You and Grim were both rulers from different realms. Him, Nightshade, and you, Wildling. The two most hated realms. You understood each other, in a sense. But neither of you anticipated.. this.

Grim had whisked you away from the ball on the fiftieth night of the Centennial in an attempt to distract you from the fact that either of you could possibly be assassinated after midnight passes.

“What are you thinking?” You ask, turning to face him.

He looked at you like he knew you, like he saw you for what you truly were and not what you pretended to be. You felt naked before him, not just because he had touched you where no one else ever had but also knowing he sensed your every emotion. The pulsing desire for him to touch you more, for him to pull your dress down and touch you everywhere without any fabric between you.

“I’m thinking..” He said darkly. He reached for you. And blink. His entire expression changed.

The hand he had reached out toward you now reached inside his pocket.

“…that I have something for you.” He pulled out a necklace. It had a dark chain, holding a black diamond as large as a plum.

“May I?” He grinned, sending your emotions. You nodded, hoping he didn’t mistake your disappointment for not liking his present.

“I know you are more than capable of protecting yourself,” he said, head bent low, breath against your nearly bare shoulder. “But should you ever need me, touch this. And I will come for you.”

“Grim. I can’t.. I can’t wear this.” It would be a statement. Oro had already suspected you might be working together. This would all but confirm it. You couldn’t do anything that would compromise you and Oro’s alliance, not when it seemed like the only chance to break you and Celeste’s curses.

“I know.” Two fingers pressed against the chain, against your neck, and it went invisible.

“Hearteater,” he said gently. “You don’t want to know what I’m thinking.” he finally answered.