Smoothing a hand over his hair, Damien collected himself and his eyes returned to their usual hues of green.
“Thank you.” It was all Luna could think to say. For a monster, he was well-behaved.
“Of course.” Damien held out his hand, gesturing towards the couples swirling in time to the music. “Shall we?”
Luna hesitated, her heart sinking at the thought. Just because he had stood up for her and obeyed her wish to avoid violence didn’t mean she owed him anything. She shook her head. “I’m not going to dance with you.”
Damien’s gaze slid over to Marion and Gregory. “Don’t pretend you haven’t been staring at that couple, wishing you were her.”
As much as she wanted to deny it, what would be the point? She had been watching them.
He put his hand out, his palm open for her to take if she wished. “One dance. What’s the harm?”
It was tempting. She had come here for a reason, and a quick glance at Marion confirmed she’d probably spend the remainder of the evening watching from the sidelines, again. So why not dance with Damien? No one here knew she was a noblewoman, nor him a unicorn. Her reputation wasn’t at risk of being ruined. Why not enjoy this rare chance to experience something normal?
She drew in a steadying breath. “Alright. One dance. But I warn you—I’m a total beginner.”
She downed the rest of her glass, willing the liquid courage to hit her sooner rather than later. If she was going to be this close to a unicorn, she was going to need it.
The instant she slid her hand in his, an energy hummed through her body, sending tingles sliding down her back, straightening her spine as if shocked by an electrical jolt.
He pulled her in, his other hand finding hers and guided it to his shoulder. His hand snaked around her waist, leaving her breathless. His presence, the solidness of him, pressed against her, drew her even closer. An image of Clyde flashed in her mind; he was the only other person who had held her this close, but in her intoxicated state, the thought disappeared before she could even grasp it.
The music thrummed beneath her skin, its melody pulsing through her veins. He led her into a dance that echoed Marion and Gregory’s, the footwork fast, but Damien was an exceptional dance partner. He twirled her near to his body, keeping her in arm’s reach, and then he swept her off her feet, swinging her between his legs, then up overhead. Giggling like a fool, she tilted her head back, a smile spreading across her lips as delight bloomed in her chest. For a fleeting moment, she wished this dance would never end.
He placed her back on her feet, but before she had time to catch her breath, she was twirling, spinning round and round in a dizzying whirlwind. She let herself go, her body responding instinctively to his, moving with an unbridled sense of abandonment.
The tempo slowed, and so did they.
Damien drew her in, chest to chest, his warmth bleeding through the fabric of her dress and seeping into her skin, unravelling her thoughts.
Her hands slid upwards, fingers tracing the nape of his neck before linking behind it, enjoying the impossible warmth of his skin. The feel of him—solid, steady—brought a hum of awareness to her chest.
They swayed together, her body molding to his like they were meant to fit together. The noise of the tavern, the clink of glasses, the world itself all faded into nothing. There was only him.
Damien’s fingers found her chin, tilting her face up, his touch feather light. When their eyes locked, Luna was captivated by what she saw. Her soul wandered into the dark forest of his irises, tracing flecks of brown like hidden embers. A flush crept up her neck, her breath catching as heat pooled low in her belly.
Her lips parted before she could stop herself and she closed her eyes, anticipation curling in her chest . . .
But the kiss never came.
When she opened her eyes, Damien was looking down at her, an amused little smirk on his face. His gaze held a flicker of . . . indignation, perhaps? Maybe even contempt, but it vanished too quickly to be sure.
Humiliation crashed through her in a hot wave. Had she misread the moment? The thought sent a sharp ache through her chest. Heat rose to her cheeks, and she stepped back, suddenly feeling far too exposed.
Somehow, most likely due to all the alcohol she had drank, her feet tangled themselves together, and she stumbled. If Damien hadn’t still been holding onto her, she’d have fallen on her face.
“Are you all right?” he asked, his voice a soft rumble that resonated more deeply than intended.
No, she was not all right; she was drunk. The room was spinning. And on top of it all, she had tried to kiss a freaking unicorn! And worse—she had been rejected.
Avoiding his gaze, she palmed her cheeks and tried to steady her vision. “The room is kind of . . .” She paused, thinking of the right word. “Floaty.”
He helped steady her back onto her feet. “How much have you had to drink?”
Wobbling, she raised her hand and pinched her index finger and thumb together. “Just a smidge.”
“A smidge too much. Let’s get you some food.”
