I bit my lip, watching her go. Gods, if only she knew how far from a friend I was.
Asher tsked, gently pulling my lip from my teeth. “Tell me what troubles you, darling.”
I hid my shiver and slipped back into my role of sweet seductress. “I—I’ve never been to a party like this before. I’m nervous I’ll say or do the wrong thing.”
His shoulder brushed mine as his warm brown eyes asked me to trust him. “You have nothing to fear with me. Stay by my side, and I’ll make sure this is a night you remember forever.”
I smiled and tentatively initiated the first touch, catching one of the beaded strings from his crown and rolling it between my fingers. Ruru had said that was important, to get my mark used to my hands being near him.
Asher was completely enraptured and didn’t feel my hand slip under his cape. No weapons. Shirt tucked. I would have to change that. His desire to wear so many other, heavier necklaces tonight might actually work in my favor. If I found the right clasp on the first try.
“I’ve heard you have thebestfood at your parties,” I said, still playing with his beads.
His nose dipped close to mine. “I do. Would you like some?”
I nodded shyly, leaning away.
A wicked gleam entered his gaze, but he turned and called out to a few servants standing nearby.
They quickly brought forward platter after platter of food. Skewers of smoked meat and chubby balls of white cheese drizzled with oil and herbs. Whole fish stuffed with a rainbow of vegetables. Heaps of rice with thick curls of butter melting through them. Whole corn cobs from a distant field in Pravara were fried in a delicate crust of cheese and spice.
Those corn cobs used to be my favorite. Father had them served at the palace every summer. Even during the Pravaran rebellion. I’d lost my taste for them since then.
Everyone else in the alcove partook of the expensive delicacies while I chewed a bit of bread soaked in honey to settle my stomach. I made sure to keep refilling Asher’s wine glass. He asked me a few more questions, but I steered the conversation into talking about him, which he was only too glad to do.
I didn’t know how much time had passed, but surely Aiden and Maz were waiting for me by now.
Any moment someone might realize Aiden wasn’t really a guard or the real guard could wake up or Asher might grow tired of me...
“Gods, it’s getting warm in here,” I said, fanning myself with one of my silks. I leaned back on my hands, pushing my breasts forward. “Don’t you agree, my lord? I mean, Asher.”
He grinned, his cheeks flushed from the wine, as his gaze dipped to my barely covered breasts. “Indeed, I quite like it. Makes one relax, I think. But I could have my servants bring fans?—”
“No,” I said quickly, curling closer to him and pressing my hand to his stomach. “I’m simply thinking of you. You’re wearing so much more than I am. Would you allow me to... loosen a few things?”
His eyes glazed over as I tugged his shirt from his pants. I danced my fingers over the back of his neck, feeling for the smallest clasp.
I brought my lips close to his ear. “After all, didn’t Arduen prefer decoration over clothing?”
Asher shuddered just as I unclasped his cloak and his necklace in the same moment.
His gold cloak fell into a puddle of gold—and a small metal key landed in my waiting palm under his shirt. Heady withtriumph, I nipped Asher’s earlobe as I stowed the key with its chain in my breast band.
He groaned and seized my wrist. “You tease me, Katerina.”
I smiled at his torn expression. “I have not even begun to tease you, Asher. Shall we play a game?”
“I would love to play with you,” he whispered, his wicked smile returning.
I tapped the end of his nose. “Eat, dance, flirt with anyone else you can find. If, by the end of the night, you are still interested in me, I will dance for you again.Onlyyou.”
Desire flared in his gaze. “The end of the night can’t come too soon.”
Yes, it certainly can.
I slipped from his grasp and gave him one last heated look over my shoulder as he watched me leave.
But Asher evaporated from my mind the moment I turned away. I took pains to walk slowly through the crowd. The little key felt like a branding iron pressed to my skin, marking me as a thief for all to see.
