Chapter 50 #3
The corner of his mouth twitched. “You don't enjoy my company anyway.”
“No one does.”
We fell silent for a long moment, watching as the musicians struck up a lively tune. Dancers whirled across the floor.
“Eidra...” he began. When I looked over, he didn't meet my gaze. His throat bobbed. “I'm sorry about earlier. I shouldn't have said those things.”
I stared at him.
The Dark Prince... apologizing? He looked as though he'd just swallowed something rotten.
I turned my attention back to the dancers. “It was the truth, was it not?”
“Yes.” His voice was quiet. “But the manner in which I revealed it... was ignoble.”
I snorted. “Since when do you care about being ignoble? You've never shown me anything but disdain.”
He said nothing.
“We are enemies,” I continued. “We may align for this one purpose—to break this bond—but otherwise we stand on opposite sides of a very clear line. Don’t delude yourself into thinking you can sway my loyalties with a conveniently placed truth.
When this is over, you intend to destroy Elantis, and I will stand against you every step of the way.
I will meet you strike for strike if I have to. ”
He turned his glowing gaze to me, an unfathomable expression on his striking features. “I would be surprised if you didn’t.”
The lanterns dimmed. Servants emerged from every corner, weaving gracefully through the crowd with silver trays balanced upon their palms. Crystal flutes, each filled with a delicately fizzing liquid in jewel-like shades of sapphire, rose, emerald, and gold, caught the lantern light as they passed.
“Aedric!”
Thalassis beckoned to us from a low couch piled high with embroidered cushions, one arm draped lazily along its back. A half-finished flute rested in his hand, his smile pleasantly unfocused and entirely unguarded. A tray crowded with untouched flutes sat on the table before him.
We crossed the room. Rìan lowered himself into the chaise opposite, but Thalassis patted the empty space beside him, and I settled onto the couch at his side.
He plucked up one of the glasses and held it out. “For you.”
I lifted a hand with an apologetic smile. “I'll pass.”
“Oh, come now, Elowen.” His grin widened. “The Ambrosia distilled in my Court has a well-earned reputation for awakening certain... appetites.”
“I don't doubt it, my Lord, but trust me when I say I have little need of such assistance.” I met Rìan's gaze and held it. “Aedric more than satisfies my needs.”
Across from me, his smirk remained firmly in place—only the flex of his jaw gave Rìan away. But Thalassis was too focused on me to notice.
He laughed, low and soft. “Even so,” he gave the flute a suggestive swirl, “my Ambrosia has been known to elevate even the finest experiences.”
Again, I shook my head. “I thank you, but I must insist. If its effects are as potent as everyone claims, I'd be loath to lose control of my magic in your Court. I'd never forgive myself if the consequences proved... unfortunate.”
He hummed thoughtfully, though the spark of curiosity in his eyes only deepened.
“A pity.” His smile spread like molasses, but he set the glass back on the table. “I confess the thought of seeing you lose control is a rather tempting one.”
I reached over and gave his knee a light, almost absentminded pat. Both his gaze and Rìan's dropped immediately to my hand.
“Trust me,” I said, trying for pleasant, “it could very well be the last thing you ever see.”
“Captivating woman,” Thalassis murmured, almost to himself, shaking his head slowly. “Simply captivating.”
His pupils had widened, leaving only narrow rings of brilliant blue around them.
He shifted closer, trapping my hand on his thigh.
“You know, Elowen… The rest of Elantis has always misunderstood Ambrosia.” A fuzzy smile touched his lips. “They think it a drink for the bedchamber.”
“Is it not?” I asked nervously.
His thumb brushed across the back of my hand.
“No, dearest Eidra. It opens the mind, flays the senses. It isn't a nectar to kindle desire—but rather a gateway to the soul.”
Rìan's attention remained fixed on Thalassis's hand resting over mine.
Thalassis gave a soft chuckle, withdrew his hand, and reached once more for a flute. He held it out to Rìan.
“Take the lead, Aedric. You'll enjoy this one.” He drew a long, unhurried breath, his eyes drifting shut as though luxuriating in the effects already unfurling through him. “Its subtleties. Its complexities. I daresay it's my finest vintage yet.”
“Thank you, Thalassis,” Rìan said pleasantly. “But no.”
Thalassis’s eyes flew open. The pleasant haze clouding his features lifted. His smile faded, confusion knitting his brow as he searched Rìan's face, as though he were waiting for the jest that surely had to follow.
“No?” he repeated at last.
“I'd prefer not to partake this evening.”
The confusion only deepened.
“You're... declining?”
“I'm afraid so. We're still weary from our travels and—”
“But you never decline.” Thalassis’s words were edged with sudden suspicion.
Rìan held his gaze for a long moment. Then the tension melted from his face, replaced by Aedric's easy, effortless smile.
“Well,” he said with a careless shrug, reaching for the waiting flute, “if you insist.”
Thalassis's face softened.
“That's more like it.” He wagged a finger at Rìan. “Your arm has never required much twisting where my Ambrosia is concerned.”
“Too true.”
Rìan tipped the flute back and emptied it in one long swallow before setting the empty glass on the table.
“Now you, Eidra.” Thalassis plucked another flute from the table, the violet liquid inside fizzing with delicate streams of bubbles as he extended it toward me. “Surely you won't let your mate drink alone?”
I opened my mouth to object, but Rìan clicked his tongue in gentle reproach. "Come now, Eidra," he drawled, every bit the charming, insufferable lord Aedric had always been. "Don't be a spoilsport."
This was the same male who'd called me a drunk. As a result, I hadn't touched alcohol since.
The infuriatingly smug expression Aedric always wore remained perfectly intact, but I'd travelled with Rìan long enough to recognize the male concealed beneath it.
Though the smile never faltered, a faint tautness had gathered around his eyes that hadn't been there a heartbeat before.
A warning—but also an apology. He didn't want me to drink any more than I wanted to, yet refusing now would only invite questions neither of us could afford to answer.
I skewered him with a look before turning back to Thalassis and summoning my brightest smile. “Oh, very well.” I accepted the flute and knocked back its contents before I could allow myself a second thought.
It flooded my tongue with honey, citrus, and something I couldn’t put my finger on, a peppery flavor that shimmered just beyond recognition.
I straightened and handed my empty flute to Thalassis, who was already waiting with his hand outstretched. The bubbles still tingled pleasantly against my lips. I fixed him with an admonishing look.
“You will not hold me accountable for whatever happens as a result of this conspiracy. Two against one isn't fair.”
He waggled his eyebrows in delight, his gaze sliding suggestively to Rìan. “And what of two on top of one?”
“That’s enough, Thalassis.” Rìan's voice hardened with warning. “I don’t share my women.”
My pulse skipped at the possessiveness in his tone.
Thalassis only laughed and reached over to clap him heartily on the shoulder.
“Loosen up, will you? You're stiff as a board and twice as uptight.” The teasing smile faded, giving way to something gentler.
“I understand the shock of losing Solmire, but you're not here to mourn. I won't allow it. Understood?”
“Understood.”
“Good.” He turned back to me and offered his hand. “I do believe I was promised a dance?”
The question wasn't truly meant for me. He was asking Aedric’s permission.
Rìan eased back, hooking one arm over the back of the chaise. “Lady's choice, of course.”
Without another look in his direction, I slipped my hand into Thalassis's, and he pulled me effortlessly to my feet before sweeping me onto the dance floor.