Something in the way he said it sent a faint, unexpected tingle through her.
“Vale Crossing must be a hell of a change,” Maldenis said, shifting closer like he already belonged in her space. “No one telling you what to be. No one keeping you in a box. You can do whatever you want.” His gaze dragged over her, slow and unapologetic. “Bet that’s fun.”
The implication was clear.
Liora arched a brow. “You can’t just give me drinks and expect me to fall for that line.”
The corner of his mouth tilted, confident and infuriatingly calm. “Didn’t say I expected anything,” he replied. “Just saying. You don’t look like someone who needs much convincing.”
She sighed, though the sound carried more amusement than annoyance. Some things, apparently, were universal. Basilisk, Drakkon, human—it didn’t matter. Guys were guys. And if she were honest with herself, she didn’t entirely mind. There was something entertaining about his boldness, something easy in the way he stepped into her space without hesitation, like he’d already decided she wouldn’t push him away. Her gaze flickered to the powerful line of his shoulders, to the strength hinted beneath the dark fabric stretched across his chest.
Confidence. Strength. Just enough arrogance to make things interesting.
Fine. She would play. For the first time that evening, Liora allowed herself to simply exist in the moment.
“Liora.”
She turned as her brother approached the bar. “It looks like we have to wait for confirmation,” he said, glancing between her and Maldenis.
Maldenis gave a small, unbothered shrug. “Yes. Our mothers are not here.” His voice held quiet certainty. “They’ll be back soon.”
“Just our luck,” Elian quipped dryly. He dragged a hand through his hair, already turning away. “I need another drink.”
Without waiting for a response, he slipped back toward the main hall, disappearing into the glow and noise of the larger bar.
Liora opened her mouth. “We could just drink?—”
She stopped herself. Her gaze shifted to Maldenis, who was watching her with open curiosity, his golden eyes glinting in the firelight. The private lounge suddenly felt warmer, quieter, and charged with possibility.
They could drink here. Or she could stay…with him. A slow smile touched her lips.
She turned fully toward him, resting her elbow lightly against the stone bar. “Looks like we have time to spare.”
Maldenis’s expression sharpened with interest. “I suspected you might see it that way.”
“So,” Liora said, tilting her head slightly, her voice carrying a playful challenge, “what else does one do in Solkaris while waiting for destiny to arrive?”
A low, amused sound rumbled in his chest. “That depends on how adventurous you are.”
She met his gaze without hesitation, curiosity and mischief sparking in her. Whatever heaviness had weighed on her earlier—prophecies, danger, divine blood—felt distant for now. She had time, and she intended to enjoy it.
Liora held his gaze, letting a slow, thoughtful look cross her face. “You know,” she began, her tone deliberately casual, “I’ve decided Solkaris is entirely too hot for me.”
Maldenis glanced sideways at her. “Is that so?”
“Mm-hmm.” She nodded solemnly. “I’m melting. Please tell me there’s a place where we could cool off?”
Inwardly, she added,and I’d finally get to see what you look like under that shirt.Her gaze drifted, briefly, innocently, across his chest again before returning to his face.
His smile widened slowly. “You’re very transparent, Liora from the Upperworld,” he murmured.
She gasped softly in mock offense. “I am not.”
His golden eyes gleamed. “You’re in luck,” he said, voice dropping slightly. “There’s a spot nearby. A spring. One of the few in our land.”
The way he said it made it sound less like a location and more like an invitation.
“Hidden,” he continued. “Cool. Private.”
