10. Raia
RAIA
Thessaly passes me a glass of my favorite dry red wine from the bartender as he raises his own glass—something colorful, sweet, and utterly grotesque. “Cheers, my darling! To the most beautiful and gifted flueratheurge in all the realms!”
A small smile blooms on my face as I huff a laugh. “A girl can hope.”
Our glasses clink together, inaudible over the sultry beat pouring off the stage.
By the time I’ve taken my first sip, Thessaly’s eyes are already wandering over the crowd.
He grins at someone, but his eyes quickly return to mine.
I arch a brow. He rolls his eyes, grinning demurely as he tosses his thick, glossy sheet of white hair over one shoulder.
“I can’t help it if I draw the eyes of every male in the room. ”
His gaze snags on someone across the bar, brows rising. “Well... not every male.” He sips his drink, nodding in their direction. My gaze follows his.
My heart stutters the moment my eyes lock with dark blue eyes, perfectly coiffed brown waves, a chiselled, scruffy jaw, pointed ears, high cheekbones, and pillowy lips.
Swoon.
Thick, veiny forearms rest on the bar where he leans. The tie of his white tunic is loose, revealing an enticing sliver of gilded, muscled flesh. Broad shoulders shift as he straightens. His lids lower, somehow intensifying his already stunning gaze, as a grin tilts one corner of his mouth.
He’s giving me fuck-me eyes.
My chest seizes. I immediately turn my back, eyes wide.
“Oh, my gods.”
My magic, without my even asking, reaches out unprompted to detect his soulbond.
My shock doubles when I detect none.
Impossible.
I’ve never not detected one. Whether or not they had met, or the other had passed, I always felt something.
Could he be my soulbound?
I’ve never been able to detect my own; I have always wondered if that is the burden of my gift—that I do not have a soulbound.
Despite my incessant, silent vows to never take a mate or honor a soulbond like my mother, hope suddenly rises in my chest like a radiant flag surviving the winds despite their wrath.
Thessaly chuckles from behind his glass. “You should go talk to him.”
My mouth is suddenly too dry. I gulp my wine, licking my lips. “You should shut your mouth.”
Thessaly giggles. “Dance with me.”
Relief washes over me, and he drags me through the crowd.
I can feel the fae male’s gaze upon me like a too-heavy touch.
Minutes tick by as seductive music permeates my body, gradually loosening my muscles and soothing my frantic heart.
A glass of wine later, I am finally blessedly lost to the music.
“I need another drink!” Thessaly shouts over the crowd before tugging me towards the bar. My eyes scan it, looking for the fae. He’s nowhere to be seen. I am both relieved and disappointed. A bartender approaches, and Thessaly gives him our drink order.
“Hello.”
My heart leaps into my throat at the sound of the baritone voice. I’m certain it’s going to burst free from my chest as I force myself to turn and come face to face with the fae.
Oh fuck, he’s even prettier up close.
I stare up at him like prey frozen beneath a predator’s gaze.
I’ve never spoken to a male in this capacity. Have never flirted outside of the harmless, innocent jibes between adolescent boys at the orphanage. I’ve only ever kissed one boy—when I was 15—playing a game of courage versus verity.
It was terrible.
Staring at this fae though... I do not think kissing him would be terrible. In fact...
My eyes dip to his perfectly formed lips.
I imagine kissing him would be exquisite. The idea gives my heart a hummingbird’s wings.
I lick my lips—parched, again—before I finally manage to reply.
“Hi.”
His grin widens, carving a dimple into his bearded cheek—the hair of which is trimmed short, giving him an air of ruggedness without looking sloppy or over-the-top.
“Would you like to dance with me?”
The reply comes too quickly. Too harsh.
“No.”
His brows lift in surprise, muscled shoulders falling.
I clear my throat. “Sorry. I just mean... Not right now. I’ve been dancing for the last hour, and now I’m thirsty. We can... talk?”
A smile leaps across his face, and it feels like the sun achieving victory over the clouds.
“Even better. Would you like to sit on the balcony? So we don’t have to shout over the music?”
I turn to introduce Thessaly. “Oh, sure, let me just ask?—
The space where Thessaly once stood behind me is now occupied by a fae female. My eyes scan the vicinity to find Thessaly already standing beside another male. He nods vigorously, giving me an encouraging grin.
Gulp.
“I’ve always admired that line of work.” Lucen, the fae, wears a thoughtful look—if not a little sad. His gaze grows a little distant, staring out to the sea beyond the balcony as I sip my water.
“What about it?”
“Anything that involves helping people... I’ve always wished I could do something like that.”
“Why can’t you?”
He huffs a mirthless laugh. “My family has only ever been interested in one thing.”
I give him a questioning look.
“Coin.”
My brows knit together. “There’s no reason why you can’t do both..."
He sighs. “Tell them that.”
“What do they do?”
“They have a number of different businesses... but imports and exports, mostly.”
“And you work for them?”
He nods. “Unfortunately, yes.”
I frown. He chuckles at my expression. “It could be worse. I’m okay. Trust me.”
“If you could do anything at all—and didn’t have to worry about money, or your family, or whatever responsibilities you have—what would it be?”
Heat rises to Lucen’s cheeks as he rears back a little in surprise.
Has no one ever asked him such a thing?
Despite his intense masculinity, there is something boyish about him. He shakes his head a little helplessly as he scrubs a hand over the back of his head. One bulging bicep tests the limits of the sleeve of his shirt.
“You’re gonna laugh.”
My heart flutters with excitement. “Oh my gods, you have to tell me now.”
Lucen smirks, sighing and relenting. “I wanted to become an acrobat and a trapeze artist.”
A surprised giggle escapes me. “Wow. That’s... incredible.”
He nods, laughing sheepishly, looking all the more boyish and that much more endearing.
“And you wanted to join the circus?”
Lucen’s grin stretches from ear to ear. “Desperately.”
My heart squeezes with sympathy even as I laugh. Feeling bolder than ever before, I reach out to give his forearm a squeeze. “Oh my goodness, you poor thing.”
He swipes at his eyes, feigning tears, as he leans in closer to me.
“Yes, poor me.”
My breath catches as he hovers mere inches from my face, gaze searching mine for permission. Butterflies take flight in my stomach. I lick my lips. His eyes lower to my mouth. When I give no protest, he leans in, capturing my lips.
Fireworks explode.
In my heart.
And my vagina.
Lucen’s lips slide against mine before parting to gently suck my lower lip between his. A soft moan of pleasure and surprise escapes me as my arousal blossoms.
Oh, fuck. Is this what kissing is supposed to be like?
I lean into him on a sigh as his arms come around me and he pulls me against his chest.
Akash-all-fucking-mighty, this is incredible.
No wonder Thessaly is so promiscuous.
My tongue seeks Lucen’s with a tentative flick. He reciprocates, groaning into me as our kiss deepens.
My heart hammers as I feel his hardness pressing into my abdomen. My clit tingles and throbs with need.
His large hands stroke gently over my hair. My hands fist the front of his shirt.
Gods, yes. Is this what I’ve been missing?
I want more.
Immediately.
Lucen’s hands roam, caressing their way down the length of my body before scooping me up by the backs of my legs, careful not to jostle my wings. He walks us to a dark corner of the empty balcony until my back is pressed against the wall.
What I lack in experience, I make up for in pure desire and instincts. My hips grind against his length. His fingers dig into the flesh of my hips as his body tenses, and he pulls away, breathless.
“Fuck, Raia..."
I whimper. “Gods, yes.”
Surely, only a soulbond can make me feel this way.
His eyes lift to mine. Bright eyes, dark with yearning and desire.
A familiar caw of displeasure rents the air as Horus lands on the balcony railing a couple of feet away. My grin splits wide. “Horus, my darling.”
Horus ignores me, and in an uncharacteristic display of hostility, begins to give a loud, throaty caw, feathers bristling, and aiming his large beak at Lucen.
My legs slide down from around his waist as Lucen steps in front of me, shielding me from Horus, as if I need protecting.
“What the fuck is with this psychotic bird?”
I shove my way around Lucen, shouting over Horus. “He’s not psychotic; he’s just protective—Horus! This is very unbecoming behavior!”
Horus quiets; croaking softly, feathers bristling, body trembling in aggravation.
“Lucen is my friend.”
I pet Lucen’s chest, like one would a dog.
Horus croaks, and somehow even manages to produce an almost hissing sound before forming the words. “Lucen, pet.”
I chuckle.
Lucen gives a surprised laugh. “Akash almighty.”
I reach up to pat Lucen’s head. “Yes. Lucen, pet... See?”
Horus tips his head, giving another aggressive croak as he seems to thoroughly examine Lucen.
Lucen grins appreciatively. “You should have warned me you have such a fierce guardian.”
Horus makes an odd sound that I can only describe as grumbling.
My lips twitch. “Apologies. Horus comes and goes as he pleases, and I hadn’t anticipated him showing up, nor this hostility. He’s normally so well-mannered.”
Lucen smiles at Horus. “Well then, it is an honor to meet you, mighty guardian. My name is Lucen. I assure you my intentions with Raia are almost entirely pure of heart.”
He turns his head briefly to me, eyes flashing with mischief and wearing a grin so dashing it makes my pussy clench.
Horus makes his grumbling sound again, followed by a croak, but his feathers are no longer bristling.
I step forward to press a kiss to the top of Horace’s head. “I’ll be home soon, darling.”