Page 36 of Ballad of Sea and Sky

“No,” I protested, scowling at the second mate.

He laughed, spinning me around again and adding, “Sometimes a little jealousy helps move things along.”

“What are you—”

Caspian interrupted, appearing next to us as he practically threw the fae female at Astraios. “I’m cutting in.”

“Whatever you say, boss,” Astraios grinned, throwing me an irreverent wink as he took the fae female’s waist and spun her with a laugh.

Caspian took me by the waist, pulling me far closer than Astraios had held me.

I tried to protest, feeling irrationally irritated at this. “My lungs—”

“I’ll be gentle with you,” Caspian said firmly, his eyes boring into mine and brooking no protest as couples moved around us.

“You can dance with anyone,” I tried again, trying to squirm from his grasp.

Caspian held me firm, a smirk curving his lips. “I could,” he agreed. “But Iwantto dance with you, Marina. Please.”

It was the “please” that undid me.

“Fine,” I said, easing into him and trying to ignore the renewed pounding of my heart which had little to do with exertion. “But only because you asked nicely.”

“Ah, so shecanbe pleasant,“ Caspian chuckled, spinning me in time with the music. Something heated and feral flashed in his eyes as he spun me, and the reckless, daring part of me that responded to the sea told me to stop resisting. My stomach lurched as he held me tight, the bare skin of his chest practically brushing my breasts. “Did you enjoy your time alone?

“I did,” I said, breathless from both the dancing and the sudden realization that hit me in a bolt of horror—I wanted him too. Reallywanted.

I had never really craved a male. All of my flings had been more a pleasant distraction than anything serious, knowing my mating would be arranged.

Seas, I wasbetrothed. And my intended excited me about as much as wet sand. Not like Caspian—all gold muscle and white feathers and amber eyes. He was danger and intrigue and forbidden seduction, and Iwantedhim.

But I could never have him. He was the Siren King, the leader of my enemy, even if he did seem honest and genuine and a little dreamy. Flirting was safe enough, but this desire we so clearly shared could never go anywhere. I would be wise to shut it down as fast as I could.

“You alright, Urchin?” Caspian asked, his gaze intense as he spun us. “You seemed to have a great deal more to say to Astraios than you do to me.” He sounded almost hurt, before adding irreverently, “For a change.”

“I’m fine,” I said, trying to sound haughty and uncaring to cover the panic now mingling with the flood of desire coursing through me. “And thank you. I never get to explore alone, so I appreciate your trust.”

“Hmm,” Caspian mused, his eyes bright. “Trust had very little to do with it, Urchin.”

I coughed, feeling myself flush.

“I thought Astraios and Zephyr were together,” I said, trying to divert the conversation to a safer topic and nodding to where the second mate now danced with a new partner, also very pretty.

Caspian barked a laugh, spinning me around him once before replying. “Zephyr prefers female companionship,” he confided, his hand gripping my hip just a little tighter than he had before, “and is happily mated to a female back home.”

“Oh,” I said, blushing and coughing once more.

Caspian cut back in before I could say more, sounding like he too was trying to ignore whatever moment of desire had passed between us. “But I’m sure Astraios would gladly welcome you to his bed. He also prefers female companionship, as you can see.”

“Seas below,” I blurted out, suddenly embarrassed. Was he trying to bait me? He clearly wanted me, and now he was suggesting I bed another male. Was this a test? The thought irritated me, which was good. Irritation was safer than desire. “I’m betrothed!”

“So?” Caspian asked, spinning me as if this were nothing. “Is it a love match?”

“What?” I stammered. “No. I mean, what does it matter?”

Caspian shrugged, his eyes still too intense for his demeanor of nonchalance. “If it were a love match, there might be a problem,” he conceded, looking at me with raised brows. “But if it’s not…”

“You are one of the most insufferable males I have ever met,” I said with conviction, willing myself to believe it and to forget his soulful voice and golden eyes and warm hand on my hip. “And I’ve met alotof insufferable males.”