Her tumultuous emotions sizzled on my skin. It had become second nature to let my mind brush against hers to catch them. A dangerous addiction, since it allowed her to do the same with mine, but I couldn’t stop.
She was torn. Part of her reveled in this dance, in the exhilarating play with a fire that threatened to burn us at any moment. Like a bird whose cage had been opened unexpectedly, and now it was hesitating at the threshold, entranced by the beckoning freedom of the sky yet too afraid to take the plunge.
“Oh, come on.” My taunt vibrated in the air as I dipped her, my grip steady. “I did not judge you such a coward.”
Come, my queen, spread your wings and fly.
She straightened, her eyes flashing. Then she was gone. A few swift steps took her out of my arms and closer to the fire, its glow revealing every tempting curve of her body through the sheer material of her dress.
Had I taken things too far? Suddenly, I noticed all the eyes on us: Aramaz standing next to the dancefloor, flanked by Ashur and M’tar—
“Catch me.”The breathless command in my mind was the onlywarning I got.
“What?”
Baradaz flew back to me as the music crested, drums and fiddles rising to a storm. I acted instinctually, my hands on her waist as she jumped, propelling her up in the air.
The world fell away. There was only her. Wild smile, molten silver eyes, her light raging around us, illuminating the night sky behind her. Unfettered. Free.
Something washed through me like a wave as I brought her down again, my hand cradling her head, swiftly dipping her, my fingers tangled in her fiery locks. Something warm and inescapable that filled my entire being. She let herself fall without hesitation, her head thrown back in one of those hoarse laughs. A twist of my fingers released her hair, sending pearls and flower petals cascading down in a waterfall of white and silver.
I wanted to kiss that laughter from her lips. I wanted to sink my teeth into that beckoning, vulnerable throat and taste her. I wanted… impossible things.
Instead, I gently pulled her up and stepped back, my hands lingering a moment too long. The dance had ended.
My face settled into a bland, polite expression. My shadows clung close to my skin. Breaths even and measured. Control. I had always been a master of it. So why did it feel nearly impossible to restrain myself around her?
“Sister.” I bowed respectfully, as befitted her status. She accepted it with a regal nod, slipping back into her role as the gracious queen.
One last caress of her magic tickled my ear.“Courageous enough?”The corner of her lips lifted in a secret smile; a smile meant only for me.
“You,”I sent back,“are insane. And utterly beautiful.”
My gaze drifted to our audience. Silent stares turned to whispers.I feared there would be a price to pay for our daring. Then, loud clapping. With a wide smile on his face, the king stepped closer. The crowd took the cue, and applause rose around us. As if this had been nothing more than a performance, a pleasant little show to amuse them.
I searched my brother’s face. Did he truly not notice anything amiss? Or was he shrewder than I gave him credit for, stepping in before this could become a scandal? To my surprise, I couldn’t read that bright, sky-blue gaze. What would it take, I wondered, to raise his suspicion? What would it take to make him worry?
Not everyone was as gullible as Aramaz, though. M’tar and Ashur had not joined the applause, their expressions disapproving. I was loath to deal with them tonight.
The Veil was thick here, so close to the center of Order and Light, the toll on my power high as I tore into the fabric of reality to open a gate. Yet it was worth it. My brother was right. This was too good an opportunity to send a message to let it pass me by.
Ignoring the shocked cries ringing out at the sight of the dark entrance to the Other appearing and the bite of Chaos in the air, I lifted my hand in invitation. “My queen,” I said to Baradaz. “Ready to follow me into Darkness once more?”
Her gaze did not waver as she put her hand in mine.
CHAPTER
27
THE GOLDEN DAYS OF LYRHEIM
1800 years after the making of Aron-Lyr
Rada
That was foolish, impossible, and completely unnecessary,” I snapped at Belekoroz as soon as the gate to the Other closed behind us, yanking my hand from his with a sharp pull, my magic illuminating the dim haze of the endless plains around us.
Unfazed by my fury, he gave me an amused glance. “Oh, believe me, it was very necessary,” he said, moving closer despite my indignant snort. “Besides, I wouldn’t want to rob you of the pleasure of giving me a thorough scolding.”
