Except, Selric appears younger than Theren.Muchyounger.
Hmm.
I do not catch most of the words, save the names of me and Vann.
A ripple of acknowledgment moves through the hall, and I catch sight of Theren near the throne. He smiles and nods his head. Strange man.
Selric continues, and Vann leans over to say, “He’s welcoming us and thanking us at once.”
Then, Selric raises his goblet.
"Arlet," he declares.
"Arlet," the crowd echoes.
I give a small bow. Glasses are lowered and conversations resume. In no time, the hall fills with the clink of goblets and the murmur of voices.
Selric nods in our direction, effectively dismissing us.
Vann leans over, whispering in my ear. “He thanks you, and says our dragon and rider will by ready by morning.”
My brows raise. “So quickly?”
We were almost at the end of the journey. Compared to how hard the rest of it was, I’m shocked. A part of me feels this is too easy. But then, Vann huffs a laugh, and presses his hand to my lower back.
I suck in a sharp breathe. It is strange to suddenly and consistently feel so aroused. I was only human, I had my moments, but never this long.
Vann leads me toward a table near the edge of the room. He pours wine into two glasses, then holds out one to me. “To Firelocks.”
I smile, and then hold up my own glass. “ToMi Cielo.”
Vann’s eyes become impossibly warm at the compliment.
It’s a silly action, but the rims of our glasses touch, and I think ofour almost kiss. In my mind, I can picture him caging me against a wall, and kissing me for real. I can picture him seeking entrance to my mouth, and then making love to my mouth with his tongue.
What the hell is going on?
Before I can say another word, a low, resonant growl rolls through the air. The hall falls silent.
The sound comes from above.
I tilt my head back and freeze.
Through the open ceiling, dragons circle in the night sky, their massive forms silhouetted against the moonlit clouds. One dives, wings tucked tight, until it halts midair. Its eyes, molten gold, fix on me.
The hall watches as the dragon roars, the sound vibrating in my bones.
Selric smiles faintly, and shouts out another sentence that is rewarded with a cheer.
From the edges of the hall, elves step forward, each holding a torch. They move in unison, raising the flames high before casting them into the massive brazier at the center of the room. The fire leaps skyward, turning an intense, shimmering blue.
A scent I had barely perceived grows stronger.
The dragons above answer with a chorus of roars, their wings cutting through the night as sparks and embers rain down like stars.
Vann's hand finds mine beneath the table, his grip solid and reassuring.
A shadow falls over us, and we look up to find Theren approaching. He carries a goblet of wine and a lazy smile.