Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 102166 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 511(@200wpm)___ 409(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102166 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 511(@200wpm)___ 409(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
Sensing her slipping away, Finn’s arm slid around her lower back, curling her closer, anchoring her, silently reminding her that she had to play her part.
One interaction turned to five, then fifteen.
Her champagne flute was empty, and she felt a pleasant thrumming inside her, a lightness she knew came from the alcohol, since she was still having trouble staying present and engaging with the strangers whom Finn seemed to know personally.
“Can we look at the auction items?” Iris asked when a group of humans moved away.
“Sure, we—”
“Finn!” a booming voice called.
Turning, Iris saw nothing but torso until she angled her head all the way up to catch sight of a man with huge, angled horns and a thick gold bull ring in his nose.
He had to be a minotaur.
“Patton,” Finn said with a smile, offering his hand.
“Iris,” Patton greeted her, ducking his head. “Do you mind if I steal your fiancé for a moment?”
“Of course,” she said with her fake smile. Unease at walking around without an escort spread through her, but she tried to tamp it down.
“I’ll meet you over by the tables in a minute,” Finn said, pressing a quick kiss to her temple before moving away.
The little belly flip-flop seemed to chase away her discomfort as she dropped her empty glass on a tray, then wandered over toward the auction, being careful to mind her steps without Finn there to balance her if she tripped in her heels.
She moved down the line, looking at offerings of private celebrity chefs, luxury cruises, vacations at the beach, and tickets to sold-out concerts and shows.
Mixed in with those average listings, though, were other—more exciting—ones: a future reading from a high priestess, a ‘getting in touch with your inner beast’ getaway with a wolf alpha, an aging cask of fae wine, artisanal chocolate infused with true lust magic, and even a haunted mirror (guaranteed friendly).
Caught up in the excitement of it all, Iris leaned down to sign her name for the mirror, loving the idea of a device that might whisper advice and compliments—and, occasionally, cryptic warnings.
And just for fun, she quickly bid on the lusty chocolates.
When she’d checked over all the offerings twice and Finn still hadn’t joined her, she’d decided to go and find him. But when she’d scanned the crowd, he was nowhere to be seen.
She spotted Patton and his minotaur friends, but Finn was no longer with them.
She moved around the room, trying not to look like she was searching for someone, but getting a little more uneasy with each passing moment.
Without Finn’s hand steadying her, every click of her heels echoed loudly. She couldn’t seem to walk or breathe quite right without him at her side.
Her stomach was feeling all sloshy by the time she moved out of the dinosaur room.
The museum was labyrinthine, and everywhere she went, she saw people.
But not Finn.
She was about to give up and try to find her way back to the main gathering area, when she heard the rumble of his laughter.
A shiver worked its way up her spine at the sound, and her lips curved up as she made her way around a corner to find him.
In a little alcove.
With that gargoyle woman.
Her hand was on his chest.
Her body arched too close.
Her laughter just a little too husky.
Iris’s stomach bottomed out.
How long had she been standing there, laughing like that? Had he followed her? Or had she led him?
She stood there stunned for a second. But when Finn’s gaze found hers, her feet unstuck from the ground.
She turned and rushed away, gathering up her skirt so it didn’t slow her down.
She was pretty sure she made her way into a restricted area within a few moments, judging by the lack of mood lighting and people gathered around.
She didn’t care.
She just needed to get somewhere private before the stupid tears stinging her eyes overflowed.
Just when she was losing hope, she saw a bathroom sign hanging up ahead.
She beelined for it, pushing the door open. Her heels clicked on the pristine tile floor as she made her way over to the sink, ready to try to put some cool water on her face—to hell with her makeup.
Before the first tear could spill over, though, the door flew open.
And there was Finn.
“Iris, what—”
He trailed off when he caught sight of her face.
Reaching back, he locked the door.
“Why bother following me?” she asked, blinking back the tears. She was more comfortable with the sizzle of anger burning in her stomach. “Go back and let Marsha keep undressing you with her eyes.”
“Iris …”
“Don’t act like I’m being silly. You went with her to some quiet alcove where no one would see you.”
“I followed her because she said she was looking for another member of the council. Iris, come on. You don’t think—”
“I do. You were all laughing and smiling and letting her put her hands—”