Summer of Frost (Forever Fae #3)(2)
She was ecstatic when I took her cousin as a lover. She wanted us to be a family, but if this was how his love was, I didn’t want any part of it. I wasn’t an expert on affection, but surely it couldn’t be smothering like that. Sarette’s gaze grew sad, the realization dawning on her that what was about to come out of my mouth wasn’t going to be anything reassuring. I couldn’t care less about hurting anyone else’s feelings, but Sarette was like a sister to me, and if I broke things off with Alston it would definitely disappoint her.
Squeezing her hands, I gave her a small smile. “He may love me, Sarette, but I just don’t think I can take anymore,” I whispered to her. “If he wants to back off a bit and just have fun with me that’s fine, but I just don’t see him doing that.” Immediately, and out of nowhere, I could sense a strong presence behind my back. Sarette’s eyes went wide at the same moment I tensed and stood frozen. I cringed, thinking it was probably Alston and he had heard every word I’d said.
My heart began its erratic beating again, and when I slowly turned around to face Alston, I was astounded to see that it wasn’t him standing there, but someone else. The man before me was not only lethal and sexy, but he happened to be the Summer Court prince, Drake. His bright, red hair reminded me of the sun on a hot summer day, or better yet, the fire of the dragon inside of him. However, I didn’t let his charm sway me. His smoky, gray eyes bore into mine, and when he noticed I didn’t melt under his gaze, he tilted his lip up in an arrogant smirk, clearly amused. Cocky bastard.
“Good evening, Princess Sorcha. I don’t think we’ve actually been formally introduced,” he expressed regally, bowing slightly. “I’m Drake.”
“I know who you are,” I replied blandly. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”
He beamed. “Good things, I hope.”
“Not really,” I teased dryly.
Indeed, I’d heard many things about him. He was an arrogant ass that liked to show off his skills anytime he could, not to mention he probably had a million Summer Fae women lined up to enjoy him in his bed. I didn’t know that for certain, but I could only imagine. His life was very secret when it came to women, so needless to say, it drew many speculations. He was ridiculously good looking, and the longer he was in front of me the more I felt a pull to fall into his arms. What the hell was wrong with me?
Laughing, he tilted his head and held out his hand. “How about we dance, and you can tell me all about what you heard. I guarantee most of it isn’t true.”
I glared at his hand, and then back up to his face, contemplating if I should accept. Before I could take his hand, Alston pushed his way between us, anger emanating off of him in strong waves. “How about you find someone else? Sorcha is with me. I’m sure you’ll find another Winter Fae that would be happy to cool your bed.”
For a second, I stood there frozen and speechless. In a way, I wanted to see what Drake would do, but I also didn’t want to see them fight. It would cause unwanted problems that we didn’t need. Slow, and with determination, Drake took a step closer to Alston, standing almost nose to nose with him. “So … she’s with you, huh?”
“That’s right,” Alston growled.
A wolfish grin spread across Drake’s face. He raked his heated gaze down my body quickly, before laying his deadly gray eyes back on Alston. “Keep telling yourself that,” he retorted.
Alston clenched his fists, ready to strike, when Drake gracefully backed up and bowed his head slightly at me, never swaying his eyes from mine. “Maybe next time, Princess Sorcha,” he murmured, his voice low and seductive.
Out of all my years of always having a smart ass comeback or something witty to throw out, that moment was one of the times I couldn’t form words. Alston snaked his arm around my waist, pulling me close, and for that second in time I didn’t care. Nothing existed except me and Drake as he backed up slowly, both of our gazes never wavering from each other’s. He winked at me before leaving the ballroom, and once he was out of sight, everything immediately returned to normal. My heart beat regularly while everyone came back into focus, and that meant Alston and Sarette’s angry glares.
I knew then that everything was going to change after that night. Drake had captured my attention, and I was determined to find out more.
“Enough!” I yelled, my voice carrying out over the expanse of the field.
The warriors were on the training grounds battling it out, but they stopped at my command. They bowed before gathering their weapons and clearing the field with haste. They’d been training since sunrise, and I knew they needed their rest. I had to make sure they were ready for when the time came for Ariella’s Guardian Ceremony, where they would combat each other for the right to be her guardian.
Light footsteps approached from behind, and I wasn’t surprised to see that it was my sister, Ariella, who had taken place by my side. While she searched over the retreating warriors, I could see the mischievous glint in her eyes, and the wheels turning in her head.
“Whatever you have planned, little sister, I can already tell you it won’t be wise,” I informed her in my most serious tone, even though I knew I was wasting my breath.
She laughed, but I could hear the deceptive tone underneath. “Oh, Drake, when will you get it through that thick dragon skin of yours that I always follow through with my sneaky plans? It’s what gives me purpose in life.”