[ — and there it is, the pin that's been taken to that safe bubble of peace they've shared. her smile wavers, its corners straining for one moment longer, before that glowing happiness dims into a frown. even as she scolds herself for the ridiculousness of being envious over an inanimate object, to say nothing of the constant schemes he seems to be spinning with zoya, it stirs in her chest, worsened by the flash of guilt she feels for experiencing it at all.

not even that parting kiss can soothe it, or the sudden glint to his eyes that can spell nothing but genuine trouble — a type far less healthy than the mischief they've gotten into with his family. she turns her face from him as her fingers slip from between his hands, if only to obscure how the shine has faded so quickly from her eyes, and sets her focus on retying the side of her rumpled bikini bottoms. the palpable eagerness from him is nearly painful, if she considers the sobering facts.

this isn't about accompanying her. it can't be anything but a product of obsession or another means of getting revenge on aleksander. she shakes away the allure of the latter, as convinced as she is that aleksander won't hesitate to parade zoya in front of her. it would be almost amusing, knowing what she does of zoya's secrets, if it didn't still pick at the scabs of her insecurities. ]

I know about the soiree. The invitation was in my inbox. I accepted it this morning. [ she mutters it to nothing but the fabric in her hands when she lifts her top, though there's an edge to her voice she can't bring herself to soften when she questions, ] Wouldn't taking you as my date just ruin your genius plans? I could just take Mal instead.