Page 61 of The Gathering

“I would have wiped the powdered sugar from the corner of your lips,” he continued, his voice softer, “felt the beat of your heart beneath my fingertips on your wrist."

"The music would have picked up or slowed down,” he continued in a voice that Bala strained to hear. “And I would have led you to the middle of the floor, where I would have held onto you until the pull of us became so much I would have had to stop only to stare at your laughing face. I would have brushed my thumb against your jaw, held your face a breath from mine, and told you I'd noticed no other since walking into this room. I would have told you how your spinning in this dress had me mesmerized the entire night—” He paused, his fingers curling around the fabric of her sleeves.

Nyssa cleared her throat, and Bala blinked herself to come out of the daze.

“And that would have secured my place in your bed?” Nyssa asked.

He hung his head, almost surrendering. “Probably not with you. But it would have left an impression.”

“An impression is all you need, isn’t it?”

“Always leave them wanting more.”

For a moment, neither moved. Bala pushed her cup against her lips, catching Lex’s gaze again, and she started a countdown on her fingers from five.

Four.

Three.

Two—

"I think I need some air," Nyssa said as she pushed off the wall.

"Yeah. Me too."

Smiling broadly, Lex shook her head as Nadir followed quickly after Nyssa, towards the doors and out into the halls. Bala gave her a smug wink, and Lex raised her glass as Bala then crossed the room.

Hagen was grinning as he joined the pair, looking over his shoulder and watching Nyssa and Nadir disappear. “That only took a couple of hours,” he said gruffly when Bala joined them.

“Yeah, you nearly ruined it,” Bala said. “The agreement was a distraction, not bringing the Queen closer.”

Realization washed over Hagen’s features. “Oh, that’s why the Prince gave me that look,” he said. “Right.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

NYSSA DIDN'T STOP walking even when the night air hit her face. She kept going until she hit the railing. Her hands gripped the stone banister, and she closed her eyes, allowing the sea breeze to hit her warmed cheeks.

Everything Nadir had just said to her replayed in her mind. Every look he’d given her. Every touch of his hand against hers. Her heart was pounding as she tried to collect herself, though it was to little use.

Moons’ light cascaded down over her, and when she finally turned, she found Nadir standing in the middle of the open space. Her heart skipped at the sight of him.

"I was right," he said, stepping slowly towards her.

"About what?" she managed.

"You being the most dangerous person in that room."

He paused a breath away. She could see the battle he was waging with himself in his features. Her cheeks flushed, heartbeat now throbbing in her ears and fingers stretching at her sides as she itched to touch him. She allowed her hands to breeze his stomach, toying with his shirt, and then she felt his fingertips graze the back of her arm.

“This is a really bad idea,” Nadir breathed.

Her eyes rose to his, head tilting back. His breath was sweet on her skin as his head bent.

“Very bad,” she agreed.

“I think you lured me out here just to be alone with me,” he continued.

She almost laughed, the smile on his lips so close to hers that her chest caved. "I didn't tell you to follow."