The king raises his eyebrows. “What is it you want to know?” he asks.

I shrug. “Whatever it is you want to tell me.”

“I’m an only child,” he starts.

“Me too,” I say, taking another swig of my wine.

He nods. “My mother passed away when I was eight, and my father passed away when I was twenty-two.”

“I’m sorry,” I say, and I mean it. Regardless of who the king is, I can empathize with the pain of losing a parent.

“Thank you,” he says, holding my gaze. In that second, my pulse speeds up. I’m a fly caught in a spider’s web, a moth drawn to flame. He’s pain and death, yet I’m falling into those dark eyes of his. Perhaps he truly is something supernatural if he can coax this response from me.

King Lazuli glances away. “I enjoy playing football—soccer—I sing in the shower—”

I raise my eyebrows. “You sing in the shower?”

The grin that spreads along his face is pure sin. “I can always give you a demonstration, but you’d be required to join me.”

“I think I’ll pass.” I reach for my full glass of wine and take another drink. I glance at it once I pull it away from my mouth. I could’ve sworn I’d almost finished the wine. Those servants of his should double as spies; they’re shadows, slipping in and out of the room, refilling drinks, removing silverware—essentially seeing to our every need.

“How about you?” the king asks, tipping his own glass back.

I chew the inside of my cheek and stare at my wine. “I live in a room with seven other women. This trip is the first time I’ve seen natural light in months, but what I miss the most about the sky are the stars—oh, and I love to swim, even though I haven’t been able to for several years.”

The king holds my gaze. “Would you like to?”

“Like to what?” I ask, drinking more wine.

“Go for a swim. I have a pool.”

My eyes widen, though I shouldn’t be surprised to learn about this. “I don’t have a swimsuit,” I say. What I don’t mention is that it seems wrong to enjoy myself when so many others can’t.

He waves away my concern. “That’s not an issue. Marco can get you one.” The king stands up. “Give me a moment.” He walks out of the room, presumably to talk to one of his servants.

As soon as he’s gone, I eye the door. I could slip out now and return to my room. Where would that leave me, though? No, I need to stick around a little longer.