Melek’s eyes glimmered with secrets. “She’s special, Ty.”
“If she has your interest, then she’s more than just special,” I replied.
He brushed his knuckles along my jaw, his expression warming. “As are you.”
Any other day, I would have scoffed at the statement and rolled my eyes. But hearing them now meant something to me. I caught his hand and pressed a kiss to his inner wrist, thanking him without words.
He held my gaze for a beat. “I only gave her atmospheric spells, mostly to help with temperature and creating food. The way she healed that Centaur wasn’t what I’d meant for her to do, but it certainly said a lot about her character.”
“It did,” I conceded.
“So maybe she’ll be able to pull the wind around her to help keep her stable when she finishes falling.” He lifted his shoulders. “Or she’ll continue to ignore my gifts.”
I pressed another kiss to his wrist, releasing him. “Time will tell.”
“Indeed.” He picked up his glass again, whispering an enchantment to refill it. He’d conjured the drink originally as well, choosing to use his magic over requesting any sort of service.
“Sponsors are permitted private booths, you know,” I said conversationally as I started playing with the screen. “You don’t have to lurk in the corner and manage your own drinks. We do have staff for that.”
“Am I technically a sponsor?” he asked, his eyes dancing across the images as I started scrolling to find someone else to observe while we waited for this portion to end.
“I don’t know. Are you?” I glanced at him.
He lifted a shoulder. “I’m undecided.”
I considered him for a long moment, noting that the agitation wafting off of him wasn’t due to irritation so much as a result of his underlying concern for the girl.
“Melek.” His multicolored eyes met mine. “You realize I would give her to you, yes?” I’d already said this more than once, but I vocalized it again, just to drive the point home. “Then you wouldn’t have to worry about her.”
“I’m not worried.” His tone confirmed he meant it, yet that underlying note of agitation continued to permeate the air between us. I knew my prince well. He might not think he was worried, but deep down, he cared whether the girl lived or died. And something told me it wasn’t just because of what it would do to his soul if she perished.
“I need to see what she can do before I decide how to proceed,” he added after a beat of silence.
“With the mating?” I questioned, my gaze returning to the screens in time to watch one of the candidates slip onto another Centaur’s back. They seemed to be finding several potential brides.Good.
“With everything,” Melek replied cryptically.
“Hmm,” I hummed. “More games.”
He merely smiled in response, then took over the remote to turn off the screen as one of my Hellhounds approached with a gold tablet in his hands.
I arched a brow. “The royal lieutenants are not supposed to report until the end of the trial.”
“Some are sending in mid-term reports,” he replied, his voice gruff.
Melek chuckled beside me. “I think they’re eager, my lord.” He reached for the tablet. “Thank you, Payan.”
The Hellhound dipped his chin, then slowly backed away as Melek set the tablet between us on the table. My drink refilled in the next instant, my prince having whispered a spell to replenish the cup just like he’d done with his own.
“Let’s see how things are going, hmm?” he mused, his palm falling to my thigh to allow me to take charge of the tablet.
“Another game?” I asked as his touch started to drift upward.
“Is seduction a game?” he countered.
“With you?” I met his multicolored gaze. “Always.”
His lips curled. “Then it’s one you enjoy.” His finger drifted over my zipper and the growing arousal beneath. “Engage the tablet, my king. I wish to see how your kingdom is faring.”
