“Yes, a wild thing she is, too. Sweet, but very strange.” Lana cleans off the vanity while I get my sandals on and give myself one last glance in the mirror. “You look good. Now go. The sun has dipped in the sky already, and you don’t want to be late. The party is back there,” she says, gesturing to the back of the palace that I can see through the large floor-to-ceiling glass window.
“Thank you, Lana.”
She begins humming to herself as she tidies around the bathroom, effectively dismissing me. I shut the door behind me as I leave, walking over to the stairs and descending two flights where music is already floating in the air. Finely dressed shiftersmill about the lower level, some glancing my way as I pass. I offer them benign smiles before turning down a long hallway that is painted brilliantly in the orange light of the setting sun pouring in through a wall of glass. It makes the golden frames surrounding portraits of what I assume are past rulers glow. I slow my steps to examine the art, wondering if any of them are Kai’s father.
“A big art fan?” a deep voice asks from farther down the hall.
I don’t answer, instead watching as the male walks casually, his steps measured and perfectly paced. Though not quite as large as Kai, his stature is like that of all shifter males I’ve observed—broad and powerful. Tattoos swirl down both arms, at least from what I can see below his rolled-up sleeves. I turn back to look at the portraits, my head tilting to the side.
“More a fan of males with pompous hair, it seems.”
He snorts, joining me in looking at the pictures, all of which show males with their hair coiffed and puffed up. “Unfortunately, the artists of the past preferred that rulers looked more refined and less like the wild animals we can turn into.”
I glance at him out of the corner of my eye, taking in his cut jaw and broad cheekbones. His hair falls just past his shoulders, a few shorter pieces framing his face. He’s handsome, and also currently dragging his own gaze over me.
“I’m Kane.” He extends his hand out for me to shake.
Firmly clasping it, I offer my own name. “Bahira.”
“Bahira,” he drawls, like he’s tasting each letter. “Are you looking for the party? I’d be happy to escort you. Unless you need more time with these ancient males.” He gestures towards the paintings with a hubristic smirk.
My own lips tug up to the right. “You may escort me, then, Kane.” He offers his arm out to me, his red tunic straining around his muscles.
“Are you new here?” he asks as he leads me down the hallway, turning right into a space that opens up into a large foyer. A chandelier of sparkling flame gems hangs from overhead, each one dripping down like a small waterfall of golden yellow drops pouring from the ceiling and suspended in air.
“I am.”
Kane chuckles as he guides me through a set of open double doors and under an arch of woven vines, bright orange flowers in blossom all around it. The air is thick with the cloying scent of something smoky and savory. Males and females mingle with each other, holding drinks in their hands as they talk. Flame gems line walkways, and lit torches cast writhing orange and yellow light over the party goers.
“You’re going to make me work for more information, aren’t you?” he asks.
My smile widens as I look at him. I had lamented about needing someone to cool the fire that Kai seems to stoke within me every time he is near. Kane would work well enough. “Are you afraid of putting in the effort, Kane?”
His voice rumbles like a deep purr in his chest. “You’ll find that I can be quitededicatedin my efforts.”
I hold his light brown eyes, flecks of gold shimmering in them.Just like Kai’s.I scold myself for letting my thoughts once more go to the shifter king.Idiot. Turning my gaze forward, I take in the rest of the party and let go of Kane’s arm.
Long dark wooden tables connect to form a u-shape, wooden chairs packed in tightly all around it while dark green leaves and blooming white and purple flowers decorate the table centers. A throne of white and gold sits directly at the center, pretentiously overlooking both sides. I snort at that as I continue my perusal. People dance in an open space to the right of the tables, theirsensuous movements in time with the heavy beating of the drums from a band on the opposite side.
“Save me a dance for after dinner?” Kane croons near my ear.
“I am not much of a dancer, I’m afraid.”
“Perhaps I will convince you.”
I glance at him in question, but when the music comes to a halt, he leads me towards the tables, rounding the outside and—much to my surprise—bringing me to one of the sides that is nearly adjacent to Kai’s throne. Kane drops into a chair on my right while a single seat remains empty to my left. I take in the crowd as males and females filter into their own seats, a few studying me with open curiosity.
The drums start to sound again, their beat low and slow, each pound of the mallets reverberating out into the evening air. Everyone around the table stands, and I watch as Kai, Tua, and who I now know is Jahlee emerge from the double doors and descend the palace stairs. The beat picks up, the sound demanding everyone’s attention on the king. I may have snickered at him were it not for the fact that he looks absolutely miserable. His lips are drawn in a thin line, his teeth clearly gritting from the scrutiny. Upon his head rests a metal crown of what looks like thickly cut branches twisted together. Each branch curls up into a point at the front, mimicking the look of horns. The dark ensemble he wears fits him impeccably—form fitting enough to show the ridges of his muscles in a tantalizing manner.
Forcing my gaze away, I move to study Jahlee instead. Her wavy hair is left to cascade down her back, its simplicity contrasting with her detailed outfit. The material is the same as my own, only teal in color. Her top goes over one shoulder, tendrils of fabric tying together there and draping over her arm. Instead of a skirt, her bottoms are sheer and loosely cut, a long slit in the wide legs going from the jewel-cuffed ankle and up tothe sparkling, threaded waistband. Her wrists are dressed with bangles of gold, each step making them jingle loudly. Where her brother looks put off by the attention, Jahlee is drawing it towards herself. Daring anyone to look her way and then flashing them a cunning smile when they do.
Kai walks behind me and then rounds the corner of the table, straight to his throne. Tua takes up the empty place between the king and I, his eyes widening for a fraction of a second when they meet mine before he schools his face in a placating smile. Leaning forward, he looks past me at someone farther down the table to my right, but my own attention is stuck on Kai. If he is surprised to see me seated amongst the highest of the nobles here, he doesn’t show it. His face is one of pure stone, but then his gaze leaves mine and worksslowlydown my body. By the time his eyes make their way back up again, something has changed in his expression. My own heart beats at a pace matching the drums banging quickly behind me. I break whatever is happening between us first and train my attention straight ahead; unfortunately, I’m now staring directly at Jahlee, who appears to have been watching us. Her eyes bounce back and forth between her brother and me before a wide grin splits her lips.Fuck me.
Three beats of the drum—harsh and loud—signal that it’s time for everyone to sit, and I follow suit. Servants from the palace spill down the steps, bringing plates of warm fish, fresh salads, and steaming rice. As the meals are laid out before everyone, Tua stands, clinking his glass with his fork and getting the crowd to quiet immediately.
“Tonight, we honor the late King Noa and his influential rule on our glorious island. Under his reign, we knew prosperity like no other, and through his son, we shall continue to see it grow.”
The crowd claps politely, but a quick scan around the tables shows tight mouths and furrowed brows. I uncomfortably shift in my chair, drawing Kane’s attention.
