AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"Come," Conall said, pulling away too suddenly, leaving me stumbling along at his side as we climbed the stairs. "We have a ball to attend."
* * *
Conall ledme into the great hall of the castle, my steps slowing in wonder as music bounced and curled around every pillar and rafter, echoing against stone and glittering mirrors. Shadow figures spun and parted, stepped in unison, circled and bowed. I shrank back, the force of muddled voices loud and shocking after so many months of hiding away, only coming out in London in late hours, on dark streets.
"We were overdue a festivity."
I twisted and found Laszlo on my right, his eyes skimming over the imaginary crowd, hands tucked behind his back under the curtain of his wings. His gaze flicked to mine, bright yellow and sharp.
"Hywel held them off, gave you time to adjust."
There was no reason for my face to go hot at the mention of the dragon, and I tucked my left cheek against my shoulder, watching the dancers.
"Dance with me, Evie," Conall said, bumping his hip to mine.
"I'm not dressed for a ball," I said, lifting my limp, utilitarian skirt up and letting it drop down. Dust from Hywel's cavern billowed off the fabric.
Conall laughed. "They don't care. I certainly don't. Don't let Laszlo's life as a monk infect you. Come and enjoy yourself."
Laszlo's feathers barely ruffled at the jab, his chin lifting, and Conall didn't wait for me to agree, just swept me up in his arms and spun me out to the dance floor. I was clumsy at first, my steps wooden. I'd forgotten how to be a dance partner, how to settle in someone's arms and let them lead me. Even my sex with Conall was often wrestling for control, battling for pleasure.
We cut through clouds of shadow, the dreaming figures taking no notice of us as we made a messy path through their crowd. The music twisted and reshaped itself, violins crying and sawing through new melodies, moving away from a ballroom and into the rowdy drum and skip of a village square. I laughed as Conall dragged me into a leaping, jigging nonsense of movement, and his answering grin was as bright as sunlight. Candles spun around my head, and I curved into his grasp.
"We'll work up our appetites,mo chroí," Conall gasped out. I didn't know if he meant food or fucking, and I didn't care.
Conall's wildness reminded me of who I was before Birsha caught me in the brothel, laid a baited web and snared me for centuries. It wasn't possible to let go of those painful years, but his joyous revelry dragged me through them, back tolifeand joy. Not careless pleasure butdetermineddelight.
"You and I would've gotten into a great deal of trouble when I was younger," I mused, breathless. The music was settling, and Conall was grasping me tightly as he had down in Hywel's hoard.
"Wewillget into trouble, Evie," Conall said, spinning me slowly, rocking our hips to music, coaching my fumbling feet to follow his.
"And…and if I don't want trouble?" I asked, chest heaving. My gaze fixed over his shoulder as we turned, dizzy from the floating shadows that passed us, searching around the edge of the room.
Conall didn't hesitate. "Wickedness, then. Pleasure." His hand around my waist tightened. "Together, with others. You can have everything you want, feasting and lusting and celebration."
I found Laszlo in the archway of the corridor that would lead to his little sanctuary of a room, away from the revelry. But he was watching me and Conall, and for the first time, I read his expression clearly. The crease between his brows, the crooked purse of his lips, the craving and sorrow in his gaze.
"We'll keep you safe,mo chroí."
The music was catching its breath, and Laszlo's wings were hunching closer, his chest just starting to turn away.
"Wait!" I called.
Conall stepped back and Laszlo's gaze struck mine. I glanced at the werewolf, but his smile was mellow, knowing, and I returned my focus to Laszlo quickly.
I'd been seductive once, alluring. I could've tipped my head at the correct degree, slanted my gaze, and a man across the room would've crawled to me on his knees. But that woman had been crushed, crumbled down to dust, and I didn't know if I could have her back, if she could be rebuilt. If she was even who I wanted to be now.
"You have to dance with me too," I said, the words only just audible under the din of the dreamers.
Conall opened our stance, facing Laszlo too, as the gryphon glanced between us. He opened his mouth and I knew at once, my shoulders drooping, that he would refuse.
"Be a gentleman, Laz," Conall goaded. He lifted my hand and extended it toward the watching gryphon.
Laszlo's eyes rolled and I flashed a quick, grateful smile at Conall, who turned on his heel and bent to kiss the back of my hand, as elegant as a courtier. Laszlo joined us, and he didn't storm through the shadows as Conall had, but politely waited for them to pass, even dipping his head once in acknowledgement of a greeting.
"Thank you," I said as Conall passed Laszlo my hand.
Laszlo's grip was as firm and tender as it had been when he'd stroked the tension and tremors out of me.
