Chapter 21 #4
I blushed and shook my head.
Eldwulf glanced behind me. “You’re sure you’re just friends with Vander?”
“Yes, why?”
“I don’t know if he thinks that. He doesn’t look very happy right now.”
“He doesn’t look happy a lot of the time,” I said with a giggle. “Very serious, that one.” I sort of hoped he was upset I was dancing with someone else. He could have asked me. I peeked at him and our eyes met for a moment. His mouth tightened, but he turned back to Scout on the stool next to him.
“How do you know him? There’s rumors Vander is an assassin, and you all came in as a group. Everyone knows you don’t talk about it, but most of us know assassins when we see them, and the serpent dagger was kind of a tip-off. Viper?”
I stopped and pulled back. I wasn’t supposed to talk about being an assassin to anyone, no matter how charming and handsome they were. “How about another drink, Eldwulf? Shot of whisky?”
He chuckled and gestured toward the bar. I wiggled in at the open spot at the end, and Eldwulf ordered four shots of whisky. “Two for me, two for you.”
I was already feeling the Dragon’s Breath, but smiled as the barkeep set the shots in front of us.
I grimaced at the taste as I downed them both.
He laughed and took them without making a face.
He must do this more often than me. It wasn’t but a minute or so later that my head was swimming, and my legs felt like pudding, but I was on top of the world.
I had to remember there could be magic in these drinks to enhance them.
One moment we were chatting at the bar, and the next I was spinning around the dance floor again.
Eldwulf was funny, witty, and liked to talk close to my ear and keep his hands on my hips.
I couldn’t help but wish it was Vander’s hands on my body, but I avoided looking at him even as I felt his eyes on me again.
I could sense him, and how on edge he was.
My body was heavy and light at once. I leaned my head on Eldwulf’s shoulder and wrapped my arms around his neck. “You’re fun,” I said.
“We could have more fun at my house. I have a natural hot spring that runs through the back property. We could take a dip under the moonlight.”
I blinked a few times. That would be impossible at home, and it intrigued me. “I don’t have anything to wear for that.”
He smiled. “You can wear whatever you want. Clothes... no clothes.”
I might be getting myself into more trouble than I bargained for if I did that. I only wanted to go if Vander did. “I probably can’t. It’s up to Vander.”
“Why?”
I pressed my lips together. I glanced up at him, hoping I hadn’t said too much. The swirling white mist moved among the purple lights above us in fascinating ways.
“Ah, I think I understand,” he said with a charming smile. “It’s all making sense now. You should tell Vander you want to come to my house. He knows where I live and can get you in the morning.”
“I don’t know. I came to dance and have a couple drinks.
I think I want another.” I turned and stumbled over his foot.
I squealed, saw the floor coming fast, but was caught around the middle before I hit the ground.
I felt Vander like a cool night wind, sending a chill down my spine. I knew his touch and his presence well.
Vander pulled me up and held my waist. “I’ll take her from here.”
I lifted my chin and smiled at him. Damn it, he was so sexy. It was criminal to look that good and tease me, only to keep me at a distance. He wouldn’t even dance with me in front of anyone, but he would sleep next to me.
Eldwulf glanced between us but didn’t step away.
Vander deadpanned and sharpened his tone ever so slightly. “Have a good night, Eldwulf.”
His throat bobbed, and he stepped back with a dip of his chin. “You as well, Vander.”
“Bye, maybe I’ll see you again soon.” I waved at him, and Vander pushed my hand down.
“You’re not jealous, are you?” I asked with a giggle and then pressed my lips together. Why did I say that? I had to get a handle on myself.
He narrowed his eyes and slid his palm up my arm until he gripped mine, then with the other he placed my hand on his shoulder. “Clearly you need someone to teach you to dance. You’re stumbling all over the place and stepping on toes.”
“And who better than my illustrious trainer?”
“Indeed.”
“Although I think I’ll attribute the stumbling to alcohol.”
“I’ve no doubt about that.” He stepped right and I mirrored him. “Dancing is not much different than sparring. It’s all about footwork and feeling the music. Just follow my lead.”
I was used to doing that, so I let myself stop thinking and just moved with him.
His hand warmed my lower back just above my ass.
He tugged me a little closer until my chest brushed against his.
The corset pushed my breasts enough to show cleavage, and I caught him glance down.
My breath stilted at the intimacy of this.
His touch firm but gentle. The melodic music and swirling mist mixed with the low lighting.
It surprised me that he would dance so close with other assassins watching.
“Is there something bothering you tonight?” I wondered aloud.
His eyes snapped to mine. “Why do you ask?”
“I’ve been around you long enough to tell. Is it your Aunt Murial’s prophecy about me? The birds and paths...”
His jaw muscles flickered. “It’s been on my mind.”
“What did she see about me and you?” I swallowed, suddenly nervous. “She said she knew I would be important to you long before we ever met.”
He pulled his gaze, and by the tightening of his lips, I knew he didn’t want to tell me... which made me all the more curious. She said she didn’t know I’d be his apprentice, so what did she see? Was it metaphorical like mine?
The silence lasted too long, and the drinks and twirling made my head spin. I laid my cheek against his chest and inhaled. He smelled good. “Who taught you to dance?” I asked.
“Apart from Nighthaven Academy, I had tutors for everything. My childhood was filled with lessons, not play. Manners were extremely important to my father. As well as charming people at court, how to dress, how to eat, how to dance, how to play a musical instrument—or three. Philosophy and more.”
“You sound like you didn’t enjoy it.”
“I appreciate it now, even if I didn’t at the time.”
I licked my lips and glanced up at him. “When you say charming people, what does that mean?”
He half smiled. “Let’s just say I can be very good at pretending to enjoy company I don’t like, making people laugh, persuading them to do what I want, and of course captivating women.”
I arched a brow. “Captivating, huh?”
“It’s not that difficult most of the time.
” His grip tightened ever so slightly on my back.
He captivated me long ago. “But I’m not that man anymore.
I don’t like being around people I have to pretend with.
My aunt wants me to go to Midsummer, but I hate how fake everyone is at court.
It’s all about impressing others and bragging.
Most of the people, and the trivial things they care about, are insufferable, especially after you’ve seen what we have outside the wall. ”
“I hope you’re comfortable with me.”
“I don’t know if I ever felt more at ease with anyone else in my life.”
I wasn’t sure how to respond to that, but my heart started to beat erratically. “We can go if you’d like,” I said softly. “I’m pretty sure you only came here because I wanted to. I’ve had enough fun. I’m actually dizzy.”
He stopped despite others dancing around us. “Was it the Dragon’s Breath or the shots of whisky?” he teased, and we moved toward the exit.
We passed by Falcon and Scout. They both lifted their glasses to me with little smirks. “Too much to drink, eh?” Scout razzed.
I stuck out my tongue, and he chuckled. I turned to Vander. “Both, I think.”
With Vander’s arm around the back of my waist, we stepped out into the cold night.
I hadn’t even realized it was dark already.
My skin prickled as my old fear of the dark trickled in.
I’d gotten used to the safety of the city wall, but my instincts were still there.
If we were outside the wall, I’d certainly be vampire food with the way the stars were spinning.
I was in no condition to fight any monsters.
Note to self, don’t drink the Dragon’s Breath or whisky at Enchanted Elixir.
Stormbreaker neighed as we approached the post he and Lady Sora were tied to.
I tugged out of Vander’s grasp and reached for my horse. I lifted my foot to get it in the stirrup, and it kept moving away like it was playing a game with me.
“You can’t even get your foot in the stirrup?” Vander smiled despite sounding bothered. “How many shots did Eldwulf buy you?”
“I could, if it would stop moving. And just two whisky shots.”
“It’s not moving. I bet he ordered the enchanted whisky.”
He sighed, took my hand, and led me to his black horse. “Get on Lady Sora with me. I’m afraid you’ll fall off if you ride by yourself.”
“I certainly wouldn’t. I’m an excellent rider.”
He took hold of my hips and lifted me onto her back with ease.
“Woah, muscles.”
He chuckled, and a moment later he settled in behind me and caged me in his arms to take up Lady Sora’s reins.
He leaned over and took Stormbreaker’s reins and tied them to the saddle horn.
The horses’ hooves clopped loudly on the quiet street.
The busyness from earlier had faded. It was cold enough everyone was probably inside.
Well, I liked this, and I wouldn’t complain about it as I leaned back against his firm chest.
“Next time we go out, maybe you should stay by me so you can avoid enchanted drinks.”
I scoffed. “How was I supposed to know it was enchanted? And you’re the one who told me to go dance.”
“With your friends. Eldwulf isn’t your friend.” He sounded annoyed.
“He’s nice. He invited me to his house to swim in the hot spring. I was going to ask if you wanted to go too, before you cut in to dance.”
His chuckle vibrated my back, and he wrapped one arm around my waist. “He’s not nice, he’s a serial womanizer, and I very much doubt he would have liked me to tag along.”
“So, you wouldn’t let me go with him? You could take me back in—”
“No.”
I couldn’t stop my smile. “What if I want to go with him and swim? He said clothes were optional. I’ve never swum naked with a man before.”
Vander tensed, and I swore I felt jealousy seep into me. “The only man you’re going home with is me.” This man. So protective, almost possessive, and yet he would do nothing but tease.
I could tease too. “Well, I suppose you’ll just have to take me for a nude midnight swim sometime.”
“Mmm, tempting. I like this little game we’re playing lately.”
Smiling, I pressed my lips together. His grip on my waist tightened, and he breathed heavier. A thick ache flooded me. Just like the day he sewed my hand, and I sensed his hunger and desire for me. The air shifted around us. I leaned back into him and closed my eyes, reveling in his closeness.
His lips brushed my ear. “But you don’t know what you’re asking for with me.”
“Then tell me.” What was it he was hiding?
“One day I will.”
I didn’t know what he meant by that, but I knew he wouldn’t elaborate. He had his secrets, and I had mine...