"Thank you." He stepped inside, noting the dogs watching, and smiled. "Good evening, gentlemen."

It struck me then, the disconnect between how he treated animals and shifters. He was polite to animals, or had been every time I'd seen him interact with them.

He was either rude to, or ignored, shifters. Kethyrdryll had told me it was stung pride over a woman, back when Thorandryll was young. Dude had had more than enough years to get past that, but he hadn't. Why?

Thorandryll opened the box and presented the corsage it held with a flourish. "I hope it pleases you."

"It's lovely." It was, a little bouquet of miniature white roses on a background of baby's breath and greenery. I stood still and let him pin it on me, while trying to ignore the high school prom vibe the situation caused.

It wasn't as though I'd gone to a prom. My "lost years" hadn't stopped once I'd woken from my coma. Two more were spent returning to normal physically, and learning to handle my abilities.

Twenty-three years old, and I still felt fifteen on a regular basis. Like a kid trying to pretend to be an adult. Most of the time, I thought I pulled off the charade well. Possibly because when people looked at me, they saw a grown woman.

None of them saw the awkward teenager who felt cheated out of the experiences she should've had. Fast forward was fine for commercials, but it sucked rotten goose eggs for real life.

Thorandryll was staring at me. I blinked, realizing he'd finished, and was standing with his arms down at his sides.

"Is something troubling you?"

"Kind of. Not you though. Just...life, I guess."

He tilted his head. "Life in general, or something in particular?"

I touched the corsage, the tiny roses velvet against my fingertips. "Mom doesn't have any photos of me dressed up for school dances. No prom photos, because when I should've been at my junior prom, I was in a coma. Senior prom, I was a walking skeleton who kept setting things on fire or freezing them."

"You're angry that you weren't allowed the experiences you expected to have."

I looked him in the eye. "Wouldn't you be?"

He nodded. "Of course."

"Not just angry, but sad." I sighed. "Doesn't matter. It's not like I'll get a do-over. No one's going to give me back those years."

"I am truly sorry for your loss," he said, abruptly turning toward the coat rack and taking down my faux tiger coat. "I presume you wish to wear this one?"

"Yes, thanks."

Keeping my eyes lowered, I put on my coat with his help. "Guard the house, guys. Don't close the little ones in a room." Tail thumps and lolling tongues answered me. "See you when I get home."

Thorandryll offered his arm once we were on the porch and I'd locked the door. I accepted the gesture, feeling uncomfortable with my oversharing.

A white limo waited in the driveway, its hood pointed to the road. I wondered how the chauffer had maneuvered it around, without driving onto the winter-crisped gra.s.s. Probably magic, since the chauffer was another elf.

How different would I be, if I'd grown up knowing I'd develop my abilities, instead of having them dumped on me? Maybe I'd have been as arrogant as any elf.

Nah, no way, not with my mom. She had no problem bursting arrogance bubbles when necessary.

"Champagne?"

"Huh? Oh, no thank you." I needed to quit wool-gathering, or risk setting the habit of being a terrible date. Not that I intended to be a fun date for the elf. Publicly friendly, sure. I had promised to play nice.

He poured a gla.s.s, took a sip, and began to talk. "This will be an interesting evening. The attendees are the elite of Santo Trueno, from both human and supernatural communities."

"A bunch of people impressed with themselves" is how I interpreted that. "I didn't think you counted shifters as important."

"We all have to live together, regardless of our preferences."

"Prejudices, you mean."

Thorandryll frowned. "I thought we'd agreed to be on friendly terms this evening."

"Yes, but that doesn't mean I'm suddenly blind and deaf to some things. Besides, we're not in public yet." In fact, we were just turning out of the drive. "Seriously, what is your problem with shifters?"

"They're animals. Animals that believe themselves equals of true people."

"Funny. You like animals, and treat them like people. I've seen you do that. But people who can turn themselves into animals..."

He interrupted. "You don't understand. The first to shift their shapes weren't humans. They were animals. Animals who loved their human masters, and wished to emulate them."

I had no idea what expression was on my face, because I didn't know what to think about his statement. "Oh. But that was a really long time ago."

"Time doesn't change what they are."

"Shifters."

"Perversions of the natural order."

I sniffed. "Maybe to you, but not to me."

"You strongly remind me of those you're descended from. They thought the shifters' evolution a miracle."

"Isn't it? Sounds like one to me."

"Animals aren't people," he insisted. "They are companions, pets, useful tools, and food, but they are not people."

"Shifters aren't just," I did air quotes for "just", "animals, and haven't been since the first one changed. We're in a new millennium here, one of a few that have pa.s.sed since then. You need to get with the times."

Thorandryll glared for a few seconds before reluctantly smiling. "My brother has said the same, though less bluntly."

"I like Kethyrdryll. He has common sense." I shrugged. "Anyway, it was nice that you decided to include the shifter leaders."

"You believe I lack common sense?"

"I think you're so used to being important, you have a hard time relating to anyone else, except those you believe are important too."

Instead of glaring, he looked thoughtful. "Kethyrdryll has expressed a similar opinion."

As though I needed more reasons to like his brother. I changed the subject. "Who else is going to be there?"

"The Mayor, city council members, wealthy citizens, and of course, leaders of all the various groups. Many of the vampire council will be present."

I hoped Derrick was one of them. "Why'd you invite the coven?"

"Your friends may be young, but they're becoming known among those who matter. They'll eventually take a place among the elite."

"They may not want to."

He chuckled. "People with power seldom have a choice."

"I have power, and I'm not one of the elite."

"Of course you are, and this will be your debut among your equals."

I stared at him. "Yeah, right."

"You doubt me. I suggest you pay attention tonight, to how others react to you."

c.r.a.p, what had I gotten myself into? "Wait a minute. You freaking planned this. Showing up to a big deal dinner party with me as your date...son of a...that's going to send some messages, isn't it?"

"Of course."

"Ooh, you'd better be glad I promised to play nice."

"I'm grateful you have the habit of keeping promises. Though it would've been more favorable if we were lovers."

"I'm two seconds away from throwing my shoe at your face." G.o.d, he was unbelievable.

He laughed. "I'm merely pointing out that certain people would feel more comfortable knowing that you're less of a, what's the phrase? Ah, a wild card."

"Because if we were a couple they'd think you were in charge? Right." I drawled out the last word. "Like that would ever happen, you being the boss of me."

"Sometimes it's a useful illusion for others to have," he said. "Since you feel so strongly about the matter, I'm settling for the illusion of friendship between us."

I still wanted to smack him between his pretty blue eyes with the heel of my shoe. "If we're ever going to be friends, you have to stop playing games. I'm not a chess piece."

"You're not friends with the Rex, but you are allied with his Pride."

"I'm friends with his son, Connor."

Thorandryll lifted his gla.s.s. "You're friends with my brother and my healer."

"Well, yeah." The limo was slowing, and I glanced out the window. We were in a line, heading toward his sidhe. "But unless you stop playing games, I'm not going to be your friend."

"We don't have to be friends to be allies."

"It helps, a lot."

"But it's not absolutely necessary."

I sighed. "How's your mom?"

He blinked. "Queen Maeve is well. Why?"

"Subject. I changed it before the urge to dent your skull overwhelmed me." b.u.t.terflies had come to life in my stomach. The thought of having to mingle with the rich and powerful for hours was too much. I hoped I didn't trip and face plant in front of everyone. Wait, if I did, I could duck out early.

A glance at Thorandryll changed my mind. He wouldn't let me leave because of a little embarra.s.sment.

"She'll be pleased to see you again."

"Who?"

"Queen Maeve." He frowned. "You seem unusually scatterbrained tonight."

"Yeah, sorry."

"Are you nervous?"

"Nope." h.e.l.l yes. "I'm good."

Up went his left eyebrow. "You're lying."

"Okay, maybe a little nervous. This isn't my usual scene." And he was so not the guy I wanted to go to a party with. Not that I often wanted to go to parties. Especially not this one.

"You're welcome to spend the evening mostly silent and gazing in adoration at me."

My eyes tried to roll right out of their sockets. "Keep dreaming, elf boy."

"This may be a shock for you, but there are several women who'd love to be on my arm tonight."

"Too bad I'm not one of them, huh?"

"Yes, it is. We'd both be more comfortable." He smiled, and drained his gla.s.s. Perfect timing, because the limo stopped, and someone opened the door.

Thorandryll slid out like a greased eel, bending to look at me while holding out his hand. Come along, Discordia."

Vaguely aware there were a lot of people outside, I concentrated on not having a wardrobe malfunction while leaving the car.

"Smile," he murmured while pulling me upright. I did, and he stepped aside and turned, tucking my hand over his forearm.

Roughly a dozen flashes blinded me, and my smile froze.

The press was here.

I was going to kill him. Very, very soon.

Somehow, I made it through the walk to his mansion, and the frequent stops for photos, without losing my smile. A servant took my coat just inside the doors, and I let the smile go, shooting Thorandryll the dirtiest look in my a.r.s.enal. "You're dead."

"Come along." He was still smiling, with a definite smugness.