Broken Knight

“So, Poppy,” Daria purred.

“Hmm?” Poppy batted her lashes.

They were two alpha females sharpening their claws in front of a thirsty audience. Poppy’s message was clear: she was not intimidated. Daria’s intentions were showcased perfectly, too: she didn’t like the British invasion.

“Knight here is like my baby brother, but he doesn’t tell me anything. Are you guys an item?”

Poppy giggled in a way that made her so much less lovable to me than I’d remembered. My stomach clenched. Whatever Daria was getting at, I knew she was team Luna. I just wished she wouldn’t probe. The sheer horror of being here next to them filled my annual quota for angst, and I didn’t care for a second serving.

“I reckon we are.” Poppy looked up to Knight, touching her blemished cheek. “Are we not, darling?”

I looked away just as Vaughn appeared, saving—or ruining—the day. It really depended how you looked at it. I focused on breathing through my nose and staring at the back of a waitress’ head. Vaughn gave me a peck on the cheek, throwing me off balance. He was not one for affection.

“Look what the pussy dragged in.” Daria bowed down, tugging at the hem of her gown theatrically. “Question is—which pussy was it that made you wear something you didn’t steal from Salvation Army? Care to shed some light on the matter?”

“Daria, I see you are still putting that sharp mind of yours to good use,” Vaughn drawled sarcastically. “If you must know, I lost a bet to my father.”

“BS. You never lose, Vaughn.” Daria knocked back her drink.

“I did this week,” he clipped unflappably.

“Bummer. Thought you were finally trying to impress a girl.”

“Girls are in the business of impressing me, not vice versa.”

“Can’t argue with that.” She slammed her empty champagne glass on a tray, snatching a fresh one from a passing waiter.

Lenora made a show of gagging. Vaughn, who caught the gesture like an eagle waiting for its prey to show a sign of life, went for the kill.

“I see the mediocre artist does not approve. How is your dead kingdom doing, Miss Astalis?”

“Splendid. Watching your empire sinking slowly and having a jolly good time, Mr. Will-Never-Be-As-Good-As-His-Mummy.”

“Jeez, your nerd-talk game is hot.” Daria pretended to fan herself. “So, are you kids bumping uglies?” She pointed between Lenny and Hunter, obviously adding fuel to the fire.

“It’s a work in progress,” Knight said, slinging an arm over each of their shoulders and looking between them. I stole a glance at him, and our eyes met, then darted in opposite directions. Bile bubbled in my throat.

“I have a boyfriend,” Lenny whispered hotly, her cheeks pinking.

“No one’s buying that, Lenora. You need to be at least semi-tolerable for that to happen.”

Vaughn was obviously turning on his charm this evening.

“We’re going on a double date next week,” Knight announced, and I couldn’t help myself.

I let out a bitter chuckle. So he and Poppy were officially dating. Good for them.

“You seem hell-bent on making that happen.” Daria eyed Knight curiously. “I wonder why.”

“Just playing matchmaker, like my good friend Vaughn, who threw me into Poppy’s arms so generously. Thanks, man.”

“You needed a shove in the right direction,” Vaughn said meaningfully, his eyes boring into Knight’s.

Knight shrugged. “Anyway… Three more couples to fix up, and I’ll secure my place in heaven.”

“Even if you find the cure for death, you won’t be getting a free pass into heaven,” I signed.

Vaughn and Daria, who understood what I’d said, burst out laughing. Knight ignored me, turning his head to Poppy, his eyes dropping to her lips.

“I can get a place in heaven, can’t I, Sunshine?”

Sunshine.

I was Moonshine, and she was Sunshine.

If I’d had any doubt he was playing a game to get even, I’d just received my proof.

“Of course,” she simpered. “I’ll take you with me.”

He leaned down, pressing his lips against hers. Kissing her. In front of me. Her mouth opened, and his tongue slid past her lips. I looked away, feeling something inside me collapsing. I felt the ground beneath me shaking. I needed to get out of there.

“Luna,” Vaughn barked, staring daggers at Knight, who was still engrossed in the kiss. “Come with me.”

“Where to?” I asked.

“The humble pie is getting cold. Better get Knight his fix.”

My legs carried me after Vaughn as we moseyed through the lush grass toward the Coles’ house. Even though I wasn’t sure where we were really going, anything was better than standing there with a front-row seat to Knight trying to wrestle his tongue into Poppy’s mouth, not stopping until he reached her liver.

I didn’t know why Vaughn was saving me—if, indeed, he was doing that. He was the one who’d insisted I go away so Knight could get over me. Job done.

Inside, Vaughn started throwing doors open, like he was looking for something specific. When he got to the laundry room, he motioned for me with his head to come inside with him. I did. I stood with my back against the wall. He kept the door ajar, crowding me with his back to it.