He did give me a gift. A gift I’m wearing in my hair as we speak. My stomach flutters as my gaze drifts over Ever’s strong back while he hefts a jug from the cart all by himself. “What would happen if he gave me a gift?” I force through dry lips.

“Then it means he accepts your offer of courtship.”

I gave him food. He gave me flowers.

Am I unknowingly courting an Unseelie fae?

I do not wish to be your friend.

This is not over.

Bloomin’ hell. I think I am.

What’s more, the idea of being properly courted by Ever makes me giddier than it probably should.

A hand slips around my wrist. Ronan tugs me back to where the rest of the Seelie are watching, a crimson flush painting his jaw and neck.

When I try to pull from his grip, his blunt nails bite into my skin. “Let me go, Ronan.” I might as well be talking to the bloody cobblestones for all the attention he pays me. “I said⁠—”

He whirls on me, his blown-out pupils reflecting the fae lights strung above us. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”

I flinch at the venom in his tone. How dare he speak to me in such a vile way.

“I’ll not have my woman cavorting with some Unseelie bastard,” he grits through clenched teeth.

“I’m not your woman, and I think I’ve made that perfectly clear.” I wrench my hand, but still, he holds firm. “Let go of me.”

“After I brought you to meet the king and queen, you insist on making a mockery of me?”

“You’re making a mockery of yourself.”

His mouth opens to spew some other hateful remark, but then his head lifts and his eyes widen. I’ve never seen a ghost, but I imagine its complexion would match Ronan’s right now.

A deep voice washes over us, vibrating with barely contained rage. “If you want to keep your hand, I suggest you let the female go.”

Ronan drops me like I’m on fire, stumbling away from where not only Ever stands at my back, but also Maddox and Gryffin as well, hands on the hilts of their bone daggers and vicious smiles on their faces.

Those gathered in the square titter and gasp, retreating farther down the street.

Ever’s lips fall over his sharp teeth, and he looks down at me through solemn eyes. “Are you all right, Kerris?”

Besides the red mark on my wrist and my indignation: “I’m fine.”

“He never should have touched you without your permission.”

The others nod and then fold their hands behind their backs.

They’ve done the same thing every time, and I’ve never been able to figure out why. “Why do you always stand like that?”