Chapter 70
CHAPTER 70
Dayton
A trail of drool leaks from the woman’s mouth onto the floor. The others in this alcove aren’t faring much better. Ladies of the Below are sprawled out around me, snoring. I suppose they’re not used to our Summer wine.
My eyes keep drifting to the gauzy curtains where Rosie disappeared over an hour ago.
I know Rosie can take care of herself, and going over there might alert Kairyn to just how much I care about my partner, but it doesn’t make the waiting any easier. One hundred thousand denarii for the company of a siren. Just who is behind that curtain?
I grab another goblet off the table and down it. An array of fruit, dates, and crusty bread with oil for dipping is laid before me. I already stuffed myself as soon as my companions passed out. It’s much better than the food in the barracks. I even wrapped some extra in cloth, hoping to bring it for Rosie and Tilla later, but I’m not sure how I’ll smuggle it out.
Not like they gave me pockets in this ridiculous get-up.
It didn’t look ridiculous on Rosie, though. She was like a golden goddess. When I think of the curves of her body, her gold-dusted lips, it’s no wonder some minion paid one hundred thousand denarii just to bask in her presence.
Fuck, I’d give every star in the sky.
I adjust my position and try to shift my thoughts away from Rosalina. This outfit does little to hide my growing desire.
“Fancy a drink?” A servant comes around with a tray of wine goblets.
“No, thank you,” I say.
“Dayton.” The voice lowers. “It’s me. ”
Wrenley stands above me, holding tight to the tray. “Come on, follow me. I don’t think your buyers will notice your absence for a long while.”
She weaves through the crowd, white robes trailing on the marble flooring, and takes me to a secluded cubiculum covered by a white curtain. Inside, there is only a chaise, a low table, and a platter of olives.
Wrenley sits down and pats the seat beside her. “I noticed this one wasn’t being used. It’s been so hard to sneak away and see you.”
Guilt tightens in my gut as I look down at my mate. Sure, nothing really happened with Rosalina the other night. But I’d held her in my arms, touched her body, and stars know, if she had let me, I’d have done more.
Rosalina said she was taken over by her mating frenzy, but damn, there was a fire burning through me as well. One like I’ve never known. My cock was steel hard. Even after she fell asleep, the instinct never left me. All I wanted to do was rouse her from her slumber and kiss her and claim her and empty my seed deep inside.
Why did I agree to do this mission with her? I’m not only in agony because of her beauty but because of who Rosalina is. In the arena, she’s fierce and valiant.
I would never have won the fight against Damocles or Decimus without her.
My brave, kind, beautiful girl.
Who isn’t mine at all.
“Dayton?” Wrenley says. In the dim candlelight, with the way her curls fall across her brow and the furrow of her nose, she looks a little like Rosie. A lot like Rosie, actually. “Is everything all right?”
“Yes, I’m listening.” I sit down next to her. “I’m sorry I’ve been distant lately. I’m going to try to do better by you, Wren.”
Because to break my curse, I don’t just have to find my mate. She has to love me. Could Wrenley do that?
“Do you really think we can make this work?” I say softly to her.
“I do.” She reaches out to grab my hand. “The stars would not have aligned our fates, if not.”
“I guess you’re right,” I say and then add, “How are you doing?”
“I’m all right. Kairyn is furious at you for your remarks this evening. Why do you chide him with such untruths?”
“Untruths.” I smirk. “I meant what I said. I’d face him if he showed up on the sands of the arena, dressed in nothing but gladiator gear! I’d like to see that, wouldn’t you?”
Wrenley looks me up and down, then her face turns entirely red. “Why would I—”
“I’m just teasing you,” I say, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “It’s what I do when I’m nervous or scared or just feel like being a shit. Which is a lot of the time.”
“I’ve noticed.”
Her face shines in the dim blue light. A small will-o’-wisp bounces into our alcove. All night I’ve watched drunk partygoers try to catch them and place them on their chests to see if any light bursts forth. So far, I’ve seen none.
“A will-o’-wisp.” Gently, I extend a palm to it.
Wrenley smacks my hand away, and the little creature flutters out of the alcove. “Are you crazy?” she snarls. “You can’t let that nasty little creature land on you. What if someone sees our mate bond? What do you think Kairyn would do to me?”
I give a long sigh. I’ve upset her. “Thought I would be romantic. I guess I wasn’t thinking.”
She shakes her head, tears brimming at the edges of her eyes. “I’m just worried about you. You have to face the Bronze Knight next.”
Her worries are justified. Rosalina told me that even Keldarion couldn’t defeat one of Kairyn’s knights when they wielded a divine weapon. “I’ve never lost in the Sun Colosseum.”
“You can’t afford to be so arrogant,” she says. “What will happen to the Blessing of Summer if you fail?”
“It will pass to Delphia,” I say slowly.
She shakes her head. “Such a burden to place on a child already laden with so much responsibility. You know the moment she inherits the Blessing, Kairyn will stop at nothing to imprison her.”
My heart thrums in my chest. Wrenley’s right. I’ve already inflicted such pain on Delphie. If I broke my curse, she wouldn’t have to be the steward anymore. She could just be a kid, like she deserves. “I want to do right by my family.”
Wrenley’s long lashes lower as she places a hand on my shoulder and guides my other hand to her waist. “I want to help you, Dayton.”
“Then cheer loudly.” I smile. But she’s drawing closer, and even though every instinct in me is screaming to push her away, I know I shouldn’t.
“That’s not what I mean.” Her chest presses against mine, and she threads a delicate hand through my hair.
“Do you really want this, Wrenley?”
“Yes,” she breathes. “Do you know how many times I’ve repeated that night on the ship in my mind? Your lips on mine.”
It takes me a moment to search my memory for it. I’d completely forgotten I’d kissed her on the ship right as Rosie walked into the room. Fuck it. Why does Rosie need to be in my head all the godsdamned time?
Tightening my grip on her waist, I pull the acolyte onto my lap and snatch her jaw. “Then let me give you another memory to think of while you spend long days looking into that ugly black void.”
I kiss her. I can tell she’s surprised because her mouth is open, and she makes a small gasp. But then she’s kissing me back, hands gliding over my ears, down my neck. How many seconds is good for a kiss? I force myself to stay another two, but she’s the one who breaks away first.
Her face is flushed, brow furrowed—
“Oh shit,” I sigh, looking at the gold paint now covering her white robes.
“I should change before Kairyn sees and you should get back before one of your patrons wakes up.”
“You’re right.”
I stand, towering over her. Before I leave, she touches my arm. “Tomorrow, I’ll come to your room. I want to help you, Dayton. I want to be your mate.”
Something like a knife twists in my chest. “Okay.”
“See you then.”
Wrenley scuttles off into the crowd, and I make my way back to my lovely ladies. But I can’t help but take the long route past Rosie’s cubiculum, just to eavesdrop a little.
But I don’t hear voices.
I hear the sweetest, most perfect, moan.
Fire bursts through me, red blinding my vision, and before I can stop myself, I throw back the curtain.