Page 106

Talon

Talon watched Rion’s reaction when Niall claimed another dance. The male still stood with Ellie, both speaking in hushed tones. Ellie was safe. Arianna was safe. And his warriors from Móirín were keeping a careful eye on them all. Talon loosed a breath and turned to watch the female that had stolen his attention as soon as he’d laid eyes on her.

He swallowed hard and pulled at his jacket. Sweat had formed along his back, causing the silken material to stick to his body, but he rolled his shoulders and tried to ignore it.

Raevina. The ambassador of Fiadh. He knew they were supposed to be enemies. There was tension between their countries after the invasion, but Talon couldn’t ignore the flawless dark skin of her bare leg or the white dress slitted all the way to her mid-thigh. It hugged her flawless form, revealing a sleek, muscular body likely honed from centuries of training.

Talon knew she wasn’t young. He’d had to learn about the royal families and their children, and the Lord of Fiadh hadn’t sired any children in well over two centuries. Not since he’d dispatched his last partner. Talon silently hoped it hadn’t been the female’s mother.

The silk of Raevina’s dress rose to hug her throat before dipping to cover her torso. It left her arms bare and she wore thick golden bangles on her left upper arm. Bracelets hung loose around her wrists and golden earrings hung low from her ears, thin and elegant. She’d painted her lips a shade darker than her skin.

He’d watched her arrival to Ruadhán, eager to examine who they might be contending with, but when the warrior dressed in fighting leathers had emerged from her extravagant carriage, his mouth had gone dry. She’d passed him in the hall and he hadn’t been able to speak at all. Thankfully, she’d only looked at him once, likely dismissing him as another guard.

The female radiated an air of ruthless authority that told Talon approaching her was as stupid as it was brave.

He didn’t care. He needed to speak with her. Meet her. Touch her, if she’d allow it.

Talon glanced at Arianna again, then set his drink on the nearest table. Raevina was surrounded by what Talon could only assume was a group of her close comrades. Or friends. But they all quieted at his approach and their smiles faded.

Her eyes locked with his, pinning him in place, daring him to take another step. A warning for lesser males to keep their distance.

But Talon wasn’t a lesser male, and he wouldn’t bow to her intimidation. If she wanted him on his knees, there were other, more agreeable ways to convince him.

Her brow rose when he continued through the crowd and somehow, despite his racing heart, Talon kept his voice calm. He placed one hand behind his back and held the other out. “Could I have the extraordinary honor of a dance?” He didn’t presume she’d say yes, and he wouldn’t disrespect a female by reaching for her.

Raevina cocked her head at him and swirled her drink. Her gaze swept up and down his form, but miraculously, Talon remained still under her scrutiny. “Can you dance?” she challenged. “I’m not at all interested in the pathetic sway some of these lot are doing.”

A half grin. “I assure you, I can dance just as well as any lord’s son.”

She tilted her head. “I’ve danced with many a lord’s son.” He didn’t take the bait. Finally, she set her glass on the high table beside her. Those with Raevina raised their brows in surprise. “I’ll be the judge of that.”

Talon ignored the jab and his heart soared when she slid her bare hand into his. She allowed him to lead her out onto the dance floor. Allowed, because he could tell from the way she kept her balance that this female could put him on his ass in an instant if she wished it.

Raevina spun around, almost as though she hoped to catch him by surprise, but Talon stepped forward and met the movement with his own. The two spun, falling into step with those already occupying the dance floor.

His fingers grazed her waist, and it set his blood on fire. Her hand was over his shoulder and when she twisted into a spin, Talon pulled her back, dipping her. The movement allowed him a brief touch of the bare skin of her back. Then they were moving again.

He kept time easily, even with the beautiful distraction in his arms. She didn’t shy away, didn’t balk, and even offered him a coy smile that suggested she knew exactly how she affected him. She was likely accustomed to having a similar effect on most males who crossed her path.

He hated the idea, but slammed a lid over his territorial Fae nature. He wouldn’t let it intrude upon this moment. Not when he was able to steal small touches when she allowed. He didn’t push nor did he let his fingers wander, no matter how much he wanted it. Gods, he wanted to do so many things with her. He wanted to please her in every way, all night. To hear his name on her lips just once.

The song ended and she pulled away too soon, her palm on his chest. He knew she could feel his racing heart. A spark lit up behind her gaze and she smiled like a feral creature, wide and unyielding.

“Well, I do believe you can dance just as well as a lord’s son.” Talon beamed, his chest swelling with pride. The music slowed then and those around them drew closer, pressing their bodies against one another. He held out his hand again but Raevina shook her head.

“I told you, I don’t do the sway thing.” She winked at him, but something in her gaze suddenly seemed strained. Pain? She recovered quickly then twisted on her heel and walked away, joining her friends with a smile on her face.

Talon just watched, reveling for a moment in the fact that he’d gotten to touch the most beautiful creature he’d ever laid eyes on.

Chapter Forty-three

Arianna

“You look absolutely stunning tonight,” Niall said.

Arianna struggled not to pull away from his grip. She hated the feel of another male’s hands against her body, but if she pulled away, she would create a scene, and the last thing Arianna wanted was to cause an issue.

“Thank you, you look nice as well.”