“Just go—” Jasila pressed a hand against my lower back, shoving me.Azmik’s head shot out from my hair, fangs bared as he hissed at her, his flames flaring so bright that shadows danced across nearby walls.
My heart fluttered, a strange warmth blooming in my chest.Lifting my chin, I pulled Azmik back, stroking along the underside of his jaw until he relented.I pressed my lips against his flaming head.Sparks tingled my lips.
From the corner of my eye, I caught Dalkhan’s lips quirking, one side pulling up to reveal the edge of his teeth before his face returned to stone.He brought Iznia’s head closer, her spine bending in a graceful curve that pushed her chest forward.He whispered something in her ear that immediately brightened her expression.Her tongue darted out to wet her lips, her body melting at his words.
I scoffed and pivoted on my heel, selecting a seat several spots away from Theo to spare him another fainting episode.The empty chair beside me was quickly claimed by Mira, who stifled a yelp with her palm, her eyes widened to perfect circles.
“Why are you wearing the king’s snake like an accessory?”she asked, her voice a trembling whisper.
I laughed, gliding my hand over Azmik’s scales.Warmth pulsed beneath them.“He’s not anaccessory, and please calm down.He’s harmless.”
A deep chuckle rumbled from across the table as I selected an assortment of foods for my plate.
Kaseer pointed a thick finger in my direction, his other hand firmly wrapped around a brass cup of wine, the liquid sloshing dangerously close to the rim.
“I wouldn’t call him harmless.”He shook his head, Adam’s apple bobbing as he took a deep swallow that drained half his cup.“I’ve seen just howharmfulhe truly is.”
I tore into a piece of spiced lamb, the meat dissolving against my tongue in an explosion of flavour.I chewed slowly, savouring each note.
“You’re just jealous.”I waved another morsel of meat like a taunt before popping it in my mouth.
“Jealous!Ha!”A deep laugh erupted from in his belly, vibrating the wooden table beneath my elbows.
“Elira, you are the only one who seems to like him… well, other than the king.”Theo’s voice carried from down the table as he leaned forward, his torso stretched across the wooden surface to catch my eye, nearly upending a bowl of fruit in his eagerness.
I mouthed ‘jealous’ with exaggerated lip movements before reclining back in my seat, effectively severing his line of sight.
He chuckled lightly before returning to his conversation with Tavrik.
I devoured my meal with single-minded focus, each bite blending into the next until satisfaction bloomed within me like a flower.Pushing my empty plate forward with a contented sigh, I placed my elbows against the table.Azmik sliding with my movement, his body adjusting to maintain balance, his even breaths suggesting he had fallen asleep, tiny puffs of breath warmed my neck.
Mira and Jasila’s heads were bent close together, conversing freely.Jasila’s shoulders loosened, the corners of her eyes crinkling when she smiled at Mira—a softness she never directed at me.
So it wasn’t a mortal thing, it was a ‘me’ thing.How nice.
I opened my mouth to try and join their conversation when a deep voice sounded from behind me, sliding down my spine like warm honey.
“Thereyou are.”
I twisted in my seat.Jaruun circled around, his movements fluid as he claimed the spot across from me.
He had been handsome during the Hunt, but in the firelight his features sharpened into something more striking—more dangerous.He dressed similarly to the other men but wore it with a confidence that set him apart, like a wolf among dogs.His dark eyes roamed over me with unabashed interest before settling on Azmik.His shoulders tensed.
“Interesting choice ofnecklace,” he mused, the furrow between his brows deepening.
“Let me guess, you’re not fond either?”I reached for my cup, but Jaruun’s hand shot out, his warm fingers encircling my wrist.
“I couldn’t care less about it,” he said, his thumb tracing slow circles against my skin.“I’m more interested in what’s beneath it.”His lips pulled into a smirk, revealing the edges of his white teeth as he leaned closer.The scent of spiced wine and leather enveloped me.“In what makes your blood run so hot.”
Heat surged to my cheeks, spreading down my neck.Azmik’s body temperature seemed to rise in response, his scales nearly scorching my skin.It was a warning I couldn’t ignore.
I tugged my hand free from Jaruun’s grasp, my lips forming a playful smile.“And why are you so interested in me?”I maintained eye contact as I sipped the wine.
Reclining, he dragged his full bottom lip through his teeth.“I was robbed of my prize.”
“What a shame.”I drawled, draining my cup in one long swallow before setting it down with a thud.
His hand darted out again, grabbing my wrist with more pressure.He pitched forward, close enough that his breath fanned across my face, warm and wine scented.His eyes dropped to my lips with such naked hunger that my body responded against my will.
