“Piper,” Auraelia admonished playfully. “When there is something to tell, you will be the first to know.”
“You saidno?!”
“No, it was more of an ‘ask me when the world isn’t ending’,” Daemon supplied, smirking at the glare the two best friends shared. It turned into a full-fledged, amused smile when Piper softly screeched Auraelia’s name.
“Piper, stop,” Auraelia said with a laugh as she dragged her friend toward the tables of food, casting a smile over her shoulder at him before giving her her full attention.
Daemon watched from a distance as their conversation grew more animated. But the lightness that had filled him from histime at the lake with Auraelia died away as Lord Harland crossed the room to where the women stood. When he extended his hand toward Auraelia, Daemon’s jaw clenched with painful tightness, and he was sure his teeth would crack under the pressure. But when she took Lord Harland’s hand, her entire body stiff as he led her out to the dance floor, Daemon’s shadows revolted against the stranglehold he had on them.
How she managed to allow that man to touch her was beyond him, but he knew there was nothing he could do but watch.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Auraelia
“I can’t believe you didn’t tell him yes,” Piper muttered for what seemed like the fiftieth time since they’d walked away from Daemon before popping a piece of cheese in her mouth.
Auraelia was about to explainagainhow it wasn’t the right time, but her words were cut short as the hairs on the back of her neck stood on end, her pulse fluttering in time with the pounding of her heart as her magic seemed to wake, stirring uneasily in her veins. She didn’t understand the feelings coursing through her body. The night had been amazing; her mind was calm for the first time in what felt like forever, and she was with her people. With the people who loved and supported her. There was no reason for her magic to be on high alert…for theangershe felt filling her body.
Scanning the room, her gaze fell on Daemon—on the tight set of his shoulders, the hard line of his jaw, and the way he continuously clenched and unclenched his fists at his side. It was then that she realized it washis angershe was feeling, though she didn’t know why. He had been perfectly at ease only moments before. She tried following his gaze, but Piper’s sharp inhale pulled her attention—her eyes widening as she took in the look on her friend’s face. The color had drained from Piper’s skin, her lips set in a tight, thin line, eyes focused just over Auraelia’s shoulder.
What the hell is going on?
“Your Majesty.”
The hoarse, grating tone of Lord Harland’s voice sent chills down her spine, and she had to tighten the hold on her magic. Slowly, she turned to face the man who was determined to see her fall.
With a sickly sweet smile on her face, she asked, “Lord Harland. How may I be of service?”
“Would you honor me with a dance?”
The audacity of his question rendered her speechless for a moment before she remembered the role she had to play. Of the mask she had to continue wearing for a little while longer. “Of course.”
Lord Harland gave her a slight bow and extended his hand. Burning rage slammed into her chest as she slipped her hand into his, and she had to take a deep breath to quell the feeling. Daemon’s anger was a fiery inferno in her chest, his anxiety a tight ball in her stomach that twisted and twined with her own.
Breathe.
In.
Out.
It’s only a dance.
She repeated the words on a loop in her mind, steadying her breathing as she allowed him to lead her to the dance floor. Everything about it felt wrong. The pressure of his hand on her back. Of her hand in his. The longer she was in his presence, an inky feeling of dread coated every fiber of her being.
They’d made one pass around the floor before Lord Harland spoke, his words sending chills down her spine. “You’re not planning on running from your problems, are you?”
“Excuse me?” She made to pull away, but his hold on her hardened, pulling her closer as he continued to lead her through the steps.
“You disappeared tonight. Withhim.”
“Where I do or do not go, and with whom, is no concern of yours.”
“Of course, Your Majesty. I’m just making sure you’re not abandoning your people. I’m sure you’re concerned about what is to come.”
The nonchalant way he accused her of abandoning her people, of betraying her role—her kingdom—had her magic simmering just below the surface. “Lord Harland, you seem to have forgotten yourself.”
“Your Majesty?” His brows were drawn together, but a spark in his eyes betrayed the confusion he seemed determined to convey.
