Jasila stood in the doorway.
“Aww, how nice.Now move it!We are lateagain.” Her words cracked like a whip.Behind her, Theo was spinning on his heel, his body twisting away from her path as if avoiding a wild animal.
Jasila strolled ahead of us, her dark hair flowing down her back.
“Why is she so scary?”Theo whispered, his arm bumping against mine.“Hot without a doubt, but terrifying.”
Tavrik fell into step beside us, taking place on my other side as we moved through endless hallways.Mira had stayed behind, promising to meet us later.
I shook my head, though I had to admit Theo was right.Jasila radiated power and intimidation, but her beauty was undeniable.
“Yeah, she isbeautiful.”Tavrik murmured.He was transfixed as her hips swayed with each step, her bronze skin gleaming, the dark fabric of her skirts swishing.His pupils dilated, lips parting as if he’d forgotten how to breathe.
Theo and I turned our heads to him in unison.His eyes remained locked on Jasila’s retreating form.Did he realize what he’d said out loud?
Tavrik finally noticed our attention.He furrowed his brow as he looked between us.“What?”
“Nothing,” we said at the same time.Then the dam broke.Our laughter echoed off the walls, filling the corridor.
“You’re both annoying.”Tavrik rolled his eyes as we finally stepped through the massive doors into the throne room.
The feasting and chatter had already begun.
Jasila beckoned us with a crook of her finger, positioning us to face the king.We exchanged glances as we stepped forward.Three people stood ahead of us, their bodies draped in black clothing that rippled and shifted as they bowed.They parted slowly like dark water, revealing him.
My stomach dropped.Not from dread, but something heavier.Though I had seen him mere hours ago, my mind somehow dulled the memory of just how utterly mesmerising he was.
His chest glistened with sweat, bare save for the obsidian fabric slung over one shoulder.Heavy relics hung around his neck catching the light of the massive braziers that spewed flames on either side of him.His hair hung loose around his shoulders, dampened strands pushed back from his face, revealing the angles of his cheekbones and the intensity of his gaze.
I hadn’t realised just how long I was staring—drinking him in like someone dying of thirst—until Jasila cleared her throat.I snapped my head down, but not before catching the corner of his mouth twitch upward.
When I lifted my head again, Iznia had approached him, her long auburn hair framing her face as she leaned in and whispered something in his ear.Hunger flashed across his face, yet his eyes—piercing, devouring—never left mine.His gaze raked over every inch of me, lingering on the serpent arm link, his eyes widening just enough to betray his interest.
Earlier he’d passed me like I was invisible, but now it was as if he couldn’t look anywhere else.
It was maddening—disorienting.What game was he was playing at?
As if summoned by my fraying composure, Azmik’s flaming head emerged from behind the throne, shifting his way up and over.Iznia shrieked, jerking away from the king.I smiled at the sound, savouring the small victory.
Iznia’s eyes—deep blue, like the depths of the ocean—watched as Azmik moved over Dalkhan’s chest and shoulders like living fire.The serpent’s head lifted, focusing on me.His glowing slits expanded, and he hissed in what I believed was recognition.Azmik coiled tighter around his master before moving down Dalkhan’s body and slithering toward me, leaving trails of embers that sparked and died.
“Nope.No.I can’t.”Theo stumbled backward, his feet tangling beneath him as if he’d forgotten how to walk.He dipped into an awkward bow before scrambling away.
Jasila and Tavrik remained rooted in place, their bodies tense.
Dalkhan dragged his thumb under his bottom lip, the rough pad catching on its fullness as he observed the interaction.Iznia still hovered nearby, nostrils flaring as she narrowed her eyes at me.Hatred rolled off her in almost palpable waves.
Azmik nudged against my ankle, his flames warming my skin.I crouched down, knees cracking as I slid my hand beneath his body and lifted him.He coiled around my arm before winding his way up to my shoulders and burrowing his burning head into my hair.
I leaned toward Jasila, dropping my voice low.“What do I do?Do I return him, or can I have him for a little while?”
Azmik made no move to leave, his body tightening in what felt like possessiveness.
Jasila looked to Dalkhan and nodded, her movements so subtle I almost missed it.“Go sit.He may stay with you.”
I frowned, my eyebrows knitting together.“When did he say that?”
Dalkhan was lounging on his throne, not a single word having passed his lips.
