“And who gave you this punch?” he commanded with all the bristling power in his voice that made her knees wobble.

“Arbor.”

He plucked the drink from her hand. “Do not do anything without my express permission.”

Kerrigan gulped, suddenly feeling like she was on fire. “Yes.”

“What was that?” he asked, dangerous and cold.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Better.”

He dragged a finger across her painted lips and turned away from her, leaving her standing there, bereft, with everyone watching them.

She wished she’d had the drink to cool herself down. It should have been humiliating. It would have been if she’d let herself think on it for more than a second. But mostly, she was wondering where in the gods’ names he kept that carefully bridled command when he was away from court.

“So,” a voice said next to her—another Fae woman dripping in diamonds—“you’re the one he chose.”

Kerrigan didn’t say anything.

“Who knew he could replace Dacia so easily?” the woman mused. Then, she laughed. “Look at your wide-eyed gaze. Gods, the half-Fae are so unbalanced. Dacia was the last girl that he courted, and he’s moved on already.”

Courted? Well, of course he’d courted someone before. She wasn’t sure of his age, but based on their discussions, she assumed he wasn’t as young as she was. Fae could live incredibly long lives. Some only beginning to fade after one or two thousand years. But this woman had made it seem recent.

“You’re adorable,” the woman said, laughing with her friend. “She thinks that he cares for her truly.”

“And after Dacia, of course he went to something easier that he didn’t have to care about,” the friend said. “The poor prince.”

Kerrigan’s face flushed at the words. She didn’t want to, but she couldn’t help it. She’d prepared for half-Fae jabs … not this. Something that hit a little too close to home. Fordham had been with someone else, someone everyone here even knew about, and yet he couldn’t be with her? Was the curse even real? Or was she just someone he’d used to get over the last one?

She took a step back from that thought. This place was vile. It was clouding her judgment, and she couldn’t even show anyone the truth. Without a word, she whirled away from the women and went in search of Fordham. Their laughter trailed behind her, and she blocked it out. But Fordham wasn’t in sight. Where had he gone?

“Hey,” Prescott said, appearing then. “Breathe. What happened?”

“Nothing. Just… I don’t know.”

“Breathe again. Fast inhale, slow exhale.” She took a deep breath as Prescott put his arm around her. He laughed at nothing and gestured to where Fordham was standing with Wynter. “This can’t be easy.”

“It’s fine. These women just brought up… Dacia?”