I peered about the room. There were a few in sage-green robes from the scholars’ guild gathered at a table in the corner. Two tables full of mages in purple. A handful of warriors in their gold-and-white uniform tunics. Everyone else was dressed in civilian clothes. Some would be retired from the guilds or simply not in uniform, or they were of ducai lineage but didn’t have the abilities and were selected for other jobs in the city. Some could even be humans who were allowed to work inside Nighthaven.
“I got my first kiss a couple days ago.” I sighed, downing the last of my mead. I set my cup down with aplunk. “Not fromwho you think. We ran into the man I would have married if I didn’t get selected.” The longing for Vander overpowered my guilt for turning Kace down. I wanted him here. The desire was so strong it clawed, writhed to get back to him. The constant pull to be close to Vander made me feel exposed and vulnerable. Like there was some otherworldly force sewing our fates together. It occurred to me, and not for the first time, that maybe the gods were testing us. To see if we’d kill each other or if I’d save him. Were we just pawns in their game? Why would I, the only person to not turn into a vampire when bitten, be paired with a vampire assassin?
“Your first kiss?” Taewyn pulled me from my thoughts. “Aesira, you’re sweet and gorgeous, and you’re just now getting a first kiss?”
I shrugged. “I was waiting for him.”
“Well, that’s special. I think I remember him. He rushed to the platform when you were called ducai. I bet you miss him.”
“He still wants to marry me.” I tapped my toes to the new tune. It was quick and upbeat. I didn’t want to think about Kace. I needed another mug of mead.
“That can only happen with special permission since he’s not a Nighthaven citizen, but I’ve heard of allowances. One of my old neighbors married a woman from Lothleton. She was brought inside, but it’s easier for scholars than it is for us. Since most of us live in you-know-where and no one can know where it is.”
Kace would be chieftain; he couldn’t move into Nighthaven. “I told him no anyway. I don’t feel the same anymore.”
Taewyn sat taller and arched a brow. “Vander.”
It was pathetic that it was so obvious that I wanted Vander. Everyone seemed to know. “It’s only partly because of Vander.”
“No,Vander.” He tipped his mug to point behind me.
I turned and my entire body buzzed. Vander stood just inside the door, glancing about the room. He was in a plain black tunicand casual dark trousers, not noble attire like the last time we’d come into the city for a night out. He was the most beautiful man I’d ever seen. It didn’t matter what he wore.
“I didn’t tell him we were coming here,” I said softly, gripping the back of my chair. “And he said he wasn’t joining us.”
Taewyn snorted. “It’s Vander. You think he would have let his apprentice leave without knowing where you were going?”
That was true. He finally turned toward us, and my eyes met his. A slow smile pulled at the corners of his lovely mouth. Something hot and fiery lit inside me. I rose out of my chair, and he moved through the crowd. The chatter, the music, the noise all faded away. “Hi, Vander.” The longing ache for him eased. I could breathe fully again. “What are you doing here?”
“I was bored without you.”
I threw my arms around his neck and swayed back and forth to the music. “You missed me already?”
He laughed quietly and gripped my waist. The feel of his hands on me made me tingle all over. He leaned down closer to my ear. “I did. I’m going to get a drink. Can I get you anything?” His deep, honeyed voice sent goosebumps along my arms.
“Another mead, please.” I pulled my arms from his neck and plopped into my seat. I watched him walk to the bar top, admiring the way he moved like nothing in the world scared him. But that man scared me. Terrified me. I was still falling into that endless abyss, waiting to see if he’d ever catch me and pull me to him.
“You love him.” Taewyn smiled at me from behind his mug.
“Stop it,” I hissed.
“No, you do.”
I threw my head back and groaned. “Keep your mouth shut, Taewyn, or I’ll rat you and Ingrid out.”
He pretended to button his lips and then laughed. Vander returned with three mugs. He set mine down first, then pushed one in front of Taewyn. “Wow, thanks, sir,” Taewyn beamed.
“You’re welcome.”
“I thought you didn’t drink with apprentices?” I teased and playfully tapped his knee.
He smiled and leaned back in the old wood chair. “Well, one of the apprentices isn’t so bad and I made an exception.”
“Must be Taewyn you came for,” I added and stifled my laughter by taking a drink. I probably didn’t need a second mug of mead, now that I thought about it.
He rolled his eyes, then leaned forward, putting his forearms against the table. “How did you know?”
“Wild guess.”
