the garden and the Harpy and the Hind had trailed me, and I think they might have suspected me, or I don’t know, but I’m … I’m so sorry, Day.”
“I was there,” she said quietly.
“What?”
“I saw you,” she said, and stalked forward. “Saw the threat, too. And stayed away.”
“Where? In the garden?”
She came closer. “I saw you,” she said again. Like she was still processing it.
“You came.” He shook his head. “I thought you might not have, and we didn’t talk since we made that plan, and I was worried—”
“Ruhn.” His name on her lips rocked through him.
He shuddered. “You know who I am.”
“Yes.”
“Say my name again.”
She came closer. “Ruhn.” Her flames parted enough for him to get a glimpse of a smile.
“Are you still in the city? Can I meet you somewhere?” It was the middle of the night—but it was the equinox. People would be partying until dawn. But they’d be masked—he and Day could fit right in.
“No.” Her voice flattened. “I’m gone.”
“Liar. Tell me where you are.”
“Did you learn nothing tonight? Did you not see how close we came to disaster? The Asteri’s servants are everywhere. One mistake, even for a moment, and we are dead.”
His throat worked. “When the Harpy came out of the shadows, I thought she was you. I … I panicked for a moment.”
A quiet laugh. “That would have been awful for you? To have me be someone you hate so much?”
“It would take some adjustment.”
“So you do have a notion of what you expect me to be like.”
“I don’t. I just … don’t want you to be her.”
Another laugh. “And you’re a Fae Prince.”
“Does it gross you out?”
“Should it?”
“It grosses me out.”
“Why?”
“Because I’ve done nothing to deserve that title.”
She studied him. “The Autumn King is your father. The one who hurt you.”
“The one and only.”
“He’s a disgrace of a king.”
“You should talk to my sister. I think she’d like you.”
“Bryce Quinlan.”
He tensed at her knowing Bryce’s name so readily, but if she’d been at the party tonight, she’d know without a doubt. “Yeah. She hates my father even more than I do.”
But Day’s flame dimmed. “You’re engaged to Queen Hypaxia.”
He almost laughed it off, but her voice was so grave. “It’s complicated.”
“You danced with her like it wasn’t.”
“You saw me?”
“Everyone saw you.”
That sharpness in her voice … was it jealousy? He said carefully, “I’m not the two-timing sort. Hypaxia and I are betrothed in name only. I don’t even know if we’ll marry. She has as little attachment to me as I do to her. We like and admire each other, but … that’s about it.”
“Why should I care?”
He studied her, then took a step closer, until only a handsbreadth separated them. “I wanted to see you tonight. I spent the entire time watching the clock.”
Her breathing hitched. “Why?”
“So I could do this.” Ruhn lifted her chin and kissed her. The mouth beneath the fire was soft, and warm, and opened for him.
Flaming fingers twined through his hair, tugging him close, and Ruhn slid his arms around a slim, curving body, hands feeling her ample backside. Fuck yes.