“Indeed.”
“Although I think I’ll attribute the stumbling to alcohol.”
“I’ve no doubt about that.” He stepped right and I mirrored him. “Dancing is not much different than sparring. It’s all about footwork and feeling the music. Just follow my lead.”
I was used to doing that, so I let myself stop thinking and just moved with him. His hand warmed my lower back just above my ass. He tugged me a little closer until my chest brushed against his. The corset pushed my breasts enough to show cleavage, and I caught him glance down. My breath stilted at the intimacy of this. His touch firm but gentle. The melodic music and swirling mist mixed with the low lighting. It surprised me that he would dance so close with other assassins watching.
“Is there something bothering you tonight?” I wondered aloud.
His eyes snapped to mine. “Why do you ask?”
“I’ve been around you long enough to tell. Is it your Aunt Murial’s prophecy about me? The birds and paths...”
His jaw muscles flickered. “It’s been on my mind.”
“What did she see about me and you?” I swallowed, suddenly nervous. “She said she knew I would be important to you long before we ever met.”
He pulled his gaze, and by the tightening of his lips, I knew he didn’t want to tell me... which made me all the more curious. She said she didn’t know I’d be his apprentice, so what did she see? Was it metaphorical like mine?
The silence lasted too long, and the drinks and twirling made my head spin. I laid my cheek against his chest and inhaled. He smelled good. “Who taught you to dance?” I asked.
“Apart from Nighthaven Academy, I had tutors for everything. My childhood was filled with lessons, not play. Manners were extremely important to my father. As well as charming people at court, how to dress, how to eat, how to dance, how to play a musical instrument—or three. Philosophy and more.”
“You sound like you didn’t enjoy it.”
“I appreciate it now, even if I didn’t at the time.”
I licked my lips and glanced up at him. “When you say charming people, what does that mean?”
He half smiled. “Let’s just say I can be very good at pretending to enjoy company I don’t like, making people laugh, persuading them to do what I want, and of course captivating women.”
I arched a brow. “Captivating, huh?”
“It’s not that difficult most of the time.” His grip tightened ever so slightly on my back. He captivated me long ago. “But I’m not that man anymore. I don’t like being around people I have to pretend with. My aunt wants me to go to Midsummer, but I hate how fake everyone is at court. It’s all about impressing others and bragging. Most of the people, and the trivial things they care about, are insufferable, especially after you’ve seen what we have outside the wall.”
“I hope you’re comfortable with me.”
“I don’t know if I ever felt more at ease with anyone else in my life.”
I wasn’t sure how to respond to that, but my heart started to beat erratically. “We can go if you’d like,” I said softly. “I’m pretty sure you only came here because I wanted to. I’ve had enough fun. I’m actually dizzy.”
He stopped despite others dancing around us. “Was it the Dragon’s Breath or the shots of whisky?” he teased, and we moved toward the exit.
We passed by Falcon and Scout. They both lifted their glasses to me with little smirks. “Too much to drink, eh?” Scout razzed.
I stuck out my tongue, and he chuckled. I turned to Vander. “Both, I think.”
With Vander’s arm around the back of my waist, we stepped out into the cold night. I hadn’t even realized it was dark already. My skin prickled as my old fear of the dark trickled in. I’d gotten used to the safety of the city wall, but my instincts were still there. If we were outside the wall, I’d certainly be vampire food with the way the stars were spinning. I was in no condition to fight any monsters. Note to self, don’t drink the Dragon’s Breath or whisky at Enchanted Elixir.
Stormbreaker neighed as we approached the post he and Lady Sora were tied to.
I tugged out of Vander’s grasp and reached for my horse. I lifted my foot to get it in the stirrup, and it kept moving away like it was playing a game with me.
“You can’t even get your foot in the stirrup?” Vander smiled despite sounding bothered. “How many shots did Eldwulf buy you?”
“I could, if it would stop moving. And just two whisky shots.”
“It’s not moving. I bet he ordered theenchantedwhisky.”
