The line to enter the dining room curved down the hallway. Apparently, the castle had multiple dining halls depending on the size of the function—tonight’s was the biggest of them all.

Most of the fae in line were from the Winter Court. Scarlett had learned the slight difference in aura amongst the courts. When they entered the dining hall, they found their spots at a table in the front of the room.

White linens covered the tables, paired with gold decorations and tableware. Bare twigs stood like trees as centerpieces, with golden orbs hanging from them like ornaments.

“Our honored guest,” one of the servers said as he pulled Scarlett’s chair out for her. There were many other servers throughout the room—all of them fae. Unlike the Summer Court, Scarlett hadn’t seen one human in the Winter castle.

Kaelem read her thoughts and said, “The Winter Court despises humans so much, they won’t even use them as slaves.”

So much for keeping her mental shield up. “Isn’t human emotion the strongest source of power?” That was what Cade had told her.

“Yes, but the Winter Court is too proud to care. They also absorb power from the cold and ice, which, as long as they remain in their court, works well enough.”

Cade arrived with Poppy at his side. Tonight, Poppy wore a long, mint green dress—a startling change to the fighting leather Scarlett had always seen her in. Her blonde hair was pulled into a braided bun on top of her head, with a curled strand hanging down in front of her face on each side.

“You look gorgeous,” Scarlett said.

At first, Poppy glared, but then her expression softened. “Thanks.”

Soon, the table was filled, mostly with fae Scarlett had never seen.

“The one on the far side of the table near the queen’s seat is the Spring Court queen,” Kaelem said.

Scarlett could have guessed she was Spring Court. With so many in the room, she hadn’t noticed the floral scent to her aura. But even so, she wore a crown made of lavender, with her dark hair in a long, loose braid pulled to the front. She grinned at Scarlett, her white teeth bright against her cinnamon skin, and Scarlett returned the friendly smile. A large ruby dangled from a delicate chain that hung around her neck.

“The Spring Court gains magic from gemstones,” Kaelem said.

From the corner of Scarlett’s eye, she saw someone staring at her. She turned her head to scan the room as nonchalantly as possible. A male fae, older, with a familiar face she swore she’d seen before looked away as her gaze met his.

Scarlett turned the other way and asked Kaelem in her mind: Who’s he?

“The Seelie Queen’s advisor,” Kaelem whispered. “She almost never leaves her court. She always sends Laik.”

“I think I’ve seen him before.”

“He was at the Blessing.”

Right. She’d caught him staring then, too. She figured it was because she was mortal. Maybe now he realized she wasn’t. Still, Scarlett’s gut told her there was something else. Though not nearly as strong as the bond between her and Raith, a connection of some sort pulled Scarlett toward him. It must have been her Seelie heritage. He was the only Seelie fae she’d met. Could he sense her Seelie blood? And if he could, would he share the knowledge with the Seelie Queen?

She wouldn’t lose any sleep over it. She had bigger problems to worry about. The whole room hushed as the Winter Queen waltzed down the stairs from the balcony above, dressed in a long sleeved, floor length dress made of lavender tinted satin. Her expression was stiff, no happiness radiating from her cold features. When she arrived at her seat at the head of the Scarlett’s table, she spoke.

“Thank you all for coming to celebrate the Solstice week with me. I’m honored to have so many of my loyal subjects here, as well as prominent fae from the other courts. Enjoy this dinner as my gratitude for your support of the Winter Court.”

Servers entered the room, carrying trays of foods and drinks. One set a golden fizzy drink in front of Scarlett, another an appetizer that reminded her of sushi. Once everyone was served, the Winter Queen lifted her glass into the air.

“To the queen,” someone in the crowed said. The tinkling of glass echoed through the room.

As Scarlett ate, she felt Cade’s stare on her. She pretended not to notice, but she wasn’t the only one who took note.

Kaelem’s hand moved to her lap, resting on her thigh. The corner of his mouth rose slightly. When Scarlett didn’t push it away, he moved it further up her leg.

Hatred radiated from Cade. Scarlett thought she was bad at keeping her emotions hidden, but Cade was so much worse.

But his wasn’t the only jolt of feeling Scarlett sensed. Jealousy beamed from Poppy.

Did she have a thing for Kaelem?

No, that wouldn’t make sense.

But what about her connection to Cade? Could Cade’s annoyance at Kaelem’s touch on Scarlett spark envy in Cade’s number one guard?

Scarlett trailed a finger over Kaelem’s knuckles.

More rage emanated from Cade.

This was too fun. Scarlett absorbed the intensity of his feeling. She wasn’t the only one enjoying it. She could feel satisfaction bursting from Kaelem as well. The mixture of such strong emotion raced through her. A rush of adrenaline shot through her.

As fun as it was to bother Cade, the more believable a couple Scarlett and Kaelem were, the better the ruse. And while hatred burned inside Scarlett for Kaelem taking her sister, the spark between them was undeniable.

Since becoming fae, Scarlett’s emotions were all over the place. Things she knew should bother her sometimes didn’t. She thought she’d felt lust before, but now, everything was heightened.

Kaelem toyed with her, his finger trailing up and down her leg, circling her bare knee.

Scarlett was both relieved and disappointed when the Winter Queen spoke again and interrupted Kaelem’s touch.

The tightrope she walked wavered beneath her. One wrong move and she’d crash and burn.

“As tradition, tonight after dinner are the Winter Fights. The coliseum in the east wing is ready for the fiercest competitors. Everyone is invited to join us after the meal.”

“Fights?”

“Think Winter Court Gladiator,” Kaelem said. When she gave him a quizzical look, he replied, “My court lives in the mortal realm. I’ve studied human history. And where do you think Rome got the idea?”

After dessert, guests rose to leave the room.

“Should we go?” Kaelem asked.

It would be suspicious if they didn’t, and Scarlett’s curiosity was piqued.