Page 117 of Tailwind

My jaw flexed. I refused to ask.

Theo’s gaze made the hair on the back of my neck stand on end. With his arm still around me I worried he was able to tell. I could feel the smugness radiating off him.

‘Just tell me—’

‘Seven.’

‘Seven?’ A few people turned to us in surprise. ‘Are you kidding me, Vaspre? I am at least a nine, minimum. My legs and tits are a seven by themselves, even without my face, ass and everything else!’

I swatted at him with the back of my hand. I wasn’t trying to hurt him, but the harmless way it bounced off his firm chest wasn’t satisfying at all. So I elbowed him in the ribs and shoved his arm away in an attempt to keep him humble.

‘Try not to get so excited, Paldon.’ He leaned on the railing again. ‘It’s me they’ll be talking about and chasing down to put in all the Volitant and gossip outlets. You’ll be there too and reap the rewards.’

‘Yeah, I know that.’ I hated to admit it, but it’s why I’d come to him for help in the first place. ‘But is lurking in the dark really the way to get attention?’

He tilted his head, gesturing to the crowd below. A few other guests were looking up at us, then leaning into each other to talk.

‘Trust me yet?’ Theo murmured into my ear, copying them. ‘They talk about me. So, now they’ll talk about you too.’

I rolled my eyes. I’d got the clothes. I’d done my good deeds. Now I needed to act like the lifestyle of a Volitant rider suited me. Easy. I could get drunk and act like a narcissist anytime.

‘Lena?’

Even with the loud music, the delighted voice managed to reach me. Colly appeared, scooping me into a bear hug. My face was assaulted by a copious amount of fabric. As he pulled away and held me by the shoulders, beaming down at me, I could see why.

Colly was wearing a matching powder-blue shirt and trousers combo. The shirt had layers of ruffles on the chest and the trousers were horrifically flared.

‘Colly!’ I yelled back to him over the music. I poked at his shirt. ‘Nice of you to wear your grandpa’s suit, I’m sure he’s very proud.’

He laughed like it was the funniest thing he’d ever heard. I smiled too. Not because of the joke, though it was funny, but because I’d become unreasonably attached to the kid during our time racing together.

‘What are you doing here?’ I was on my tiptoes trying to talk to him.

‘We’ll be flying out from here to the Sky Pillar next week! I came early with Quinn. He promised to take me on my first night out!’

Nursing a drink, away from the balcony edge, was Quinn. He was dressed in a navy blue waistcoat so dark that I could only see its true colour when the strobe lights flickered his way. His white shirt was only a shade lighter than his pale skin, but it fitted together well.

His eyes creased as he waved hello and joined us. A single lock of his red hair fell across his forehead. It didn’t have the same effect as when Theo’s curls did the same, but I’d yet to meet anyone else whose hair seemed like a paid actor.

If I was going to put the effort in to get laid soon, I wanted to find someone so hot it made me angry. Someone attractive enough that it would make even Theo insecure.

I opened my arms and gave Quinn a hug. Having him and Colly there was helpful – a solid distraction until I found someone to end the night with.

A drink appeared in front of me, Theo attached. The tendons in his wrist were taut as he handed the glass over.

‘Thanks,’ I said. Too quiet to hear, but he winked at me all the same. I took a swig, recognizing the sweet tang followed by the burn. ‘Oh, Spieners!’

I raised my glass. It was time to set the mood correctly.

‘Okay guys, gather around.’ I cleared my throat and strained to be heard over the noise of the club. ‘To Colly’s first time getting absolutely demolished. To my yet-to-be-confirmed, but inevitable, return to Volitant. To Quinn getting drunk enough to say more than three words at a time and …’ I looked right at Theo. ‘To the loss of Theo’s beautiful long hair. May it fly in the Winds with the dragons.’

The four of us clinked our glasses together and tossed back the contents. My eyes lingered, watching Theo’s throat bob as he downed his drink. When he was finished he returned my gaze, wiping a thumb over his lips for non-existent droplets.

I was there for the good press, but I had a second goal for the evening: get laid by anyone other than Theo Vaspre.

‘All right,’ Theo said, tugging me closer so I could hear. We were on our third trip to the bar and Theo’s tab was taking it like a champ. ‘Take a look at the guy in the far corner, the one with the toupee.’

I whipped my head around, craning to see. Theo’s hand came up to my chin right away, steering me back. His thumb and finger tipped my face upwards before letting go. The ghost of the touch lingered on my skin. I rubbed at the phantom feeling.