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Oliver leans over the table. “Come, even for an hour.”
I look around the table at everyone waiting to hear my answer. My dark mood makes me hesitate, though something tells me that refusing isn’t any more of an option than this meal.
Still, there are more reasons to go than not.
“I would love to,” I say.
For the remainder of the meal, they all take turns regaling me with stories from years past.
***
From what I can tell, the entire pack is crammed into the clearing. Bodies crowd the outer edge, a mix of wolf and human forms. Inside the ring of spectators, they dance. Some in pairs, and others are alone, jumping in and out of the circle, clapping and singing, while others shift to howl at the dark sky.
The night air is fragrant with the scents of burned sugar and honeyed wine. Lanterns hang from twine strung through tree branches, crisscrossing over the clearing. It’s livelier than any party or celebration I’ve ever been to, and I find it almost overwhelming.
I weave in and out of the throng in search of Oliver. My goal is for him to see that I came. Then, the first chance I get, I will sneak away to the quiet of my room. I spot him engrossed in conversation with a small group. When I catch his eye, I smile and wave.
There.Mission accomplished.
Now to find my way out of this labyrinth of bodies.
It takes a lot of dodging and side stepping to inch toward the edge of the crowd. I am nearly out when a movement off to the side catches my attention. I scramble to get out of the way and accidentally bump into someone.
Before I can apologize, a ruddy blur plows into me, knocking me on my ass. The beast lands on top of me, sending me sprawling onto the grass.
Two large amber eyes blink down at me from the ruddy wolf pinning me. A large pink tongue lolls out of the beast’s maw as it makes a sound that is a mix between panting and…laughter?
The wolf changes into a man. Oliver props his chin on a hand, and plays with my hair with the other, twirling a strand around a finger. “You weren’t thinking of leaving already, were you? The night has just begun.” His breath smells of sweet wine.
“Oliver,” I say slowly. He hums, grinning wider. “Get off of me.”
At that, he pouts. Just when I think I will have to forcibly remove him, he leaps to his feet, pulling me with him. I’ve barely caught my balance before he’s dragging me to a table. Oliver shoves a glass with sparkling golden liquid in my hand.
I start to protest but he pops a slice of caramelized peach into my mouth as I inhale. Thoroughly unprepared, I end up half choking on the bite-sized piece of food and it takes the entire glass of mead to recover. He gets rid of the empty glass, and in the next moment he is leading me into the mass of dancing couples.
“Are you hoping I will send you into the Otherworld tonight?” I ask with false sweetness.
Oliver sighs wistfully, as if I hadn’t just threatened him. I wonder how much he has had to drink. I try to pull away, but he holds firm.
“I do not feel like dancing,” I grind out.
“This is a night for joy. For a few hours, set worry and sorrow to the side,” he says, then tips me back so far, the ends of my hair brush the ground. “I have a gift for you.”
We straighten, continuing to whirl to the music.
“I don’t want or need anything.” I stop fighting. It’s not doing any good, and Varin is no help.
Oliver smiles. “I promise you will want this one.”
I cannot tell if he is too drunk to hide how pleased he is with himself or if he’s teasing me. We stop at the crowd’s edge, out of the way. Oliver tilts his head to the side, gesturing, and I turn to look.
“He is free, at least for tonight,” he whispers in my ear as my gaze lands on Alaric.
My breath catches in my throat. Our eyes snag. Alaric glares, then quickly looks away.
“Of course, there are guards everywhere, should he try anything he ought not to….”
I move to go to him, but Oliver pulls me back. “Give him time to regain his bearings. He will find his way to you.” He lifts my chin with a knuckle. “In the meantime, why don’t you try to enjoy yourself?”
