Page 22 of The Midnight King

“Ridiculous Faerie,” I mutter. “You should have known it would cause you pain. It hurt you yesterday, the first time you touched it.”

“I thought if a kiss worked, the pain would be worth the reward.” He smiles at me, but as his lips stretch, he yells in agony.

“For Fate’s sake.” I roll my eyes. “Don’t smile. Don’t talk. Just make me another dress, and a carriage.”

“You’re so rude,” he murmurs, blinking dark lashes at me. “Even when I’m terribly injured.”

“And you’re pathetic.”

Why is a smile teasing at my heart, demanding to be allowed on my face? If I smile, he’ll smile, and I don’t want him to be in pain. His eyes are already glinting with humor, and another smile is sure to appear if I don’t distract him.

So I provide a distraction by removing my work dress and standing before him in my underthings again. Only this time, after a moment’s hesitation, I remove my chemise as well.

There’s no humor in his eyes now, only a stunned appreciation for my breasts. He stares at them like a man entranced, until I snap my fingers in front of his face. “Wake up! Honestly, don’t they have breasts where you come from?”

“They do.” He swallows. “Yours are better.”

“Ha! A compliment. I get another favor.”

“Granted. Name it.”

“I’ll save it for later, thank you. And now, my gown?”

He rises and snaps his fingers in front of my face, making me blink. When I look down, I’m clad from head to toe in a dress of ivory and gold.

“Have a look,” he drawls, condensing the air in front of me like he did last night, until it is solid enough to reflect me from head to toe.

My blond hair is upswept, held in place by golden pins with amber jewels. My father’s watch and chain are glamoured as a series of delicate golden necklaces and one large yellow diamond. I don’t miss the fact that the neckline of the gown is lower tonight, revealing more of my breasts.

“If you want more coverage, say the word,” comments the Faerie.

It’s uncanny how well he can read what I’m thinking. But I don’t mind the revealing gown, especially since I’m planning to see the King again. The more enticing I look, the more likely he’ll be to let me enter the library vault.

“It’s perfect,” I say.

“Your carriage is outside. It’s pure gold tonight, with gold horses. And I took the liberty of creating the illusion of a driver this time—I overlooked that little detail last night. He is merely a glamour, though. If you speak to him, he won’t answer.”

“I understand.” I swirl back and forth in front of my reflection, enjoying the way the light plays over the rich golden fabric and the foamy lace.

“Listen.” My Faerie godfather steps through the air-mirror, dispelling it. He touches the underside of my chin lightly with his forefinger to get my attention. “The food I gave you acts a little like wine. You won’t lose your inhibitions, but you may feel more daring than usual. Remember to watch the time. Youmustleave by midnight, preferably a little before then. Do you understand?”

“Yes, yes, you explained it all last night.” I do a flourishing curtsy for him. “Now may I go?”

“You may.” He starts to smile with those burned lips, then catches himself. “Have fun. Be a good girl.”

“Never,” I reply over my shoulder, and I start to run outside. But as I open the front door, I realize that my toes are still bare. “You forgot the shoes!” I call.

“Oh fuck,” he replies, and within a split second, my feet are encased in gold heels.

As I dash down the path toward the golden carriage, a silken wrap swirls around my shoulders, protecting them from the cold evening air, and I smile to myself at my Faerie godfather’s consideration. He’s sweet, in more ways than one. And I am more joyous, hopeful, and energetic than I can ever remember feeling before. My weariness, my anger, and my anxiety have faded, leaving enthusiasm and courage in their place.

I feel as if I could take on the world.

8

I enter the ballroom late again, trumpeted by the annoying herald. When he’s finished bellowing my introduction for everyone to hear, I look straight at him and say, “Do you enjoy embarrassing people?”

He shrugs. “Most people enjoy the attention.”