Tamlin's arm tightened around me, and he kissed the top of my head. I pulled back, looking up at him. The gold in his eyes, bright with the rising sun, flickered. "What?""My father once told me that I should let my sisters imagine a better life" a better world. And I told him that there was no such thing.— I ran my thumb over his mouth, marveling, and shook my head. "I never understood" because I couldn't couldn't believe that it was even possible.— I swallowed, lowering my hand. "Until now."His throat bobbed. His kiss that time was deep and thorough, unhurried and intent. I let the dawn creep inside me, let it grow with each movement of his lips and brush of his tongue against mine. Tears pricked beneath my closed eyes. It was the happiest moment of my life.

His lips were smooth against my skin, his breath warm, and my knees buckled as he lifted my other hand to his mouth and kissed it, too. Kissed it carefully - in a way that made heat begin pounding in my core, between my legs.

What?"Lucien laughed. "Yes— all those female faeries around you were females for Tamlin to pick. It's an honor to be chosen, but it's his instincts that select her.—"But you were there" and other male faeries.— My face burned so hot that I began sweating. That was why those three horrible faeries had been there— and they'd thought that just by my presence, I was happy to comply with their plans."Ah." Lucien chuckled. "Well, Tam's not the only one who gets to perform the rite tonight. Once he makes his choice, we're free to mingle. Though it's not the Great Rite, our own dalliances tonight will help the land, too." He shrugged off that invisible hand a second time, and his eyes fell upon the hills. "You're lucky I found you when I did, though," he said. "Because he would have smelled you, and claimed you, but it wouldn't have been Tamlin who brought you into that cave." His eyes met mine, and a chill went over me. —And I don't think you would have liked it. Tonight is not for lovemaking.

Would you like me to grovel with gratitude for bringing me here, High Lord?Ah. The Suriel told you nothing important, did it?That smile of his sparked something bold in my chest. He also said that you liked being brushed, and if I'm a clever girl, I might train you with treats.Tamlin tipped his head to the sky and roared with laughter. Despite myself, I let out a quiet laugh. I might die of surprise, Lucien said behind me. You made a joke, Feyre.I turned to look at him with a cool smile. You don't want to know what the Suriel said about you. I flicked my brows up, and Lucien lifted his hands in defeat.I'd pay good money to hear what the Suriel thinks of Lucien, Tamlin said.A cork popped, followed by the sounds of Lucien chugging the bottle's contents and chuckling with a muttered, Brushed.