Chapter Twenty-Two
Somehow, I was thefirst one dressed and ready for the gala. I had used Whist’s room to prepare while Saber and Sky had disappeared into Sky’s. Hopefully, they were taking some time for themselves. I smoothed the emerald green dress down my torso, my fingers catching in the gold beading.
The front door opened, and I turned, expecting to see Whistler, but the prince came inside. He stumbled to a stop, his eyes widening as he took me in.
“You look absolutely breathtaking.”
I cleared my throat. “Thank you. You look good too.” And he did. He was all golds and pale blues and charm. It almost hurt to look at him, especially with the bond riding me hard, trying to shove me right in his arms.
“Where are the others?” he asked.
I gestured to the closed bedrooms. “Still getting ready.”
His eyes narrowed on my face. “Are you all right?”
I smoothed the dress down my stomach again. “Of course. Why?”
“You look nervous.”
A grimace pulled at my face. “I’m not used to fancy dresses and galas.”
He cocked his hip against the back of one of the chairs. “Is that really all?”
“What else would it be?”
“Perhaps I am making you nervous.” His voice deepened, and he stared at my neck.
I swallowed hard and stared at a spot over his shoulder. “Don’t be foolish. You don’t scare me.”
He took a few steps closer with an almost predatory gait until only a few inches separated us. “I do not wish to scare you. At least not in that way.”
“What way are you talking about?”
“I hope one day you find out.” His fingers glided across the mark from Sky. “Based on this, I am fairly certain you will enjoy it.”
“Don’t freak her out with your weird kinks, prince.” Sky skipped into the room, his smirk in place. “Though what I have for her might rile you up a bit, so try to control yourself.”
I expected Sky’s words to piss Aster off, but he only chuckled and stepped back from me, giving me a chance to breathe again. But my breath escaped me again as I took in my mischievous kindred. He was the midnight blue sky to Aster’s golden sun. A dark blue suit was almost painted on his body it fit him so well, a crisp white shirt stark against it. He and Aster looked like brothers.
“I am not the only one with kinks, my friend.” Aster gestured to my neck. “You have a few of your own.”
“Speaking of, I have something here to take care of that. Sorry, doll. I should have thought about the gala being tonight before I marked you up.”
“I had no complaints.”
Sky’s eyes flashed as he pulled a thick choker from his pocket. It was thick and golden and definitely wide enough to hide the mark along with the high neckline in the back. I turned and lifted my long brown tresses so Sky could fit the choker around my throat, shivering when his fingers brushed my skin.
When I turned back around, Sky and Aster stared at me with matching expressions on their faces. Hunger. Need. Want.
I was desperate to know more about the supposed kinks of theirs. Something I would definitely question Sky about later. I knew Sky was dominant, but usually in a rather playful way.
“She’s trying to figure us out, prince.” Sky whispered the words loudly to Aster.
“I noticed.”
A deep, smoky voice wrapped around me from behind, immediately easing me. “Calm down, love. They’re being assholes. You know all of Sky’s proclivities and the prince here likes to play.”
Sky laughed. “Saved by the knight in shining armor.”
I turned to smile at Saber, relieved at his entry. He wouldn’t tease me until I was a mass of nerves and lust and curiosity. Though his appearance certainly didn’t help matters. He was dressed in a dark blood red suit, the same color as the cloak he’d bought me, a silky black shirt opened at the neck beneath it. He looked sleek and dangerous and utterly beautiful.
“Damn, how are you all so gorgeous?”
Three blinding grins met the words I hadn’t meant to speak aloud. Well, shit.
I threw my shoulders back, determined to barrel through the awkward moment. “Are we ready to get this night over with?”
Their smiles grew in response and the prince held out his arm for me to take. I accepted it with a sigh, fighting the shiver, ignoring the heat and completion I felt at his touch.