A smirk played at his lips, his tongue briefly slipping between them.
“That dream plays in my mind every moment I lay eyes on you, Bonscaíh,” he purred, closing the space between us. “And Ireliveit every moment of privacy I’m allowed.”
Heat zipped down my core as I processed his words. His lips stretched into a wide, suggestive smile before throwing me a wink and straightening.
Warmth pooled in my lower abdomen, and I crossed my legs, kissing my thighs together. Kellan scanned my face, and his eyes suddenly softened, the heat in them cooling. His brows creased, and his lips pursed in something like regret after several moments.
“I’m sorry about Aeriden. I shouldn’t have sent you to scout,” he murmured as his brows narrowed.
My gaze dipped.
“If something would have happened to you?—”
“I’m more than capable,” I cut in.
His lip twitched in response. “Oh, I know,” he replied, nodding softly. “You always have been.”
The heat swarming in my midsection melted into something softer, something more tender.
“We weren’t prepared for what was out there,” I murmured, and my heart squeezed as I thought about my brother. “We had no way of knowing.”
“What did the creatures trick you into hearing?” Kellan asked, leaning forward and angling his head down toward me. His dark lashes fluttered as his gaze slipped to my mouth.
Him. I heard him. My chest rose and fell as my breathing became rapid. Fuck, I needed to put some space between us.
“I’ll tell you mine if you tell me yours,” I murmured, my lips parting. The sounds and scents of the tavern faded into the background of some strange dream.
“I don’t play games,” Kellan replied, his gaze boring into mine.
I held it without blinking, its intensity drawing me in like a moth to the flame.
“There will be no miscommunication between us. I’ve known you for some time. And I’ve acceptedexactlywhat you are to me since you took down the shield in Aedrialis.”
Aedrialis. That was when things had changed between us.
“Which is?” I asked through a tight breath, my lungs starved for oxygen.
Kellan’s head dipped as he leaned forward, lips opening to reply when a delicate hand clasped on his elbow, and he stilled. The haze that engulfed us vanished in an instant, and my eyes landed on Naomi.
“I seem to recall you owing me a dance when your last visit was cut short, Lord Astraeus,” she said. Her gaze skipped between us, and her light eyebrows narrowed.
Kellan’s lips pursed for a moment before he plastered the familiar, cocky smirk back onto his face and turned to the healer.
“Of course,” he murmured, standing and offering his arm.
I willed my powers to calm as my blood turned to ice, a surprising surge of jealousy flooding my chest. He led Naomi to the dance floor, where a lively chorus took over. The crowd made way for the apparent savior of Votruvia.
Naomi’s fingers slipped through his, and she pressed her body so tightly against his chest that her ivory breasts bulged up from the low-cut bodice of her crimson dress.
“You look like you’re about to implode,” Isla snickered before plopping two cups of ale onto the table. Her eyes followed mine to where Kellan’s hand slid around the tiny waist of the healer, their movements smooth and in sync with one another and the music.
“What am I doing, Isles? What am I thinking?” I shook my head to clear the foggy envy.
“Drinking,” Isla murmured, sliding the mug toward me.
I picked it up and took a long swig.
“A word of advice, my dear friend,” she continued, her eyes sliding to where Raek and Vulcan stood shoulder to shoulder, their smiles wide and the backs of their hands touching.
