Chapter 39 #2
An enchanting melody interrupted our wholesome moment, and we all turned toward the beautiful music.
A quartet was set up in the middle of a clearing and all the carts were now pushed back to line the perimeter of the jungle’s edge.
The configuration created a makeshift dance floor around the band, prompting couples to start swaying around the quartet to the gentle strings of the violins.
“Reena, would you mind if I whisk away your queen for a dance?” Alaric warmly smiled at her.
“Not at all, whisk away!” She shoved me into the king’s arms, and I tossed a glare over my shoulder at my beaming lady-in-waiting.
Alaric’s strong arms wrapped around me surprisingly gracefully, so as not to crush my snakes, but still with enough strength to catch me from smacking into his chest.
Slowly, I raised my eyes to his, catching a wicked gleam shining in them.
“Dance with me, my Queen?” He tucked a loose piece of hair behind my ear, making the paper umbrella he gifted me earlier rustle. His touch was so tender that goosebumps prickled along my skin.
Alaric’s eyes dipped to my lips, watching the way I sucked my lip between my teeth. Something flashed in his eyes, but it dissipated too swiftly for me to sniff the air and detect.
“I—I’ve never danced before,” I whispered.
“What?” He scoffed, looking at me incredulously.
“I’ve never really thrown parties as queen, only executions.” Heat crept up my neck from my embarrassing admission.
He gave me a sad smile. “Well, we shall remedy that right this instant. My queen, will you do me the honor of being your first dance ever?” Alaric grandly bowed as he offered me his hand.
“You’re ridiculous,” I said, but I laughed and placed my hand in his.
“Only for you,” he admitted while sweeping me onto the dance floor.
My heart fluttered from his remark, because I felt like I was the sole person in all the realms who could bring out this quirky side of the Serpent King.
The quartet fell into a softer, enchanting tune, prompting couples to slow their jovial dancing and sway side to side rather closely.
Was I expected to dance that intimately with Alaric?
I glanced at my snakes for some comfort, but of course the little heathens abandoned me in my time of need. I sighed, not knowing what to do with my feet.
“I can practically hear you overthinking,” he whispered into my ear as he pulled me tightly against him.
My breasts were fully pressed against his chest, and he extended our joined hands out to one side while sweeping his other behind to brace my lower back.
“You’re too tense, relax.” The pressure of his fingertips against my back increased, pulling a sharp breath from my lips at how cold his touch was, even through the silk of my dress.
I began to glance toward my feet to see where I was stepping, but Alaric’s commanding voice stopped me dead in my tracks.
“Eyes on me.”
My brows rose at the command, but my gaze did return to his. In the past, if someone dared demand the Serpent Queen to do anything, they’d find themselves executed shortly after.
So, why did a slight thrill shoot through me at the way the Serpent King commanded me?
Suddenly, I felt very hot, my tongue darting out to wet my parched lips. Alaric’s eyes tracked my motion as they dipped to watch my tongue swirl across my lips, making his once bright green eyes now dark with a spark of . . .
I sniffed the air, noting the way it smelt like vanilla and musk.
Fuck.
The Serpent King desired me.
I knew he had a possessive claim over me for some unfathomable reason, but this—this felt different.
“Alaric,” I breathed as our bodies swayed around the dance floor.
His eyes shot to mine, a ravenous hunger scorching within them.
His hand moved up my back, all the way to rest at the nape of my neck.
He gripped me hard, like it was the only tether holding him back from doing something extremely careless.
Yet, as his gaze continuously dropped to my lips, I realized he was indeed foolish, because he was going to kiss me.
My traitorous heart fluttered with excitement, but the logical side of my brain blared with alarm bells.
The last time we kissed the whole world shook, and the human lands were never the same.
The destruction I caused for my realm, for my people .
. . I couldn’t do that again, especially to such a beautiful place like the Emerald Glades.
Right as he dipped his lips toward mine, I planted my hand against his chest.
“We can’t.” My attempt to stop him only brought our faces closer, close enough I could feel the heat of his breath dancing across my skin.
“Tell me you don’t want me, Seera,” he breathed against my lips.
The sway of our hips pressed against each other was hypnotic, alluring, and so sensual. I felt his hardness press against me, causing heat to flare between the apex of my thighs.
“Better yet, let me tell you how I’d let all the realms crumble to ash if it meant I got one more taste of those perfect, pouty lips.” His voice was husky, sheer lust coating every word falling from his beautifully wicked mouth.
For Serpent’s Sake. This man was good.
I chewed on said perfect lip, wanting more than anything to tell Alaric that I didn’t want him, but I was losing the battle within me with every shared breath between us—with every swish of our hips, with every touch of his fingertips along the nape of my neck . . .
My resolve completely crumbled, the fight in me dissolving like a dream upon waking.
I wanted him.
I wanted the Serpent King.
I wanted Alaric.
Damn the consequences.
Right as I was readying myself to close the sliver of space between our lips, a beautiful laugh split through the air.
A laugh I hated I recognized so easily.
Our romantic moment was ruined when I leaned away from Alaric to glance over my shoulder. I turned just in time to see Adalina being swept across the dance floor by a familiar set of defined arms.
Landon was casting an award-winning smile down at the god as he pulled her closer to him. They danced around the space like they were the only two people in all the realms.
A pang of sadness and surprise rattled through me at the emotion rearing its vicious head as I stared after them.
Jealousy.
I was jealous that Landon looked at a female he’s known for only a fraction of our time together like that.
The drink I consumed earlier turned sour in my stomach, making bile quickly burn up my throat. I tried to swallow my feelings, like I always did, but I couldn’t this time as they manifested in a very tangible way.
I only had enough time to rip myself from the Serpent King’s arms as I vomited all over his shiny, black dress shoes.