Aspen and Willow have already gone, but Minnow remains. She purrs, stepping closer to whisper into his ear, “You’re highly tempting when you’re like this, Teggy. Almost takes me back to that night when you kissed my—” Her words die in her throat when he grips her arm, extending his claws. Now Minnow’s perfect façade cracks when he punctures her shining skin, drawing dots of blood.
“And yet, Istillcan’t rid your foul tastefrom my tongue. You’re pathetic, Mabel, or whatever your name is. So go and fuck someone elsetonight.”
My jaw drops at his crude words, and then I blush bright red as I imagine them together, their shimmering bodies entwined like a beautiful knot.
What was I thinking? As if Tegwyn would ever want me when he’s had Mabel, I mean,Minnow.
I feel Minnow’s satisfied smirk, and it looks like her job here is done. She may not have got to sink her claws into me, but she has still broken my spirit all the same.
I have never felt so small.
Finally, she rejoins her friends, and Tegwyn turns my way. “Ivy?”
I lift my face, and my heart cleaves in two when I spy the sorrow in his eyes. He knows that Minnow’s words got to me, yet he has no idea how to offer me comfort.
“You…you were right, Tegwyn… We should have just left.”
My voice cracks, and he doesn’t look as smug as I thought he would. No, he looks sad and broken, and I just want this night to end.
Suddenly, he places his arms around me, pulling me flush to his chest. Our noses brush, and soon it’s just the two of us, the revelers and the dancers all forgotten.
His warmth comforts me as he moves effortlessly, and who knew he could dance so well. My head is reeling, and once again, I feel as light as air.
“I didn’t know you could dance,” I giggle.
He looks a little affronted. “I’m not a complete heathen, you know, Ivy.”
There’s no missing the humour in his tone, and I laugh louder, uncaring who sees us now. Minnow can eat her heart out.
He chuckles. “Why are you laughing?”
“I’m just wondering what you will do next.Breathe fire?”
Tegwyn’s eyes flash, and then his fangs glint beneath the lanterns as he whispers huskily, “Only one way to find out.”
I’m not sure if he is wholly serious, but I embrace every moment, wrapping my hands around his neck.
Our hearts beat together, and I savour his proximity, breathing in his intoxicating scent.
“Ivy…” he whispers, his breath feathering my cheeks.
I open my eyes, drowning in his honeyed gaze. “Yes?”
His gaze falls on my lips, and then his pupils blow out, taking over his eyes. Then he turns his face away, sighing in defeat. “N-nothing.”
Well, that’s disappointing. For a moment, I thought he was going to… Never mind.
“Tegwyn?”
“Yeah?”
A frustrated huff escapes me, and I meet his black eyes, the ones ringed with gold. “When are you going to kiss me?”
His countenance falters, and then he stops spinning. “What are you—?”
He doesn’t get to finish his sentence as I grip his cheek, letting our lips meet for the first time.
30
