Page 34 of Twisted Souls (Twisted Souls #1)

Zara

Dedra grinned at me as she caught me for the tenth time. I kept slipping on the smooth limestone path that led down to the village, the rain making it almost impossible to keep my balance. It was a good thing we were going to explore the shops; it seemed I needed new boots.

We zigzagged our way down the cliff and finally reached a cobbled road lined with shops. Villagers glanced our way, giving us cheerful smiles as they passed by quickly, trying to escape the rain. They wore vibrant cerulean blue and bright yellows, their fabric soft and sheer in texture. As was Gunnar's custom, I saw that their hair and clothes were embellished with the same array of gold charms and chains.

Dedra smiled back at them, and I looked at her like I didn’t know her.

She saw my expression and frowned. “What?

“Are you sure you are alright?” I asked, feigning concern.

Dedra’s brow scrunched further. “Of course, why?”

“I think that witch did something to your head; you look happy,” I said, grinning broadly at her.

Dedra laughed, pushing me playfully on the shoulder. “I have been known to have fun once a century,” she joked back, and we laughed together as we walked down the street.

“Well, this is disturbing,” a gruff voice said behind us, and we spun around to find Xavier and Jaxon with bemused looks on their faces. They weren’t wearing cloaks like we were, and the rain made their clothes cling to their bodies in the most torturous way.

“Are they getting along?” Jaxon asked Xavier, eyeing him sidelong, a smirk on his lips.

“They must be drunk,” Xavier replied, smirking at us, his gaze locked on mine. Dedra rolled her eyes and practically skipped toward them, positioning herself between them. She looped her arm around theirs and grinned.

“We aren’t, but I think we should be,” Dedra said, looking to her right toward a canopy of trees that seemed to lead out onto a large terrace. Music and laughter drifted toward us on the breeze, and the two men grinned back at her as she pulled them toward the music.

I smiled after them, and Xavier looked over his shoulder at me, blinking away the rain in his eyes. “Are you coming?” He grinned, and the sight was breathtaking. I ran toward them, looping my arm with his as we entered the canopy of trees and toward the music.

Xavier and Jaxon shook the rain off them as we stepped onto the terrace. It appeared to be spelled with magic to repel the rain. The water ran down an invisible dome-like canopy, creating a beautiful waterfall effect.

Xavier took our cloaks and passed them off to someone behind the bar while Jaxon passed around drinks. He raised his mug between us, and we clanked our glasses together with his in cheers.

My eyes scanned the room full of people dancing and talking, and I couldn’t help but feel sad. Cynthia would love a place like this. The thought of my friend saddened me further, and Xavier must have seen it etched on my face. He took my arm a moment later and led me onto the dance floor.

My eyes widened, and I shook my head in protest, but he only narrowed his gaze at me in challenge. I narrowed mine back and took his hand, letting him lead me into a dance. It brought back memories of the ball and Jaxon, and my stomach soured, but it quickly faded as Xavier pulled me into his chest.

His citrusy scent filled my lungs, and I couldn’t help but remember what it had felt like to have his lips on mine.

The music was fast and infectious, and soon, we were swept up in the rhythm. My dress flared around me as I spun, Xavier matching me step for step as we moved in rhythm. We both stumbled, almost hitting another couple on the dance floor, and we grinned as we regained our footing.

Xavier's hand was warm and firm against mine, and my hair flew around me as Xavier spun me in circles. Our hands clasped together, and he pulled me close, our bodies flush against one another as we moved to the music.

Our faces were inches apart, and I saw a mixture of excitement and happiness in his emerald eyes that I had never seen before. I let my lips curve into a soft smile, holding his stare. His eyes smoldered as they held mine, and liquid gathered at my core, the room seeming to disappear around us.

The music slowed and the corner of his lips lifted in a knowing sultry way. His eyes darkened, and he lifted his hand off my waist and slowly slid it down my arm. His touch was feather light making my skin pebble.

The music continued around us, but it was distant now, secondary to the way he looked at me. The way he was making me feel. His hand returned to my waist, and we stopped moving, as the song came to its end.

I blushed as Xavier lifted my hand to his lips. The kiss seared into my skin, leaving behind a ghostly imprint, a mark that felt like it might never fade.

He smirked, the bastard and stepped back, turning and leading us off the dance floor.

Jaxon and Dedra grinned at us as we approached, but the way Jaxon’s eyes lingered on my face, made my stomach tighten. I forced myself to look away, taking the drink Dedra offered and swallowing a large gulp, as though the burn of it might chase away the uneasy knot forming in my stomach.

“My turn!” Dedra exclaimed and grabbed Jaxon, dragging him into the middle of the floor. Jaxon looked mockingly afraid, and I grinned after them, turning to Xavier. I found him staring at someone dressed in a strange, bright green and ruffled outfit across the room.

Soren.

As if sensing our stare, Soren turned and looked at Xavier, who let out a low curse that only I could hear. Xavier's face was now disguised in his usual emotionless mask as he sighed. Soren stalked toward us. He was shorter than I remembered, lifting his nose into the air as he approached.

“Your Majesty, how lovely to see you in the villages.” His sharp gaze turned to me, and my brows rose as I took in his frizzy hair and long nose. He reminded me of someone… but I couldn’t quite place who.

“I don’t think we had the pleasure of being introduced at the last dinner,” Soren said, bowing slightly at the waist.

“Soren, this is Zara.” Xavier seemed to bite out, clearly irritated that he had come over.

“Nice to meet you, lady Zara,” Soren said, his mouth curving into a creepy smile.

“Now that I have you here, Xavier, would you mind if we chatted for a while? I have some updates I think you would be interested in.” Soren folded his arms behind his back and looked at Xavier expectantly.

Xavier’s jaw ticked, but he turned to me. “I’ll be back. Stay here,” he ordered, and I narrowed my eyes at him at his command.

“Please,” he added, “I won't be long.” He continued, and he leaned in closer to whisper into my ear, “I hope; if not, please send Jaxon to find me.”

Soren seemed to clear his throat at our exchange, and he smiled tersely at me before following Xavier, who now took off across the room.

Scanning the room again, I took in the swirling figures under the rain-soaked dome, the rhythmic pulse of the music vibrating through the floor.

Fae of all sorts swirled and twirled in their brightly colored clothing. Some with large horns protruding from their heads, others long snouts, and even some with scales shimmering iridescently in the light. A tall male with what looked like wings caught my eye in the far corner, but the constant motion of the dance made it impossible to get a good look.

Movement out of the corner of my eye caught my attention, but when I turned, no one was there. I walked to the bushes at the far end where I had seen movement and peered around them out of curiosity.

A short plump male came into view, his large brown eyes wide, his round face looking off to the side in discomfort. He wore a bright yellow cloak, blue and gold glimmering underneath. A tall blonde female stood before him, her mouth at his neck.

Her back was to me, and I made myself small, making sure I didn’t bring attention to myself.

I watched as she licked up the side of his neck, blood staining his pale skin as she patted him on the cheek.

“That wasn’t so bad now, was it?” she purred, and the male whimpered as he met her gaze. She laughed darkly, pulling something out of her pocket. “As promised,” she purred again, and the male grabbed what appeared to be a pouch of money and took off in the other direction.

I stared, blinking at what I had just witnessed. A witch. The woman turned abruptly, her gaze locking onto mine.

I flinched as her pale blue eyes met mine. She was beautiful, with short blonde hair that fell to her collarbone and a youthful, round face. Her skin was a rich ebony and her lips were full and coated in blood.

A bright cerulean silk dress clung to her curvy figure and was the perfect complement to the golden charms that were artfully woven throughout her hair.

She smiled her bloodstained teeth at me and winked before turning and walking in the other direction.

Did that just happen? A hand came down on my shoulder, making me jump wildly in response.

“Whoa, Zara, are you okay?” Jaxon asked, peering around the bush. His eyes scanned the now-empty area for a threat.

“Yes,” I breathed and tried to give him a soft smile. “All that spinning must have gone to my head.” I smiled again, and Jaxon smiled weakly, concern still shining in his eyes.

“Is Xavier back from talking with Soren?” I asked, trying to change the subject.

Jaxon laughed. “If he is talking to Soren, we will be lucky to see him by the end of the day.” He laughed again and led me back to the main area.

Jaxon was almost right; Xavier had been gone longer than I thought, but he seemed in good spirits when he returned. We had gotten a table and ordered food while he was away, and he sat down and started to shovel food into his mouth.

“Anything noteworthy?” Jaxon asked, and Xavier shook his head, his white strand falling over his eyes.

“No,” he said through a mouthful of food, making us all laugh. I poured him a glass of ale and set it in front of him, and the action seemed to make him pause.

“Did you not want—” I tried to ask, but he cut me off.

“No, I do. Thank you,” Xavier said, smirking in my direction as he took a sip.

“You are strange,” I said, rolling my eyes at him.

“I thought I was a pig?” he replied, and I burst into laughter, choking on my drink. Xavier’s eyes twinkled with amusement, and a warmth spread through me. I allowed myself to enjoy the moment, letting my worries disappear as I smiled back.