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The world halts.

Applause erupts from the courtyard, telling me my distraction has run out.

Glancing down and seeing my skin welting, I wait to sense if the chill comes back. When it doesn’t, I find myself amused and in debt to this little bit of pain.

I apply pressure over the burn, blowing on it with my breath, hoping to prevent the tightening sting I will feel for the next few days.

The sounds of music resume in the ballroom, and guests returning echo down the hall.

I look to the night sky once more, sending a prayer of gratitude to the Makers for saving me from disaster.

I back away from the threshold, my posterior making contact with something hard.

4

Attraction is Maddening

Instinctively, I shield my face as I stumble forward.

But when I don’t meet the ground, I glance down, noticing hands that are not mine wrapped around my waist. I am quickly twisted, and my vision plays catch-up as I come face to face with the mysterious man from earlier.

Not who I was expecting to run into.

His ice-cold eyes survey me darkly as a rich cologne drowns my senses.

I stumble through each inhalation of his intoxicating scent. “F-Forgive me, my lord.”

He squeezes my sides quickly, helping me upright. The warmth from his touch expands from my waist downward.

I brush my hands on my dress, trying to conceal my skin heating.

Calm yourself, Tove.

As I tug my dress and sweep the fabric, I catch the man’s shoes, noticing the dark stain surrounding the edges. Lifting my brows, I wonder who arrives at a ball with stained boots?

His low, sultry voice pulls me from my question.

“I’m glad I was able to save you, My Queen.” He blatantly scans my full body, blue eyes lingering on my chest and hips before returning to my gaze.

I copy him, not letting my intimidation by him deter me.

“Yes,” I say in my cold voice, but I ease my tone a bit, gambling on letting a little vulnerability through. “Thank you for that. I would have been in trouble.”

A crooked smirk appears with a perfect dimple pierced in the side of his cheek. “You are the queen, right?”

“Yes?” I am unsure of where he is going with his question.

He looks around before leaning in, waving at me to do the same, as if he were wishing to share a secret.

I oblige him, dipping my head slightly.

His voice, so soft and dangerous, whispers, “Then, who would you be in trouble with?”

A snort breaks out, and I cover my mouth when his eyes widen in surprise.

Sweet Makers, I should not have let that laugh slip.

I should go back to the party and find Niko. Or maybe I should make a run for my room now to save me from causing any more disasters around this man and anyone else this evening.