Total pages in book: 222
Estimated words: 210715 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1054(@200wpm)___ 843(@250wpm)___ 702(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 210715 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1054(@200wpm)___ 843(@250wpm)___ 702(@300wpm)
“I’ve made inquiries,” he said. “Nobody knows who you are or where you come from. You returned my friend’s brother to him, then you saved Eliarde, and both times you’ve asked for nothing in return.”
If only he knew.
“Eliarde attends court events every year. This is your first time, and yet you made her look like a fool with two sentences.”
“I did nothing of the sort. She dug that hole herself.”
His eyes told me he was stripping the dress off me in his head. “I don’t know how or where they’ve been hiding you, but there is something about you, Maggie. I have a feeling there is no one else like you. Look around you. This is the only battlefield worthy of you, and you are radiant.”
And we were on a first-name basis. Oh no, you don’t.
“Lord Arvel, I believe you are mistaken. There is nothing special about me. Your life is filled with powers and magic, and I’m but a dim spark. I’m happy being a spark. It suits me.”
He stepped to the side, and behind me, keeping my right hand in his, placed his other hand on my lower back, and guided me in a small circle. Erodel did not teach me this. I had to just go with it. Arvel’s touch was featherlight, but I knew with absolute certainty that I couldn’t get away. For a moment, my back was to his chest, our heads close.
His voice murmured in my ear. “What do you want, my lady? What do you really want? Tell me and I will make it yours.”
He returned me back to the right position, across from him, the backs of our hands touching.
I stared right into his eyes. “No.”
“No what?”
“No anything. And no more creative dance moves. In case you’ve forgotten, my lord, we are in public. We’re going to finish dancing and go our separate ways.”
I should’ve said that in a different way and a different tone. Too late now.
He looked thrilled. “Irresistible.”
Damn it.
The tempo changed, signaling a partner switch. Here we go. I spun to my left, praying I didn’t trip, and a man glided in place across from me. Face like an angel, eyes like a wolf—Silveren.
“And we meet again, my lady,” he purred.
Bite me. “Indeed, we do, my lord.”
“Truly, I encounter you in the strangest places. I told you I would see you again.”
That magic voice washed over me like warm honey. He wore the Redeemer sage, gray, and dark brown, and against those colors his dark blond hair and those golden eyes almost glowed. He was sinfully beautiful.
“Imagine seeing you on Arvel’s arm.”
We touched our hands and made a circle around each other.
“However did you manage that?”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
We stepped away from each other and came together. His face was entirely too close. His voice was an intimate caress.
“Does he know you led me around on a leash?”
Aha. “That was coincidental, my lord. I’m not into bondage, and if I were, you’re not the partner I would choose.”
The music changed again. I executed another left turn without tripping, and Solentine caught me.
“Get me out of here,” I snarled under my breath.
“Why are you here in the first place?” he hissed through his smile.
“Why do you think? I got an invitation, and I didn’t want to endanger the family by not coming.”
We circled each other, and I caught sight of Arvel. He was completely ignoring his partner. His body was making all the right moves, but his gaze was on me.
“How do you even know Arvel?”
“Not important right now. He’s watching me.”
“Yes. I know. Everybody here is watching him watch you.”
“It’s not my fault,” I squeezed out.
“How did you even manage this? Arvel views women as amusements or irritations. I’ve never seen him get territorial.”
Ugh. “Silveren just asked me the same thing.”
“We have a bigger problem.”
Solentine spun me the same way Arvel had, giving me a glimpse of the northern side of the room. Black smoke coiled around Everard. It was barely visible, but it was there, snaking around his chest and arms. His eyes were a bright piercing green.
“He’s smoking,” I ground out.
“I’ve noticed. No man wants Arvel as a rival.”
“They’re not rivals.”
“Does he know that?”
“Stop being clever and help me.”
“We’re almost there. After the next turn, walk with me. Don’t stop. Don’t say anything.”
We turned. Solentine locked my hand on his forearm. We slipped out of our spot among the dancing couples, and he steered me toward the crowd. People edged out of the way to let us pass. A moment and we were through the clump of nobles, right in front of a small arch leading to a narrow hallway guarded by a knight.
Solentine pulled me into the hallway, which was barely wide enough for the two of us to pass side by side. We speed-walked through it, turned left, and exited into a much wider hallway, with tall arched windows lining its opposite side.