"Anyway, thank you for allowing me to have a lilywolf tiger," Rhyland says to Faraelee in a curt tone. "I know it's against the rules, so I appreciate the favor."
"Anything for the vampire king and queen." She smirks. "Although, I think it deserves a kiss."
At first, I think she means Rhyland should give her a kiss, but then I notice she's looking at me.
"You want me to kiss you?" I ask in surprise.
She laughs, throwing her head back. "Faeries, no. No offense, I'm just not into vampires. On a romantic level, anyway." She collects herself. "I was actually thinking you should give your king a kiss for giving you such a wonderful gift." She gives Rhyland a strange look I can't decipher.
"Oh." Heat combust across my cheeks as I glance at Rhyland, hoping he doesn't agree with the queen.
But then I remember what he said about pretending we're Proclaimed, so I lean forward and give him a quick peck on the lips. When I start to pull away, he slips his arm around my waist, pressing me closer, his lips quivering against mine.
"I can't even … " His breath falters against my mouth as his hand quivers against my back. "I don't know … " He presses his mouth to mine again, his tongue parting my lips as he kisses me slowly but deeply, as if every single second our lips remain fused matters.
I try not to think about how this is my first kiss and how I should find a way to pull away. But then he tilts my head back to deepen the kiss, and I'm suddenly kissing him back.
Our tongues tangle, our body chills mixing together and frostbiting my skin. The sensation is wonderful, just like the kiss I experienced in my dreams. No, even better than that.
Perfect. Powerful. Shattering.
Rhyland jerks back, breaking the kiss, blinking dazedly until his eyes come back into focus.
"I'm sorry," he mouths before turning back to the now frowning fey queen.
I blink from the haze spinning through my body. Sorry for what?
"I guess I was wrong." Faraelee gathers the front of her dress in her hands and starts down the path toward where the king is waiting near a massive willow tree. "I had a lovely time tonight." When she arrives in front of the king, she glances over her shoulder. "And Rhyland, I'll be collecting my favor soon." She waggles her fingers as she hikes farther into the night.
I wait until she exits our land through the willow tree, then I glance up at Rhyland. "You offered her a favor?"
Rhyland stuffs his hands into his back pockets and shrugs. "In exchange for the lilywolf tiger. It's not that big of a deal."
"That all depends on what the favor is."
"It hasn't been decided yet."
"That sounds like a dangerous bargain to make with a fey queen. I mean, she's nice, but the fey are known for trickery."
Rhyland lifts his shoulders in a shrug. "That's for me to worry about."
"All for a pet?"
His gaze flicks to mine. "Just a pet, huh? Haven't you been dreaming about getting one since you were seven years old?"
"Yeah, but how do you know that?"
He runs his fingers along the lilywolf tiger's back. "I remember you talking about it."
"That's strange, because I don't remember us being around each other very much. And when I was around you, I barely talked, too afraid you'd make fun of everything I said."
"They're also very protective creatures," he continues, ignoring me. "Especially toward their owners."
"Yeah, I've heard that too." I scratch behind the lilywolf tiger's ear, listening to her purr. "You told me you were going to start telling me more things once the fey king and queen left."
He sighs, pinching the brim of his nose. "I know I did."
"So, maybe you can start by telling me why you seem to know more about me than it feels like you should." And why you kissed me like that.
And why I kissed him back like that.
He removes his fingers from his nose, his eyes locking with mine. "I don't know what to tell-"
"Oh, my stupid bats, will you let me go?" my mom's voice cuts through the night. "I'm her mother, for vampire's sake. And your boss."
A smile breaks across my face as I whirl toward the voice.
My mom is standing near the bottom of the path, waving her finger at Cam while spouting curses. "You better let me through, or else I'm going to-"
"Mom!" I shout, more than happy to see her.
Her gaze snaps to me and her brows pinch when she notices the furball in my arms. "What in Mystic Willow Bay is that?"
"It's a lilywolf tiger," I say, glancing toward Rhyland. "He gave it to me … " I trail off. Rhyland is nowhere to be seen.