“See you then.”
After leaving a handful of bits on the table to cover our meal, Noc stood and the two of them headed for the stairs, presumably toward Kost’s room. As I watched them go, I wrapped my fingers in the chain of my bestiary. The hum of power reverberated through my fingertips, and warmth sparked through my Charmer’s symbol. The soothing relief I felt just from that simple action was something Gaige would never experience again. I could understand his agony, his despair. I hadn’t even thought what it would’ve been like for him to return to Hireath. And then to argue with Kost… I let my hand fall away. I wouldn’t let Kost search alone. We’d find Gaige, no matter what.
Twenty-One
Noc
Despite Kost’s best efforts, we had no chance of blending in with Rhynelanders. Not because our attire was lacking in any way—he’d done his due diligence and selected ivy-colored outfits trimmed in gold, the collars of our fitted tunics plunging down our exposed sternums—but because Leena was so regal in her presence, it was impossible not to look. Her emerald sleeveless gown was more polished than a gemstone and moved with the fluidity of water, clinging to her every curve. With each step she took, an exposed slit of skin flashed along her thighs. Tantalizing. Mesmerizing. Even with my arm around her, I couldn’t get enough. I was painfully aware of how little time we’d spent together. How much I wanted to let my fingers explore every inch of her. To taste the curve of her neck and feel her breath against me.
We’d only just left the tavern, and already I was dying to carry her back to our room.
Reaching up, she dragged her fingers along the wide brim of my formal hat before giving it a tug, casting a shadow over my eyes. “I could get used to this. It’s mysterious.”
“I wouldn’t count on it,” I said. The hat had been Kost’s idea, and while I wasn’t accustomed to wearing one, it expertly hid my white locks and shrouded my features.
“Leena, my sweet, you’re a sight to behold.” Calem sidled up beside us and gave her a suggestive wink. He tilted his head in my direction, catching death in my glare, and laughed before throwing his hands up in mock apology.
She only rolled her eyes as she draped a light shawl over her shoulders. “Your antics are getting old, Calem. I’m not even sure you have game anymore.”
He pretended to be affronted but couldn’t hide his grin. “I’ve never given it my all with you. You have no idea how charming I can be.”
Without warning, Leena’s emblem ignited in a soothing, rosewood glow, and she raised a coy brow. “Don’t bait a Charmer. You’ll never win.”
“Enough, you two.” Kost inched closer, nodding to Leena’s symbol. “Let’s not give the locals something to gossip about.” Sheepishly, Leena clasped her hands together and capped her power. The light faded instantly, and she offered Kost an apologetic smile.
Ozias surveyed the swelling crowd. “Seems like the whole city is out tonight.”
He wasn’t wrong. Before us, the streets were packed with bodies, all of them dipped in gold in some fashion or another. Flecks were dusted across their skin and paint dripped along their cheeks. It was magnificent. Where vendor stalls had been earlier, makeshift daises now held their place. Musicians and dancers took center stage, ensuring that there was always something to catch the eye. The beats were rhythmic, the foreign tunes full of rejoicing. And even though a chill had descended as the sun fell below the horizon, there was no escaping the heat of so many bodies pressed tightly against one another, or the plethora of fires contained within barrels that lined the streets.
Slowly, we moved with the crowd in the direction of the castle. And Leena drank everything in. Her hazel eyes devoured sight after sight, her smile impossibly wide. She’d even sway to the music if we stopped long enough to hear a full song, and she gasped each time the dancers performed an impossible twirl or dip.
Craning my neck toward her, I whispered against her ear. “Enjoying yourself?”
“Definitely.” She was breathless. Radiant.
I ran my knuckles along her jaw, then angled her chin toward me. “Good. Maybe tonight…” Dragging my thumb across her lip, I felt her startled inhale. A sudden, sharp hunger flooded her stare.
“Yes.” She kissed me fiercely, leaning into me with the full weight of her body. My heart rammed into my chest, but I slipped my hands around her waist. Gripping her tight, I fought back the groan threatening to escape my throat.
Ozias coughed and averted his gaze while simultaneously nudging my side. “We’re approaching the procession.”
Reluctantly, I broke away from Leena and stared at the castle gate before us. A winding trail of patient locals zigzagged through the boisterous crowd. At the very end stood Queen Elianna, Princess Jayla, and her betrothed. The princess and her pair bond sat in regal high-back thrones dotted with emeralds. Their pleasant smiles were genuine, and as each local stopped to pay their blessing, the queen-to-be took their hands in hers and offered words we couldn’t possibly hear, but were somehow still obviously full of warmth and gratitude. With a calm, reassuring smile, Queen Elianna stood by her daughter’s side. She nodded at each guest, but allowed Jayla to handle the greetings.
“That line is massive,” Calem said with a whistle.
“Indeed.” Kost’s eyes flitted across the crowd. “We should wait until the end. For now, it’s best we simply blend in.”
Leena couldn’t hide her excitement and immediately dragged me toward one of the many tables laden with food and drink. We followed her lead, securing candied apples and spiced ales before moving toward one of the stages full of dancers. Time slipped by quickly as I watched her simplybe. We hadn’t really celebrated anything. Not our declaration asanam-cara. Not our ascension to king and queen in the eyes of the gods. Nothing. So to see her grin so broadly, to dance and move among the crowd without a care in the world… I wanted to give her everything. I wanted to see her free to smile like this, dance like this, laugh like this. Her happiness was infectious. The locals were drawn to her, and they all moved and celebrated together.
Standing on the fringe of it all with Kost, Ozias, and Calem, I was content to simply take in the sight of her. Not to mention, it was necessary to keep my presence quiet. It’d been ages since I set foot in Rhyne, and while the general public likely didn’t recognize me, I’d caught a few lingering stares and furrowed brows. It was only a matter of time, though, before we approached Queen Elianna, and my return would no longer be a secret.
“Do you think it’s her Charmer’s lure?” Ozias asked, pulling me from my thoughts. His gaze was locked on Leena as more and more people gathered around her to join in her impromptu dance.
I lifted a shoulder. “Maybe.”
“I’ll admit to feeling compelled to join her myself.” Kost folded his arms across his chest. “Of course, I would never, so it must be her lure.”
Calem snorted. “Lighten up, Kost. You might find a little dancing could lift your spirits.”
