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‘Why else do you constantly seek us out?’ Thea mused, eyeing Kipp as he peeled off his gloves and tucked them carefully in the outer pocket of his dark tunic, a fleck of violet shining there.
‘Because you’re a fucking insult to the institute of Thezmarr,’ Seb hissed. ‘You’re fooling yourself if you think you’lleverhear the call of the Great Rite. A woman? Please. You don’t have what it takes. You’ve only got to where you are by flashing your tits and sucking cock —’
Icy anger flooded Thea, and she allowed herself a step forward. ‘I have saved your life several times now, Barlowe, and your gratitude has been less than underwhelming. So, I’ll remind you of a little vow I made to you once… When we faceeach other again, I’ll have you on the ground. And unlike me, you won’t get back up.’
‘The watery promise of a woman.’ Seb snorted. ‘I’m still standing,stray.’
‘Because I allowed it,’ Thea said darkly. ‘Walk away, Seb, before I rob you of your ability to do so.’
Seb opened his mouth to respond, but quiet fell across the ballroom, the shift in the atmosphere of the room halting him. The orchestra was taking their seats on the stage, readying to perform. With a glare, Seb backed away, returning to Vernich Warner’s side at the opposite end of the ballroom. There, the Bloodletter didn’t acknowledge his apprentice, but simply watched the festivities with his usual scowl.
Thea’s shoulders sagged.
‘Definitely should have let me shoot him,’ Cal griped, staring after Seb. ‘The things I’d do to see that prick in a world of pain…’
‘Well, you might not be there to see it, but I assure you, he’ll be in a world of pain,’ Kipp said, looking mighty pleased with himself.
Brows raised and suspicion prickling, Thea said, ‘What are you talking about?’
Kipp was openly beaming now. ‘Before we left Notos, the beautiful Wren supplied me with anintriguingsubstance… Widow’s Ash – I believe you know of it?’
Thea gaped at her friend. ‘You didn’t…’
‘Oh, I absolutely did.’
‘Did what?’ Cal demanded.
A hoarse laugh broke from Thea’s lips, and she shook her head in disbelief. ‘Let’s just say that poor Seb is in for a rough anditchynight.’
Cal grinned. ‘I like the sound of that.’
But Thea’s attention had moved to the orchestra. Now settled, the musicians placed bows to violins, fingers to harpsand lips to flutes. ‘Where are the rulers?’ she whispered. ‘Surely they’re to be announced before —’
There was an intake of breath as the musicians burst into their first performance of the evening. Suddenly, the ballroom came alive with laughter and melody, couples taking to the grand floor, twirling gracefully, layers of tulle and silk sweeping across the shining surface. Moonlight spilt through the vast windows, casting an ethereal glow upon the nobles.
Thea squinted across the room to the grand entrance, where the guards and heralds all stood to attention, with no sign of the kings and queen of the midrealms. She needed the royals in the midst of the action before they could implement the first stage of their rescue mission.
Poised to throw herself into action, Thea took a step forward as the delicate notes of the orchestra echoed through the chamber, the lavish gowns and regal attire creating a kaleidoscope of sheer opulence. ‘Any minute now…’
‘Not yet!’ Kipp tried to grab her arm.
But she twisted out of his reach, starting towards the exit. She would not leave Wilder to freeze in that cell a moment longer. She would take her chances, she would —
A large hand, covered in grazes, enveloped hers. Another closed around her waist, sweeping her onto the dance floor effortlessly, wrapping her in the scent of leather and rosewood.
With a stifled cry, she looked up.
Behind an intricate mask of black-and-red embellishments, a pair of silver eyes met hers.
‘Heard you were looking for me, Princess.’
CHAPTER TWENTY
WILDER
Wilder met Thea’s gaze and the atmosphere crackled around them as he took her in his arms, guiding them across the ballroom in one fluid motion. He forgot the pain as he felt her chest hitch against his before she melted beneath his touch. He breathed her in, savouring the glancing contact of her skin against his and tracing the exposed elegant curve of her neck with his gaze.
Seemingly pliant with shock, Thea allowed him to take the lead, allowed him to pull her closer, locking them together as the melody took hold. Wilder couldn’t tear his eyes away from hers, their bodies moving in perfect sync, as they always had. For a moment, the world around them faded into a distant blur. Every twist and turn, every brush of their legs together whispered of that bond between them. Wilder’s steps were measured, but beneath that control, fire simmered, threatening to consume them both.
