Page 91

“Very good,” Salas responded, sounding pleased.

When the door shut, Lio and Salas scurried away, giggling madly.

The next evening, the ball, as planned, was held. Dancing was still kicking into motion by the time Lio arrived, spotting Tarick waiting at the threshold for him. In deep green, with his hair tied back, Lio had never seen a more handsome man.

He needed to say so. This was another thing he had planned for.

But Tarick beat him to it, taking Lio’s hand gently and kissing the knuckles. “You look beautiful, Lio. The prettiest evening delight one could ever hope for. Happiness is so becoming on you.”

Whatever Lio wanted to say, of course, became lodged in his throat. “Y-you…you…”

Tarick grinned and guided him to the dance floor.

The hands on him were all gentle and delicate. When Lio misstepped, Tarick’s responding steps were all smooth glides, as though he were able to anticipate each and every time Lio misplaced a foot.

Towards the end of the night, the hands on him felt weighted. Or more like, he wished for them to be so. He wanted Tarick to hold him tighter, closer.

He needed to ask the question.

Looking up into Tarick’s warm eyes that glittered with kindness, he stopped dancing, and he knew for certain.He needed Tarick to stay.

Tarick immediately stopped the waltz as well. “Are you tired?”

Lio shook his head. “No, just…in need of air.”

Tarick nodded and took his hand once more, guiding him through the throng of spinning couples, and out into the hall. There, Lio took the lead.

“Um…” Lio couldn’t explain where they were going without mentioning his intent and becoming a stuttering mess, so he simply walked, warmed by the feeling of Tarick keeping pace at his back, no questions.

He went to the library, which was deserted. The fire pit remained ablaze, though, and Lio went to it, then turned to face the man who had followed him. Wordlessly, he reached into his pocket, his fingers grazing over the sharp object he’d hidden there, and pulled it out.

It was a puppy’s canine baby tooth.

He held it out to Tarick.

“Ah,” Tarick said easily enough, taking the tooth between thumb and forefinger. “Is this another grand act to win over my affections?”

Lio frowned. Did Tarick not know what the tooth meant? “Salas said… He said thatyoutold him that in Diagor, instead of rings, the people trade the teeths of their ancestors.” He paused, feeling as though he had made a terrible mistake, as he had been unable to acquire any ancestral teeth. He’d settled on a puppy tooth. “It hadn’t made much sense to me, as the curse has only been for one generation, but I do not question the customs of the North!” he said in a rush.

“Trade teeth for what? Mmmh….” Tarick’s pause was long and seemed to hold forever. “I remember what I told him.”

Lio peeked up, as he had been staring hard at the toggles at Tarick’s front. He knew, for his next words, he could not hesitate or stutter. His words could not be kept in his throat, as always. They had to be loud and true. “I would like to ask for your hand in marriage.”

Tarick’s eyes were hot as they studied him, heavy like the depths of the Susconian ocean. Then he reached, cupping Lio’s chin in his hand and brushing his thumb over his cheekbone.

“You can have whatever you want, love. Always.” He leaned forward and placed a kiss on his forehead. “And we will be married, I guarantee it.” The next kiss came to the soft tip of his nose. Teasing. “But not now.”

Lio’s heart immediately sunk as he stared into honey eyes. He opened his mouth to explain why it was important, though he could think of nothing to say. “But…”

“You’re not as cunning as you believe you are, boy.” He was crouching again, making himself level with Lio. “Tell me what’s in this head of yours.”

Lio gasped. How had he been found out?

“Like I said,” Tarick tutted. “Not cunning enough. Do you feel safe with me, Lio?”

After a moment, Lio nodded.

“Then tell me what has brought this on. There has been something that you’ve been worrying about that has led to this. I’ve seen it whenever we part ways. You always look so sad.” It wasn’t until Tarick brushed a tear from his cheek did he realize he was crying. “Tell me, and all you want will be yours.”