A Dark and Starless Night

Chapter Forty-Five

Eve couldn't fathom it. Why would they want Don dead? The star eater had hinted that he wasn't finished his killing, and even his attempt on Eve's life proved that. But they had to know that killing again would prove Don's innocence. He couldn't commit a murder if he was in jail. Except, she remembered, Ned had only planned to pin Eli's murder on Don. That had been the only one Ned had had charges written up for. He hadn't counted on anyone making the connections between the other murders.

Even as she felt her stomach flipped in disgust, she knew she had no proof. Just a feeling. She practically fled from him when the song changed, wiping her sweaty hands on her skirt and downing a drink. She braced her hands on the table, drew in a breath, and pushed the disgust down.

Enjoy yourself, she chanted in her head, smiling at someone who nodded in greeting.

She practically downed three more drinks and danced with a few more men. The conversations she had with them were a lot less sickening, filled with flirting that she forced herself to give in to. She laughed at their jokes, smiled when they complimented her, and didn't let herself think about Ned.

Enjoy yourself, she said as she drank mouthful after mouthful of summer wine. She felt giddy, laughing as one of the boys, a lord of some minor territory in the midlands, led her to one of the more secluded areas of the ballroom; one of the alcoves on the back wall.

"Eve," a familiar voice said, and she spun, staggering a little as her mind twirled.

Rik. His tanned cheeks were slightly flushed, and a light coating of sweat glistened on his face and hair. He had opened the top few buttons of his shirt, as if he was just as warm as she was. She didn't have the luxury to undo any buttons though.

The boy behind her muttered an excuse to leave, barely looking at Rik as he disappeared. Rik watched him go and sucked on his teeth.

"You, Duchess Mintarryl, promised me a dance," he said, offering her his hand.

She placed her hand in his, feeling a jolt of warmth spread through her from where their skin touched. He led her onto the floor, people parting for them so that they were nearly at the centre of the crowd.

The next song started. Rik bowed. She curtsied. He swept her into the thrum of the music. He moved effortlessly and she followed, losing herself in his brown-and-golden eyes. They didn't speak, but something between them seemed to flow and grow until the space between them was charged with energy. Energy that made her insides feel molten. She was surprised that her feet didn't falter, even as she felt her head begin to spin. She could hardly breathe as she looked at him.

And she realised that she really and truly loved him. That what had been a crush, one that filled her with a nagging as she questioned his character, had bloomed as he had.

He changed for you, something inside her whispered.

Her chest felt tight and tears of joy, tears of hope, sprang to her eyes. Her vision blurred and concern sparked in his eyes as she staggered a little. He caught her, has hand on her waist tightening as she righted her. He moved through the crowd towards the gardens and cold air hit her, forcing her to draw in a deep breath as they stepped outside.

"Are you alright?" he demanded, walking her down the stairs and to the side where there were no prying eyes.

"Just... just a little light headed. Too much wine. And it was too hot in there," she said, words pouring out of her. If her cheeks hadn't already been flushed, she would have blushed in embarrassment.

He hadn't changed for her. He had changed because he wanted to.

He grinned, looking a little coy. "I've never actually had someone swoon over me."

"Swoon?!" she half-shrieked, half-laughed. "The- The arrogance! Only a prince would have the nerve to think something like that."

He laughed at her outburst. Something in her preened at that laughter. Something else thrummed in excitement at his closeness. She could feel the heat radiating from him he stood so close.

"Why don't we go for a walk?" he suggested, offering her his arm.

She nodded, sliding her arm through his and resting against his side, absorbing his warmth even though moments ago she had been overheating. They walked towards the maze, which was well lit by numerous lanterns. A servant at the entrance offered them a torch, but Rik declined. They both knew the maze well enough that the lanterns would do.

"I hate to pry," he said, as they started down a route that would lead them to a beautiful – and romantic – fountain, "but what did Ned want?"

"You saw that, did you?" She sighed, hugging herself as best she could without pressing herself, and her breast, to far into him. "He just wanted to upset me."

And he succeeded, she thought, wishing she had a glass of wine.

"He's a coward and a prick," Rik said, looking over his shoulder as if his glare would reach Ned back in the ballroom.

"He is, isn't he?" she said, beaming up at him, glad to hear him speak ill of Ned.

He looked down and returned her smile, his cheeks retaining the glow of his blush. She let her eyes roam his face, running over his brows, his eyes, his nose. She noticed that his pulse fluttered rapidly at his throat. She lingered on his lips before returning to his eyes, noticing that they were very much fixed on her parted lips. She wet them before she spoke, the weight of his gaze making her throat tighten.

"You look handsome tonight," she said, before she lost the nerve. "You look like..."

"Like what?" he asked, his voice rough as he shifted to face her.

She felt her cheeks heat as she rested her hand on his chest, her heart beating wildly. "Like a man."

His eyes flashed, and he dipped his head. She let her eyes fall shut before all the reasons she should stop him could swarm her. Please, she wanted to say.

But everything wasshattered by a scream.