I lean against a wide marble pillar, a beautiful earthy tone in the warm light of the ballroom. The opposite wall is lined with floor to ceiling windows, with elegant red velvet curtains draped over them. Flowers in tall vases line the room, and Fae carrying flutes of alcohol wander through the crowds. I close my eyes and wipe my palms on my skirts.
When I open them, I expect to find Altair in front of me, with a clever remark or an apology. But he isn’t there. My brows twitch together as I scan the crowd. I see him on the dance floor, spinning a beautiful Fae woman in a rose blush gown. She makes eye contact with me and I bite my lip as I see her bright turquoise eyes.
Jealousy wells in my chest as I watch her head tilt back with laughter. Altair smiles and murmurs something else to her. I prick my fingers with the nail of my thumb and force myself to turn away. I don’t understand what this feeling is.
The Fae pay no attention to me as I wander along the fringe of the crowd towards the refreshment tables. There’s a fountain of wine on one and I watch curiously as a Fae man dips his goblet directly into it. I shrug and follow suit, filling my goblet to the brim. I need wine. A lot of wine.
I sip it slowly, trying to appear delicate and confident instead of the nervous wreck that I am. A man appears at my side, dressed in forest green. He bows sharply and then grins at me. “You must be the Key,” he says.
“Verity,” I say hesitantly, extending a hand.
He takes it and presses one of my knuckles to his lips. “A pleasure to meet you, Verity.”
“I’m sorry, I don’t know your name,” I say, fishing. He’s handsome, in a more angelic way than Altair.
“Thalamain.” He smiles. “My friends call me Thal.”
“Then I’ll call you Thalamain until we become friends.” I lift my cup, half-empty now.
His smile broadens. “Any friend of my cousin is a friend of mine.”
“Your cousin?” I arch a brow.
“Altair,” he says simply.
My lips quirk into a surprised smile. “Altair is your cousin? I can’t imagine what it was like growing up with him.”
He laughs loudly, drawing the attention of a few nearby Fae. “He’s always been a little monstrous, believe it or not.”
“I believe it,” I murmur into my goblet.
“Do you?” Altair asks, his chest brushing against my shoulder. I grimace, meeting Thal’s eyes. He grins at me, clearly enjoying the moment. “I see you’ve met my cousin.”
“Altair, good to see you,” Thal says, reaching for Altair.
They embrace, clapping each other on the back. “And you.” Altair grins and ruffle Thal’s long black hair. “You look like a rogue.”
“What can I say, the women seem to find it charming,” Thal says wickedly. He grows serious, gripping Altair’s arm tightly. “It is good to see you, cousin. It’s been too long.”
Altair clenches his jaw, the muscle throbbing, and nods. “It has.”
Thal turns to me, the grin returning to his face. “And I suppose we have this woman to thank for it.”
“It’s not every day abductees are thanked for their presence,” I say, taking another sip of my wine.
Thal and Altair are silent, their brows arched in surprise. Altair’s lips quirk into a smile just as Thal barks out a laugh. “Careful cousin, I may have to steal her from you. I like this one.” His green eyes rake over me.
“Ignore him,” Altair says, smiling. “He’s a drunk fool.”
“It’s a special occasion.” Thal lifts his glass. “My reclusive cousin has finally emerged into the public eye without the feathers.”
“Verity, a dance?” Altair asks, shoving Thal aside playfully.
Thal chuckles and strides away towards a group of Fae women clustered together in the corner. I cock a brow as he bows charmingly. Altair follows my gaze and purses his lips. He plucks the wine from my hand and passes it off to a servant, ignoring my protests.
“If you like him so much why don’t you drag him away from those women,” Altair snaps.
I scoff and march towards the fountain to get another glass, but Altair stops me, his hand gripping my wrist. He tugs me towards him and into his arms. I squirm, trying to pull away bit his arms are tight around me.
“Verity,” he says, his voice low, seductive.
I still, my heart pounding loudly in my chest. So loud I know he can hear it. The sound of my name slipping so smoothly from his lips has my skin on fire. “What?” I ask, though it doesn’t sound as harsh as I intended.
“I,” he begins before halting. He grinds his teeth in frustration, glowering. “Never mind.”
“What?” I whisper, surprise lilting my voice as his arms fall away. I feel cold now.
He clears his throat. “Dance with me, please.”
I narrow my eyes. “What happened to the blue-eyed Fae from before? You seemed quite taken with her. I’m sure she’ll dance with you again.”
“What woman?” His brows furrow and then recognition sparks in his eyes. “It’s only polite that I dance with several woman throughout the night.”
“Well then you should probably continue your rounds.” I gesture broadly at his guests.
“Perhaps later,” he says, and I recognize the stubborn edge to his voice. “But for now, I would like to dance with you.”
My heart flutters in my chest at his words. “Fine.”
“Don’t sound so elated,” he says teasingly, holding a hand out for me.
I take it, ignoring the way my blood sings when he wraps his fingers around mine. “I never pegged you for the type that needs your ego stroked,” I say, following him through
