Chapter 32
HEMMING
T he moment Vesstan’s arm looped around the small of her back, the beast lunged forward. I bent forward and dug my fingers into my thighs, biting my lip until it bled to stifle the roar of challenge fighting to escape me. Shayfer’s hand landed gently on my shoulder, but I shook it off. The only being that could calm me now besides myself was Ariel.
After a few more breaths, Shayfer crouched down in front of me. “Do I need to get you out of here before something regrettable occurs?”
“I’m fine,” I ground out through gritted teeth.
“As you’ve promised before, and yet here you are, on the verge of tearing this grand party to shreds—which would be of no help to Ariel, in case that was not already clear.”
“I am aware?—”
“But is he ?” The way he accentuated that final word, I understood his implications.
“If he isn’t now, he will be shortly.”
“Good. Now, can I encourage you to stand before everyone within eyeshot takes notice of your bizarre behavior and Eldrien returns with the drinks?” He gracefully uncurled his body, and I exhaled hard before following his lead. “Better?”
“Better enough.”
No sooner had those words left my mouth than my eyes drifted to the balcony where Ariel stood, staring wide-eyed at Vesstan and the naked woman plastered against him. His hands roamed her body like it was his to do with as he pleased—like he owned it from head to toe—and as his hand dipped lower and lower, Ariel tracked it with a strange mix of horror and fascination in her stare.
Her lips parted slightly as Vesstan captured the fair-haired female’s breast, and all I could think about was making them part like that for me.
The petite woman walked forward and brushed Ariel's hair aside, then leaned in slowly to press her lips to Ariel’s. For a moment, I had no idea what Ariel would do. She’d gone so stiff the moment they touched, I feared she might do something rash. Instead, her fingers dug into the blonde’s hair and she kissed her back, which sent the beast inside me pacing with jealousy.
Apparently, it did Vesstan too.
I watched as he ripped the petite female away from his would-be prize and cast her aside, his predatory stare raking over Ariel. Her antics had played into the plan a little too well, and given the way he looked at her, he was ready to act on his desire right then and there, in front of hundreds of guests and the numerous guards lurking on the balcony of debauchery.
I started to walk toward the steps, but Shayfer caught my arm. “Trust her, Hemming. She is far more capable than you give her credit for.”
“I know exactly how capable she is,” I snapped back at him.
His sympathetic gaze only angered me more. “In these matters, I fear you do not.” He nodded toward the balcony, and I turned to see Ariel’s hands pressed to Vesstan’s chest as she leaned in close to say something I was desperate to overhear. I hated watching him touch her, knowing it would only get worse before the night was over. I hated that she had to compromise herself to save those she loved and those she felt responsible for. But more than anything, I hated that, when she looked at Vesstan with those bottomless green eyes, she made me believe that she would abandon us all to be with him.
Shayfer was right.
I had most certainly underestimated her skills.
As the truth that I might not know everything about her after our years apart settled upon my mind, she turned and walked away from Vesstan. Skirts secured in her hands so they wouldn’t fly about her, she rushed down the stairs and continued around the far perimeter of the room. I tracked her movements until she threw open one of the massive gilded doors, then disappeared into the hallway beyond.
I dared a glance at Vesstan, who leaned on the railing, staring at the door as it closed. He remained there for what seemed like an eternity, standing vigil for her return—at least until the fair-haired one reappeared. She hooked his chin with her finger and kissed him gently, apparently breaking the spell Ariel held over him. He took her invitation, disappearing deeper into the balcony and the depravity it held in its shadows.
And I took that opportunity to find Ariel.