“Enjoying the spectacle?” he asks, slipping into the common tongue.
“It’s remarkable,” I reply honestly. “And unexpectedly nice.”
Theren chuckles. “It’s one of the few traditions that hasn’t been twisted by politics. The dragons don’t care for our schemes. They only care for the fire.”
“And you?” Vann asks, leaning against one of the long tables. “Do you care for the schemes?”
Theren’s smile widens. “I preferthe fire.”
I glance at Vann, who arches a brow. “But your brother makes the decisions, no,” Vann says carefully.
“He does,” Theren agrees. “By my permission. And yes, I am the eldest. But the throne never suited me. Too many decisions about grain storage and trade routes. So I left it to Selric.”
Vann’s expression darkens. “That gives him reason to fear you.”
Theren shrugs. “He bends, now and then, to my will. In return, I never consider taking the throne back.”
Vann’s lips twist in a knowing smirk. “He might try to get rid of you some day.”
Theren’s laughter is genuine and loud enough to draw a few curious glances. “I’d appreciate the challenge.”
We are silent a while longer, and then his eyes land on me and stick. He swirls the wine in his goblet. “You know, I can see the magic around you, black like smoke, clinging to your skin like oil.”
I open my mouth, not knowing enough about this Selric to trust him. My eyes flick to Vann.
He steps in. “Our business with the witches is our own.”
Theren nods, and his expression fades. “Of course,” he says, pouring more deep red liquid into our goblets. “Well, the night is young, and the fire demands to be fed. Drink with me.”
This wine is different, it smells of smoke and berries, rich and tantalizing. It’s the scent I smelled in the pools.
I raise my glass as Theren grins.
“To my nephew’s savior,” he says.
We drink, and the warmth of it spreads like molten flame through my chest as the dragons roar above us. Heat pools in my core, and I gasp at the sudden reaction.
Theren grins wickedly. “Welcome to Dragon’s Reach. Lord Vann, watch your wife, and enjoy the fire,” he says, before slithering away. Behind him, two of the elves begin to kiss passionately.
Chapter 30
ARLET
Iblink. My skin is oversensitive, and most of the room turns to chaos.
The elves swirl around me, dancing closer than I’d seen two people touch. They kiss. They laugh.
It all scrapes against me. The heat in my core intensifies, spreading through my limbs like wildfire. Vann turns to me, concern spreading across his features as he sees the flush creeping up my neck.
“Are you all right?” he asks, leaning in closer.
The feel of his breath ghosting over my skin makes my breast ache. I want to kiss him, to feel his lips. To eliminate the space between our bodies, and explore the inside of his mouth with mine. I want him to touch me, and then to show him the fastest way to make my body come apart. I want him to hold me close and never let go. The sudden rush of desire is overwhelming, pulsing through my veins like a fever.
I force myself to look away, my cheeks burning with embarrassment at the intensity of my longing. I take a deep breath, willing the heat within me to simmer down.
“I-I think I just need some air,” I manage to stammer out, pushing back from the table.
Vann's hand reaches out to stop me, his touch sending sparks of electricity through my body. “Let me come with you,” he offers, concern evident in his eyes.