Page 30 of Her Ivory Flame

“Yeah, that was a long time ago.”

“Compared to how long of a life we live it really isn’t.” His hand crawled up her bare back slightly and she flinched, glaring at him.

He was right, Fae lived for dozens of centuries depending on their lifestyle, just like her people. One hundred years was a fraction of their life, but this last century still felt like a lifetime to her.

“For me it is.” She tried to pull back from him some but his grip on her held her too tight to maneuver. “Careful Declan.” she warned.

“I’ve been dying to hold you since you walked through that door, it's just hard for me to let you go.” His head dipped to theside of her head, his lips close to her ear. “Remember the night before the war and how we stayed up almost all night wrapped up in one another? How can that just be nothing to you now?" His voice got deep and she could feel her stomach start to twist.

To him it might have been magical, but anything to do with sex with him was lack-luster for her and she was more worried about the battle than what they were doing in bed.

Her heart raced and knew one of the other males she came with would sense it if she didn’t calm her anxiety brewing inside her. She knew if Silas intervened, it would cause a bigger scene than she would like to make this evening.

“Being carved up and broken into pieces on Mavros’s stone slab tends to change someone, Declan.” She tried to keep her voice from shaking. “I’m not the same person you used to love. "

She could see his eyes flicker with surprise at her details she decided to share, the nature of her captivity still not known to him or the king.

“Maybe I will love the new you just as much?” His arms dropped her into a dip along with everyone else dancing before pulling her back up. She could feel her chest start to tighten and the familiar feeling of panic rising in her throat.

“Maybe the new me doesn’t want you to,” she muttered back, her body starting to tense in anticipation of his response.

A large hand grabbed at Declan’s hand, wrenching his hold from her and she knew by the sheer size of the figure, it wasn’tSilas. Declan released her before he could say another word, Kaden gently guiding her behind him without making contact with her.

“You’re upsetting my Queen.” Kaden’s voice was sharp and a chill was sent down her spine.

My queen.

She didn’t know how to respond and just looked to Declan who knew he was no match for Kaden if it came down to a brawl, unlike with Silas.

“It was unintentional, just trying to catch up with one another after all these years.” Declan’s tone was calm but his body was visibly irritated. People around them had started to stare, the tension in the air could be felt hovering around them.

She tried to look for Silas, but it seemed he had disappeared out of sight. Instead she saw Declan disappear into the crowd with a sour look on his face.

Kaden turned to look at her, his eyes consumed in careful thought and she wondered what he was deciding. A small tug at her stomach caught her off guard, a new force to it she had not felt and looked around trying to find the source.

“Shall we?” Kaden whispered and she turned to see his hand outstretched to her.

“You want to dance?”

“Easiest way to protect you.” He sighed, obvious it wasn’t his first choice. “Don’t worry, I won’t touch you more than necessary.”

She gave him a questionable look but grabbed his hand, a tingling sensation coursing through her as their skin glided against one another. She ignored it, his arm wrapping around her backside and they started moving slowly around everyone in steady steps.

He wasn’t as good of a dancer as Silas, but for some reason she felt steadier with him. His hold on her was strong and she oddly liked it, it made her feel more confident in the crowd. There was no hint of panic from his touch now, but she wasn’t sure if it was because she was used to him or so overwhelmed she didn’t know how to feel.

“I’m guessing you have a different type of dancing where you are from?” He asked bluntly, his eyes glancing down at hers.

“We are not as formal, or at least we weren’t. I guess it doesn’t matter now.” She let her voice fade as she looked away from him, the familiar weight of her guilt filling her chest.

“It will always matter,” he whispered

The song ended and she glanced back up at him, curious if she just heard him correctly. His eyes were scanning the crowd, and when they narrowed suddenly, she knew who he saw. She looked to see Silas standing back in his spot she had last seen him in, his eyes watched her carefully.

She stared towards him, her mind trying to process both interactions with the males she came with and she felt her stomach churn with each step. She wasn’t sure if she wanted to acknowledge whathappened earlier with Silas, or if she should pass it off as a wistful moment at a fancy party.

Silas grabbed her hand and he intertwined his fingers with hers in comfort once she got close enough. His eyes looked down at her then back to Kaden who was right behind her.

“Where did you go?” Kaden’s low voice directed towards Silas.