He turns away and storms into the bar without a single word.
34
Rosalina
IfollowDaytonintothe fae bar. It’s like nothing I’ve ever seen before.
Stone tables and elegant marble columns fill a large open-air room. There’s a shallow pool with a fountain and lily pads in the middle. Beautiful fae wade through it, holding tall sparkling drinks, chatting and laughing.
The breeze hits my exposed skin, and I suddenly feel like I’m on display as fae eyes fall on me. It’s like they’re dissecting me. My cheeks flush.
“Come on,” Dayton grumbles and grabs my wrist, dragging me through the crowd. “I didn’t sign up to babysit you all night.”
I sneer up at him, trying to escape the hard pressure on my wrist. “I don’t need your help now. We’re here.”
He brings me to a stunning table right by a railing. I look over the edge to see the ocean splashing up against the side of the building. In the center of our table, there’s a candle in the shape of a mermaid’s tail.
My breath hitches as I gaze upon the fae prince. His white tunic fits closely to his hard body, and loose brown trousers leave little to the imagination. His only adornment is his seashell necklace that caresses his chest, and a short sword hanging from his belt. Even without the gilded finery of a prince, fae around us swoon in appreciation of Dayton’s perfect form. Though his clothing is plain, his beauty radiates from within, igniting an undeniable spark.
“Wait here,” he says and stands. “Don’t move.”
I nod bitterly, but he returns a moment later with a bottle of sparkling pink wine and two glasses.
“Fae wine isn’t like your stuff back home. It’s powerful, and depending on who bottles it, it can have different effects,” he explains as he pours. “Especially on humans. So have a few sips and see how you do.”
“I can hold my liquor,” I flat out lie to him, remembering the last drink I had being half a bottle of beer alone last New Year’s Eve before I passed out at eleven-thirty. “You worry about yourself, and I’ll worry about me.”
He tilts his head. “Whatever you say, love.”
“Do you think anyone noticed I left with you?” I ask, grabbing my glass.
“I doubt it.” A strand of light hair falls across his blue eyes. “Does playing the rebel make you nervous?”
Marigold and Astrid had said they would cover for me as best they could. Though I don’t think it will be a problem. Farron and Ezryn have both left, and the stupid, pig-headed, stubborn Winter Prince never leaves his freaking room, so no one will know or care I’m not there for a single night.
But all I can do is nod and take the first sip of my wine. I give a little gasp as it slides down my throat. This is like nothing I’ve ever tasted before. Bubbly and sweet, with a hint of sourness, a delicate flavor with notes of honey and ripe apples.
“Shit, this is delicious.” I smile before taking another long swig. “Is this what sparkles taste like?” The finish is refreshing, almost effervescent, making me feel like butterflies are fluttering in my stomach.
Dayton clinks his glass against mine. “Here’s to a night of drinking, dancing, and finding a damn good lay.”
I blush before drinking deeply.
“That’s what you came out for, isn’t it?” Dayton asks. “Not to spite a certain frosty prick?”
“I don’t want to think about a single cold thing right now!” I close my eyes and tilt my head back, inhaling the warmth in the air. “We’re in the Summer Realm, after all.”
“We are,” Dayton says, then his voice lowers. “Although, I have to say there is something about you that surprises me.”
“Something about me?”
“You talk a lot about wanting to go back to your father.” His blue gaze is intense. “But are there no man’s arms you’re itching to return to?”
I clasp a hand over my left wrist and squirm in my seat, suddenly uncomfortable. “Well, actually…”
“Who is he?” Dayton asks, and I can’t tell if it’s curiosity or anger in his words.
“His name is Lucas. We’ve been on and off since I was fifteen, but I think it’s serious now. Super serious.” I take a deep breath. “Or at least it could have been, if I hadn’t been imprisoned by the fae.”