Page 186 of The Edge of Darkness

“But it would be oh-so-delightful if you did.” I couldn’t keep my sarcasm out of the remark. I’d told her she looked beautiful and she just . . . shut down. This was exactly the thing I wanted to avoid, and even though I’d tried to go about it as gently as possible, I’d somehow still ended up here, under her icy stare as she pulled away.

“Maybe if you weren’t such an arrogant bastard, I’d be more inclined to accept your compliment.”

Arrogant? I compliment her and she thinks I’m arrogant?

I let go of her hand and waist, letting her stumble backward. For a moment, both of us stood there, staring at each other in silence. I didn’t say another word. Maybe I was the fool for saying anything in the first place.

She finally turned on her heel and disappeared into the throng of dancing couples nearby, leaving me there, looking like an idiot. I balled my hands into fists, trying to figure out what the hell had just happened.

The same fae female stepped into my line of sight, balancing her tray of ale in front of me. Whether she’d just witnessed the entire encounter and felt sorry for me, or Niall did, I didn’t care anymore. I snatched up two mugs and lifted them high in the air in a mocking salute to whoever was watching. Then I set off to find Remic.

I found him a few minutes later, spinning Auren around the field under the multitude of orbs. He was laughing—they both were. And his wings were more relaxed than I’d seen in a long time.

Good. I was glad that he was enjoying himself.

“Not a word,” I said as I stepped up to Niall’s side.

“Damn, the song hasn’t even finished—” He stopped short when I glared at him. “Fine, fine.” He eyed my rather aggressive consumption of ale but kept the rest of his comments to himself.

Silas was with Vanir, surrounded by a whole host of females, all of whom were laughing at something the Dionach said. He was still sipping on ale too, which meant he hadn’t forfeited and lost the game.

Niall held Remic’s mug, so I knew he was still in the game too.

Excellent.

The longer I stood in silence, the longer Nivelle’s words began to eat at me.

Finally, I turned to Niall. “Am I arrogant?”

He nearly spit out his drink as he swung his gaze to me. “Are you seriously asking me that question?”

“Yep.”

“Well, I’d say you’re one of the most arrogant males I know.”

“Fuck, Niall, you know you can lie every now and then to make someone feel better, right?”

“Since when did being arrogant ever bother you?”

I couldn’t help but laugh. He was right. So maybe I was arrogant. But I didn’t think I’d been that way around Nivelle. I’d only been giving her what she gave me—attitude and snark.

Perhaps that was where I was at fault.

Then again, I’d just tried an entirely different approach and failed miserably.

“I’m just trying to figure some shit out.”

“Mmm. And how’s that going for you?”

“Fan-fucking-tastic.”

Remic stumbled his way over to us, a contented grin on his face. The thin braid Auren had woven into his hair earlier today was still there, swinging against his cheek.

Auren followed on his heels, smiling all the same. “There you are! Thought we’d lost you.”

Remic glanced around. “Where is Nivelle?”

“Grieving my dancing skills,” I said, not bothering to hide my irritation.