Rosalina
I FOLLOW DAYTON INTO the fae bar. It’s like nothing I’ve ever seen before.
Stone tables and elegant marble columns fill a large open-air room. There’s a shallow pool with a
fountain and lily pads in the middle. Beautiful fae wade through it, holding tall sparkling drinks,
chatting and laughing.
The breeze hits my exposed skin, and I suddenly feel like I’m on display as fae eyes fall on me. It’s
like they’re dissecting me. My cheeks flush.
“Come on,” Dayton grumbles and grabs my wrist, dragging me through the crowd. “I didn’t sign up
to babysit you all night.”
I sneer up at him, trying to escape the hard pressure on my wrist. “I don’t need your help now.
We’re here.”
He brings me to a stunning table right by a railing. I look over the edge to see the ocean splashing
up against the side of the building. In the center of our table, there’s a candle in the shape of a
mermaid’s tail.
My breath hitches as I gaze upon the fae prince. His white tunic fits closely to his hard body, and
loose brown trousers leave little to the imagination. His only adornment is his seashell necklace that
caresses his chest, and a short sword hanging from his belt. Even without the gilded finery of a
prince, fae around us swoon in appreciation of Dayton’s perfect form. Though his clothing is plain,
his beauty radiates from within, igniting an undeniable spark.
“Wait here,” he says and stands. “Don’t move.”
Rosalina
Stone tables and elegant marble columns fill a large open-air room. There’s a shallow pool with a
fountain and lily pads in the middle. Beautiful fae wade through it, holding tall sparkling drinks,
The breeze hits my exposed skin, and I suddenly feel like I’m on display as fae eyes fall on me. It’s
“Come on,” Dayton grumbles and grabs my wrist, dragging me through the crowd. “I didn’t sign up
I sneer up at him, trying to escape the hard pressure on my wrist. “I don’t need your help now.
He brings me to a stunning table right by a railing. I look over the edge to see the ocean splashing
up against the side of the building. In the center of our table, there’s a candle in the shape of a
My breath hitches as I gaze upon the fae prince. His white tunic fits closely to his hard body, and
loose brown trousers leave little to the imagination. His only adornment is his seashell necklace that
caresses his chest, and a short sword hanging from his belt. Even without the gilded finery of a
prince, fae around us swoon in appreciation of Dayton’s perfect form. Though his clothing is plain,
I nod bitterly, but he returns a moment later with a bottle of sparkling pink wine and two glasses.
“Fae wine isn’t like your stuff back home. It’s powerful, and depending on who bottles it, it can
have different effects,” he explains as he pours. “Especially on humans. So have a few sips and see
how you do.”
“I can hold my liquor,” I flat out lie to him, remembering the last drink I had being half a bottle of
beer alone last New Year’s Eve before I passed out at eleven-thirty. “You worry about yourself, and
I’ll worry about me.”
He tilts his head. “Whatever you say, love.”
“Do you think anyone noticed I left with you?” I ask, grabbing my glass.
“I doubt it.” A strand of light hair falls across his blue eyes. “Does playing the rebel make you
nervous?”
Marigold and Astrid had said they would cover for me as best they could. Though I don’t think it
will be a problem. Farron and Ezryn have both left, and the stupid, pig-headed, stubborn Winter
Prince never leaves his freaking room, so no one will know or care I’m not there for a single night.
But all I can do is nod and take the first sip of my wine. I give a little gasp as it slides down my
throat. This is like nothing I’ve ever tasted before. Bubbly and sweet, with a hint of sourness, a
delicate flavor with notes of honey and ripe apples.
“Shit, this is delicious.” I smile before taking another long swig. “Is this what sparkles taste like?”
The finish is refreshing, almost effervescent, making me feel like butterflies are fluttering in my
stomach.
Dayton clinks his glass against mine. “Here’s to a night of drinking, dancing, and finding a damn
good lay.”
I blush before drinking deeply.
“That’s what you came out for, isn’t it?” Dayton asks. “Not to spite a certain frosty prick?”
“I don’t want to think about a single cold thing right now!” I close my eyes and tilt my head back,
inhaling the warmth in the air. “We’re in the Summer Realm, after all.”
“We are,” Dayton says, then his voice lowers. “Although, I have to say there is something about
you that surprises me.”
“Something about me?”
“You talk a lot about wanting to go back to your father.” His blue gaze is intense. “But are there no
man’s arms you’re itching to return to?”
“Fae wine isn’t like your stuff back home. It’s powerful, and depending on who bottles it, it can
have different effects,” he explains as he pours. “Especially on humans. So have a few sips and see
“I can hold my liquor,” I flat out lie to him, remembering the last drink I had being half a bottle of
beer alone last New Year’s Eve before I passed out at eleven-thirty. “You worry about yourself, and
“I doubt it.” A strand of light hair falls across his blue eyes. “Does playing the rebel make you
Marigold and Astrid had said they would cover for me as best they could. Though I don’t think it
will be a problem. Farron and Ezryn have both left, and the stupid, pig-headed, stubborn Winter
But all I can do is nod and take the first sip of my wine. I give a little gasp as it slides down my
throat. This is like nothing I’ve ever tasted before. Bubbly and sweet, with a hint of sourness, a
“Shit, this is delicious.” I smile before taking another long swig. “Is this what sparkles taste like?”
The finish is refreshing, almost effervescent, making me feel like butterflies are fluttering in my
Dayton clinks his glass against mine. “Here’s to a night of drinking, dancing, and finding a damn
“I don’t want to think about a single cold thing right now!” I close my eyes and tilt my head back,
“We are,” Dayton says, then his voice lowers. “Although, I have to say there is something about
“You talk a lot about wanting to go back to your father.” His blue gaze is intense. “But are there no
I clasp a hand over my left wrist and squirm in my seat, suddenly uncomfortable. “Well,
actually...”
“Who is he?” Dayton asks, and I can’t tell if it’s curiosity or anger in his words.
“His name is Lucas. We’ve been on and off since I was fifteen, but I think it’s serious now. Super
serious.” I take a deep breath. “Or at least it could have been, if I hadn’t been imprisoned by the fae.”
“Super serious, eh?”
“He asked me to marry him right before I came here.” I tug on one of my braids. “My mundane
human romantic life must seem so boring to you.”
The way he’s looking at me, he doesn’t seem bored. His gaze pierces into mine. But then he laughs,
long and loud. “So, should we expect any ill-fated rescue attempts for our stolen Rose?”
“Ill-fated? You’re confident.” I smile. “Lucas is no fae, but he’s a brilliant hunter.”
“I’ve never lost a fight, Rosie, and my first won’t be to your human.” There’s a dark promise in his
words, one that causes me to shiver, but not from fear.
“Well, I don’t think you have to worry about it.” I take another long drink of my wine, trying to
drown the sinking feeling in my stomach. “Lucas took one look at those goblins and hightailed it back
home. I bet he thinks it was all a bad dream.”
“He left you to the goblins?” Fury rages in Dayton’s words.
“Look, we’d never seen anything like that before,” I say. “I was running too! Unfortunately, I’m
way clumsier and fell into the thorns.”
Dayton chugs the rest of the bottle of wine, but before he can order another, the server places
several more bottles on the table, along with a plate of fruit and nuts and a tankard of foaming ale.
“From the patrons. They wanted to pay their respects to you.”
Dayton gives a thankful wave to the crowd, and wow, I didn’t notice how many eyes were on us. I
guess the Prince is a bit of a spectacle. But Dayton’s attention is still solely on me.
“What about—” I begin, but Dayton cuts me off.
“Tell me more about this Lucas.”
“He’s handsome. Red hair. When we were in high school, he basically had his own fan club. I was
their number one arch-nemesis.” I pour more wine, this one a glittering purple. It tastes like
blackberries and the last rays of light on a summer night. “He’s big on family. Always talks about
getting a house, having kids, y’know the white picket fence dream.”
“Are you going to say yes?”
I freeze the cup halfway to my lips. “I honestly haven’t had time to think about it.”
I clasp a hand over my left wrist and squirm in my seat, suddenly uncomfortable. “Well,
“His name is Lucas. We’ve been on and off since I was fifteen, but I think it’s serious now. Super
serious.” I take a deep breath. “Or at least it could have been, if I hadn’t been imprisoned by the fae.”
“He asked me to marry him right before I came here.” I tug on one of my braids. “My mundane
The way he’s looking at me, he doesn’t seem bored. His gaze pierces into mine. But then he laughs,
“I’ve never lost a fight, Rosie, and my first won’t be to your human.” There’s a dark promise in his
“Well, I don’t think you have to worry about it.” I take another long drink of my wine, trying to
drown the sinking feeling in my stomach. “Lucas took one look at those goblins and hightailed it back
“Look, we’d never seen anything like that before,” I say. “I was running too! Unfortunately, I’m
Dayton chugs the rest of the bottle of wine, but before he can order another, the server places
several more bottles on the table, along with a plate of fruit and nuts and a tankard of foaming ale.
Dayton gives a thankful wave to the crowd, and wow, I didn’t notice how many eyes were on us. I
“He’s handsome. Red hair. When we were in high school, he basically had his own fan club. I was
their number one arch-nemesis.” I pour more wine, this one a glittering purple. It tastes like
blackberries and the last rays of light on a summer night. “He’s big on family. Always talks about
“There’s your answer,” Dayton says. “No.”
“No?” I slam my cup down. “Why would you say that?”
“If it were a yes, then you’d know. You wouldn’t have to think about it.”
I roll my eyes. “Look, I’m not a fae with a magical mating bond that sparkles and tells me who is
the one. We humans must think with our heads. Like, can we make each other happy long-term? Do we
have the same values and goals? Does he—”
“Does he make you come?”
I spit my wine all over the table. Dayton doesn’t notice. He leans closer and his voice pitches low.
“Is he good to you? Does he leave you satisfied? How many times a night does he pleasure you,
blossom?”
Sex with Lucas was pleasant, and I had enjoyed it most of the time. I liked being close to him, how
hard and passionate his kisses were. But when I think about the mind-blowing orgasms the women in
my books have, my mind draws a blank. “I don’t,” I stammer, “I don’t know.”
“If you don’t know,” he gives a rueful smile, “then the answer is never.”
“Well, I—”
“Before you say yes to this human, you need to experience someone worshiping your body the way
you deserve. You need someone to take you over the edge again and again and again.”
Liquid heat pools in my belly as his words rush over me. “Marigold said fae from the Summer
Realm were the best lovers.”
“Did she now?” Dayton leans so our foreheads are almost touching. He’s got one hand braced on
the side of the table, and the large muscles in his arms strain.
“Yes.” I breathe in and flutter my eyes shut.
“Then I’m sure you can find some fae here desperate enough to give you that.” There’s a clatter as
Dayton falls back to his chair, laughing.
Foolish disappointment swells in my belly. Of course Dayton’s not interested in me. He’s a
freaking fae prince. He could have anyone he wants. Plus, I’m trying to find his mate. I can’t think
about him like that, no matter how charming and gorgeous he is.
His words settle in my head. What have I got to lose? Would it be so wrong to experience pleasure
for a night? I’m a prisoner. When I get back to Orca Cove and say yes to Lucas, I won’t feel guilty.
We’re not really together now... I didn’t say yes.
He’s been with so many girls during his stint at university. Why isn’t it my turn? Why shouldn’t I
have fun for one night?
I roll my eyes. “Look, I’m not a fae with a magical mating bond that sparkles and tells me who is
the one. We humans must think with our heads. Like, can we make each other happy long-term? Do we
I spit my wine all over the table. Dayton doesn’t notice. He leans closer and his voice pitches low.
“Is he good to you? Does he leave you satisfied? How many times a night does he pleasure you,
Sex with Lucas was pleasant, and I had enjoyed it most of the time. I liked being close to him, how
hard and passionate his kisses were. But when I think about the mind-blowing orgasms the women in
“Before you say yes to this human, you need to experience someone worshiping your body the way
Liquid heat pools in my belly as his words rush over me. “Marigold said fae from the Summer
“Did she now?” Dayton leans so our foreheads are almost touching. He’s got one hand braced on
“Then I’m sure you can find some fae here desperate enough to give you that.” There’s a clatter as
Foolish disappointment swells in my belly. Of course Dayton’s not interested in me. He’s a
freaking fae prince. He could have anyone he wants. Plus, I’m trying to find his mate. I can’t think
His words settle in my head. What have I got to lose? Would it be so wrong to experience pleasure
for a night? I’m a prisoner. When I get back to Orca Cove and say yes to Lucas, I won’t feel guilty.
He’s been with so many girls during his stint at university. Why isn’t it my turn? Why shouldn’t I
I pour more of the fae wine into my cup and hold it up to cheers Dayton. “Here’s to drinking,
dancing, and finding a damn good lay.”
His eyes widen for a moment before he holds his cup up to mine. “Here’s to that, blossom.”