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“Apparently that didn’t convince anyone,” Raenisa grumbled.
“Only the people who don’t know you.” She grinned and Raenisa blushed, biting her lower lip. “Come on.”
Caelia led us to a table off to the side near where the food was laid. I glanced around, looking for Theron before realizing what I was doing. It didn’t matter where he was. The longer he was away, the better for my stupid piercing.
We sat at the empty table, and I toyed with the white linens. A servant came, bringing three glasses and a jug of iced water with him. My mouth dried as I saw the moisture beading on the sides.
“May I serve you, my lady?” He asked Caelia, who waved him on.
“Don’t stand on formality because of me. I’m starving.”
“Of course.” He nodded, filling up each of our goblets. “Would you like any wine or ale?”
I tuned them out as a strange awareness came over me. It was almost as if something was tickling at the edge of my senses. I turned to find a man I didn’t recognize staring at me as he sauntered over to our table, the eerie feeling intensifying.
“Xadrian.” Caelia grinned at him. “Perfect timing. We’re about to have our first course.”
This must be the wildcard Theron had discussed. The Darkstar. He had olive skin like a Sirin Remnant, not the same pale complexion as most Elves. His hair waved to his shoulders and was black except for a streak of white in the front. His eyes were the deepest earthy brown, and he had a beauty mark on his cheek, somehow pulling all my attention to him. He moved gracefully as if he was a panther stalking its prey.
He said nothing, but I felt a strange awareness as he slipped into the chair beside me. The feeling intensified when Xadrian’s gaze met mine and our eyes locked together.
“Caelia, Raenisa. Care to introduce me to your enchanting friend?”
“That’s Theron’s concubine,” Raenisa said flippantly, and I glowered at her. I had a name. Not that she knew it, but still.
“Interesting.” He eyed me again, his gaze tracing my face as if trying to recognize me. I glanced away and tried to focus on my food. He continued to watch me intently as if he were attempting to decipher my every thought. He toyed with a silvery necklace at odds with the green and gold both he and his sister wore, and my eyes darted to it.
“And what’s your name?” He asked, leaning closer to me. “Unless you want me to refer to you as Theron’s concubine all night.”
“Lily.”
He smirked. “Nice to meet you.”
“Your pendant is beautiful,” I commented, struggling for something kind to say. It kept drawing my attention, flashing like a silver fish in a stream. “Where did you get it?”
He smiled, his full lips curving into a grin that sent a shiver down my spine. “It’s a family heirloom passed through the generations of the Heliot line.” His accent differed slightly from everyone else’s here. Interesting.
He seemed to watch my every move with a certain intensity that made me feel wary and flustered at the same time.
“What kind of metal is it? Silver?” I asked. He shook his head, and he reached up to tuck away a loose strand of hair behind my ear, his fingers brushing my cheek.
“No, it’s—“
“Lily, there you are.” Theron placed his hands on my bare shoulders, the rough texture of his palms rasping my skin and sending a shiver of arousal through me. “You and Raenisa disappeared.” He raised a brow at his second-in-command, who stifled a wince.
Caelia laughed. “You were right, Rae. He found us and in less than five minutes.”
Raenisa chuckled, glancing at him as if to see how angry he was about our disappearance. “Join us, Theron. We’re just settling in.”
“Your concubine is most entertaining.” Caelia praised as if complimenting his outfit. “You should have heard her tear into Tannethe.”
“Beautiful with a sharp tongue?” Xadrian pressed a hand over his heart. “I’m lost.”
I frowned at him as Theron’s hands spasmed on my shoulders, but his tone was still light. “We’re returning to our suite. I have an early morning. As do you, Rae.” He shot her a pointed look.
Xadrian shrugged and gave Theron a knowing smile before turning back to me. “We’ll have to continue this conversation some other time.”
I nodded, and the Marshal scowled.
