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Enid didn’t break her gaze from Avenay, and though she could see the effect on her, Avenay didn’t respond. She was terribly aware of thefabric against her suddenly sensitive breasts, and aware of how little fabric it was. The look in Avenay’s eyes held a promise of pleasure, and Enid didn’t know how to not fall into it.

“It’s an orgy. You can choose one partner, or none if you just want to watch. You can have as many as you want, at one time, or throughout the night. It’s pure ecstasy.”

Avenay smirked and leaned forward so their faces were mere inches apart.

“I think you intend to shock me with your salacious tongue.”

A sensual smile curved Enid’s lips. “Have I succeeded?”

“Hardly,” Avenay scoffed. “I’m well read. There is nothing you can say in any tongue that will shock me. If anything, I’m certain I could astonish you with the things I’ve stumbled across.”

Avenay’s gaze heated as they stared at one another. The very air between them was thick with implications, and Enid’s lower stomach fluttered in response.

“Maybe you can demonstrate some of these ‘things’ you’ve stumbled across later.”

Avenay made a humming noise, smiling as she led Enid on to a group of dancers. “Maybe I will.”

Hevena saw them in the crowd and made her way over, sidling up next to them.

“We have this celebration every moon cycle, but this is the most vibrant I’ve seen the people in ages,” she said.

“They have a lot to be excited about,” Enid replied.

“We will be forever indebted to all of you.” Hevena’s voice was thick with emotion as she spoke. Then she looked at the dancers. “Avenay, I think you’d like the spell they are weaving with this dance. I can show you what it says in Entailish.”

“I’d love to see it.”

Enid looked over her shoulder, seeing Dryston sitting on a stone wall, drinking from a mug and staring at the dancers. “I’m going to talk to Drys. Go ahead without me.”

Avenay nodded, and Enid wandered to her brother.

She kicked his boot as she came up, and his gaze drifted to her. “You don’t look celebratory.”

He sighed, gesturing for her to sit next to him. She did, taking a glass of sweet smelling wine from a person walking by with a tray. “I’m tense about the ritual.”

“Are you going to tell me to stand down and not go?” She instinctively bristled at the thought.

He shook his head. “No, I understand that you need to do this. And I think I’d like to have you by my side in the fight, Enid. So I’ll be there too, outside the temple.”

She saw the sincerity in his eyes and, to keep from tearing up, she swallowed back a gulp of her wine. The silence stretched on, the tension so thick Enid almost choked.

“I see you and Avenay are fully together now,” he stated, voice gruff and stilted.

“Yes,” Enid said, throwing the bottle back for another drink. “Are you going to lecture me about politics again?”

“No.”

She glanced at him sidelong, seeing sincerity again. She took another long drink. What was his game?

“She’s your mate?” he asked.

She swallowed hard. “Yes. As inconvenient as it is for you.”

He let out an exasperated huff. “Why would that be inconvenient for me?”

“My mate is a seraphe whose family is close to a prominent archangel. I’m sure they will love her being with a demon. Just me coming in, once again disrupting your ability to make nice with another realm.”

“I assure you, Enid, I don’t need any help with that.”