I froze.
I tried to think of something fast, but no good explanation came to me.
I had been caught.
“Well?’ he repeated. “Have nothing to say, mortal?”
My heart stalled at the sight of him.
Pan stood at the entrance to the study, exuding an air of regal allure and dark amusement. He was dressed in a magnificent ensemble befitting a Fae prince, his attire blending traditional elegance with a touch of otherworldly charm.
A tailored coat of deep emerald green adorned Pan's fitted form, its velvet fabric catching the light in a mesmerizing dance of rich hues. The coat was adorned with intricate golden embroidery, depicting symbols of the Fae realm and the constellations that danced across the night sky.
Underneath the coat, he wore a vest of iridescent silk, its shimmering surface reflecting the light in a dazzling display of ever-changing colors. The vest hugged his form with a tailored fit, accentuating his lithe and graceful figure.
Pan's shirt was a crisp, ivory hue, its fine fabric decorated with delicate ruffles at the collar and cuffs, adding a touch of old-world charm to his ensemble, and yet, it didn’t detract from his reeking masculinity one bit. A subtle gold chain peeked out from beneath the collar, bearing a small, ornate pendant that hinted at the Fae Prince's connection to ancient magic.
His trousers, made from midnight-black fabric, were tailored with precision, tapering elegantly towards his shoes. The trousers featured intricate gold threading along the seams, adding a subtle touch of opulence to the overall look.
Pan's footwear was a work of art in itself. His boots, crafted from supple leather, reached just below the knee and are adorned with delicate etchings of mythical creatures. Each step he took seemed to leave a trail of stardust in his wake, lending an enchanting touch to his movements.
His raven-black hair was styled with effortless grace, falling in slight waves that framed his face. A crown of delicate leaves and interwoven vines graced his head, further solidifying his connection to the natural world and the magic of the Fae realm, and reminding everyone who looked upon him that he was a Prince.
The Prince.
“I…” I swallowed. “I don’t like balls.”
I didn’t expect that to come out of my mouth, but now that it had, I wasn’t going to backtrack.
He opened his mouth, shut it, and then leaned his graceful figure against the wall behind him. Amusement still danced in his pale green eyes, and his lips, while not smiling, seemed to smirk as well.
“That isn’t what I expected to hear,” he said. “And you thought the study was more suitable for your needs?”
“I…I like books,” I said.
Now, he smirked. “Were you not shown the library?” he asked.
“I wasn’t shown anything,” I said. I sniffed, trying to showcase offense. Now that I had something to run with, I intended to make use of it. “In fact, I haven't truly been taken care of at all. I thought this whole thing was for you to broker some kind of peace with the town. It’s the only reason why I’m here. At the very least, I could be given a fair shot at winning your hand. It’s already impossible.”
“You think so?” he asked, cocking his head to the side.
I shifted my weight. “First off, everyone knows how you feel about humans,” I said, unable to call myself a mortal. The way he said it reminded me of an insult of the most vulgar kind, and I couldn’t bring myself to share his sentiment. “There’s no way you’d actually marry one, especially since royalty is required to pass down an heir. On top of that, my competition is just lightyears ahead of me in education, grace, not to mention looks. So, really, I already know where my place is. We don’t have to pretend otherwise.”
“So, what you’re saying is,” he began, swaggering over to where I was by his desk, “I should rid myself of you now and focus on those I’d actually consider?”
Shit.
That wasn’t what I meant.
If he got rid of me before I could kill him, then everything would be in vain.
“What are you doing here?” I asked, reaching up to touch my hair, only to remember Cyan had placed it in an intricate updo. “Don’t you have a ball to attend?”
“A prince goes wherever he pleases,” he said. “You know, mortal, I should punish you for being so forward. Such bluntness will not be tolerated, and you should do well to remember your place lest I do punish you.”
My eyes flashed. Something dark touched his own irises, but it vanished before I could figure out what it was.
“Does this mean you’re going to get rid of me?” I asked.
Perfect. Just great. I thought I had been clever, but I wasn’t. Not by a long shot.
“I haven’t decided,” he said. He finally stopped when he reached the other side of the desk. At least something was in between us, a hurdle he had to get around if he wanted to get to me. “Part of me doesn’t want to waste my time with you because you are correct. There’s no way I’d demean myself to marry a human at all. Then again, I’d prefer not to marry anyone.” His eyes narrowed slightly. “On the other, something tells me you’d be amusing to have, if only to give me a laugh at the thought that you could actually compete with Fae royalty. Because you’re right. Your beauty is nothing like theirs. Your grace is lackluster.” He moved around the desk so quickly I didn’t have a chance to blink. And he took my chin in his fingers, pressing his thumb into my bottom lip. “But it’s the lies that fall so pretty from your mouth that intrigue me the most. What secrets are you hiding, mortal?”
Here it was.
The chance to kill him.
To end this.
Except, I couldn’t reach the scissors like this.
My heart raced in my chest as Pan stood close, his touch sending shivers down my spine. His fingertip grazed my bottom lip, a gesture both intimate and dangerously tantalizing. There was an electric charge that seemed to crackle in the air, pulling us together like opposing magnets.
I couldn't deny the pull, the allure of his charm, but I knew I had a greater purpose here. My brothers were missing, and I believed Pan held the key to their disappearance. I had to find the truth, no matter the cost.
And then, I had to kill him.
As his piercing gaze locked onto mine, I saw a glimpse of the mysteries he kept hidden. It was as if he was daring me to unravel them, inviting me to explore the depths of his soul. But beneath the allure, I sensed a danger, a darkness lurking beneath the surface. Like he wanted any excuse to unleash his demons onto me.
What was I going to do?
A conflicted turmoil churned within me as I struggled between my duty and my need for answers. His touch was a siren's call, tempting me to abandon my purpose and drown in the depths of passion. But I couldn't let myself be swayed by mere temptation.
Yet, even as I fought the internal battle, there was a part of me that longed to yield, to let go of my burdens and lose myself in him. It was as if he held the power to unlock my deepest desires, making me forget everything else that mattered.
Fuck.
Was I really this easy? This stupid? Or was this some kind of Fae magic he used to get me to succumb to him?
“How easy you fall in line at a mere touch,” he murmured. “Tell me, are you always this obedient?”
I swallowed. I needed distance, now.
I took a step back, trying to regain my composure. My heart still pounded, my breath uneven, but I couldn't let myself be overwhelmed by him. I needed to be strong, to find a way to fulfill my mission, even in the face of this intoxicating allure.
As I glanced around the study, searching for anything that could help me, I realized that in this moment, I was both hunter and prey. Pan's pull had ensnared me, but I had a determination that ran just as deep.
I would stay vigilant, always aware of the danger he posed, while navigating the dance of desire and deceit. My resolve was stronger than the attraction, and I knew that in this treacherous game, I needed to play my cards carefully. Pan's secrets were there for the unraveling, and I would bide my time, waiting for the opportune moment to strike.
Now, unfortunately, wasn’t the time.
“I have no secrets,” I said. I hated how weak my voice was.
Pathetic.
I was pathetic.
If Robin saw me now…
My stomach churned at the thought.
He’d be so disappointed.
No.
Ashamed.
“Everyone has secrets,” Pan said, his eyes watching me with such precision, I was positive he had the ability to see straight through my soul.
“Even you?” I asked.
“Especially me,” he replied. He crossed his arms over his chest. “Why are you here, mortal?”
“I don’t like balls,” I repeated. “I can’t…I’m not a good dancer. And, compared to my competition, I’m not graceful. I was hiding out, hoping not to make myself look like even more of a fool.” I smoothed my hands over my dress. “It’s obvious, isn’t it? I’m not competition. I might as well enjoy myself while I’m here, but I’m already a target for ridicule. I don’t want to have to deal with being laughed at on top of everything else.”
“Weak,” he muttered.
“Oh?” I wasn’t even offended. How could I be? If I was, it would mean I cared what he thought of me, and I didn’t. “I’d like to think of it as rational. We both know you’d never choose me. This is all a game to win over your new people, isn’t it, my Prince?”
His eyes darkened at referring to him as a Prince.
I didn’t know why that made my mouth dry. I didn’t want to think about it.
“Why play a losing game?” I asked.
“Then why are you here?” he returned. His eyes were hard with suspicion, leaning forward. My heart trilled at the thought of him invading my space even now, and I hated myself for it.
“Because if not me, then someone else,” I said.
“Ah.” He smirked. “You were sent to kill me, then?”
I refused to let my shock show. Instead, I tilted my head to the side and let a small smile touch my lips.
“You think I could actually kill you?” I asked, and then laughed.
It wasn’t a delicate, feminine laugh either. It was genuine. Because saying it out loud was ridiculous, even if it was true.
“Of course not,” he said. “But you do.”
“And how do you suppose I can kill you from your study?” I asked.
“Perhaps I should check you for weapons, hmm?” he asked.
“Feel free.” I lifted my arms out. “Of course, you’d have to muddy your hands by touching a mere mortal, and I’m not sure you’d want to debase yourself in such a way.”
His smirk deepened again, and I couldn’t be sure, but genuine amusement flashed in his eyes. My heart skipped a beat at the sight of it and I had to look away.
“I think I’ll risk it,” he said.
He grabbed my wrist and yanked me forward. At the last moment, he stepped out of the way, pushing me against his desk. My hands had to shoot out and slap onto the surface in order to keep myself from hitting my face there.
My heart pounded in my chest as Pan pressed me against his desk, his hands searching my body for any concealed weapons. The tension in the air was palpable, a magnetic pull that drew us together despite the conflicting emotions swirling within me.
His touch was both firm and gentle as he ran his hands over my figure, his fingers sending waves of electricity through me. It was intoxicating, thrilling, and my breath hitched with every sweep of his hands.
As he leaned closer, his lips grazed my ear, and his warm breath sent shivers down my spine. "You're quite the enigma, Wendy Darling," he whispered, his voice a low murmur that sent a thrill through me.
He knew me.
How?
Stupid question.
Of course he knew me.
He knew I was here to kill him.
Why wouldn’t I be prepared that he was eight steps ahead of the game.
I swallowed hard, trying to maintain my composure, but it was becoming increasingly difficult as his proximity and touch clouded my thoughts. The conflict raged within me, torn between my mission and the allure of this dangerous dance.
He leaned back slightly, his eyes locked onto mine, even from my peripheral because of my position, a knowing glint in his gaze. "You can't hide your secrets from me," he said, his voice a seductive purr. "I can see the fire burning in your eyes. I can see what you’re here for."
I couldn't deny the truth of his words. There was an undeniable attraction between us, a raw and primal connection that I struggled to resist. But I knew I couldn't let myself be swayed by this dangerous game of desire.
"And what’s that?” I managed to say.
Pan chuckled softly, his lips curving into a sly smile. "What everyone truly wants," he said, his fingers tracing a line along my jaw. "Revenge. And here you are, searching my study for a sliver of evidence about your brothers. Determined yet tempted, resistant yet drawn."
His touch sent a jolt through me, and I closed my eyes for a moment, trying to steady myself. But the thrum of attraction between us was too powerful to ignore, and a part of me wanted to give in, to forget everything else and surrender to the annoying and unexpected desire that surged within me.
Pan's lips brushed against my neck, and a soft gasp escaped me. "You can't fight it forever," he whispered, his breath warm against my skin. "You can have answers, mortal, and so much more."
My heart ached with the struggle, torn between the need to stay focused on my mission and the temptation to let go and lose myself in him. I knew I had to resist, to be strong, but his touch and words were a mix that clouded my judgment.
Before I could respond, shrieks and terrified screams filled the hallway.
“She’s dead!” someone exclaimed. “Seraphina is dead!”