He touched his lips. “She kissed me.”
“Congrats. From what I’ve heard, you’re one of many. You might want to floss.”
He took a step away from me. “So … what’s new?”
Yeah, this was a great time for awkward small talk with the faery king who hated me. “Irena’s son is here at the party. And I already know him. Small world, or what?”
“I knew her son attended your high school. Chris, right?”
My heart skipped a beat. “You
“Of course.”
My head throbbed, letting me know I wasn’t doing a good job of controlling my stress levels. My Darkling form wanted to burst free and party. “Great. Thanks so much for the heads-up.”
He looked confused. “Is that a problem?”
“Yeah, it kind of is.”
I told him what had happened with Chris in the backyard. Despite my history with Rhys, I still felt desperate to confide in somebody who’d understand.
I showed Rhys the sketch. He studied it carefully before giving it back to me.
“It seems to confirm the second prophecy Irena told you about.”
“I know. So what do you think I should do?” I asked, feeling hopeful in spite of myself that he’d be able to help me out or give me some sage advice.
“Why are you asking me?”
“Because you’re the dragon expert around here.”
“Dragons have scales, you know,” Rhys said pointedly.
I looked at him. “What?”
“Green scales and spiky tails.” He paused and then started to laugh. “Hey, I made a rhyme!”
“What are you talking about?”
“Dragons see the future.” He nodded. “Unless it’s all blurry. Then they just make stuff up, I think.”
“That’s not exactly what I asked you.” I started to feel annoyed with him again. Why was I surprised Rhys was letting me down when I needed his help?
“Sorry.” He grinned. “It’s the wine. I wasn’t sure how it would affect me, but now I see so, so clearly.” He grabbed my shoulders. “Do you see, Princess Nikki? Do you? It’s a strange world here with strange human people and none of it makes any sense to me.”
I pushed his hands off me. “One glass of wine and you’re already drunk? That’s even more pathetic than Larissa.”
“Faery anatomy.” He shrugged. “S’different than humans. We have wine back home. It’s made from strawberries and sunshine and a little bit of magic.”
“Oh, brother.” I rolled my eyes. “This is just perfect.”
“Demons.” He poked me in the shoulder hard enough to hurt.
I was grateful for the loud music. It helped drown out Rhys’s scattered outbursts. “What about them?” I asked cautiously.
He made a face. “Hate ’em.”
“Yeah, so you told me yesterday. Don’t worry. I promise not to infect you with any demon cooties.” I tried to move past him, but he grabbed my wrist to stop me.
“Not you. Don’t hate you. Wanted to. And I sorta do sometimes, but you’re not the one to blame.”
“Blame for what?”
He inhaled deeply and it sounded shaky. “My … my parents.”
I shivered. “I’m sorry they’re gone.”
“They were there one day, and then they weren’t. And I had to become king whether I wanted to or not. My advisers … I don’t think they like me. They respected my father and my mother, but they don’t respect me. Maybe they never will. It makes me feel really alone.” He frowned. “Why am I telling you this?”
“Because you’re drunk and you don’t know any better.”
“Sometimes I don’t want to go back. I wish I could stay here, where it’s easy. Where people are nice. Where it’s safe … unless you’re a frog.”
“You can’t stay?”
He shook his head. “Not for long. I have duties. And my hotel suite — it’s so empty and there are noises at night, but at least nobody bothers me there, asking me to make decisions that affect the entire faery realm. They think I’m the one to blame for everything bad that happens there.”
He looked so dejected by this that I couldn’t help but feel for how lonely he must be. “I can’t imagine it’s easy being a king.”
“Would you want to rule the Shadowlands?”
“No,” I replied honestly.
“If your father was murdered, you’d have to. You’d have no choice. You’re his heir.”
“You’re right,” I said. “I guess I would. How … how did it happen? With your parents?”
His eyes became glossy and he sniffed hard, swiping his hand under his nose. “They went to the Underworld. They were scheduled to have an important meeting with Queen Sephina. The demon who did it was caught and put in the dungeon there so he can be punished, but it doesn’t change anything. My parents are gone forever.” His voice broke.
“I’m so, so sorry.”
Rhys looked on the verge of tears for a moment, and I touched his arm in a weak attempt to comfort him. The contact made him take a big step back from me. I was getting used to guys doing that, attempting to escape me in any way they could. I was trying very hard not to take it personally.
I snatched my hand back. “Sorry.”
He laughed, still sounding tipsy from the wine, but there wasn’t a lot of humor in the sound. “You’re so weird.”
“Me?”
“Yeah.”
“Gee, thanks.”
His smile turned into a scowl. “I really don’t like you.”
I tried not to let his harsh words bother me. “I guess you don’t have to like me.”
“But Irena said that you’re my—”
I cut him off. “I don’t care what she said. You know it’s not true.”
“I know. It’s stupid. All my life — even before what happened to my parents — I’ve been taught to hate demons. They’re evil and ugly and unpleasant.”
I nodded. “Right. So I’m pretty much done with this conversation. I think I’m going to go join the rest of the party. Or maybe I’ll just go home.”
“Why are you going?”
I glared at him. “You just called me evil and ugly and unpleasant. That doesn’t exactly make me want to hang out with you any longer.”
“That’s demons. Not you.”
“I’m half demon.” I sighed. “Why am I even having this conversation with you? You’re drunk.”
He frowned. “Am not.”
“I don’t do well with drunk guys. They tend to do or say things they end up regretting.” I went to walk past him, but he stepped in front of me. I put my hands on my hips. “Move, please.”
The corner of his mouth twitched into a half grin. “Or what?”
“Or I’m going to punch you in the stomach.”
“Violent.”
“Well, I
“Half demon.” Now he was the one reminding me.
“Whatever. Now please move.”
“Well … unfortunately there’s a little problem,” he said.
