“That drunken smile says otherwise.”
“How was the brothel?” Her fingers dug into his neck with the question.
His smirk faded. “I didn’t go.”
Orelia couldn’t think of how to respond, so she just let him lead her, and even though they fumbled around the dance floor, she had to admit she enjoyed that he was here. When the song ended, Vade let her go. “Let’s go back to the cabin. It’s late.”
Orelia stood firm. “I don’t want to. I’m enjoying myself here.”
Someone wrapped their arms around her from behind. “Can I have you back now?” Ivan’s sweet voice sounded in her ear. He kissed her cheek.
“Let’s go, Orelia,” Vade snapped.
“No.” He controlled every minute of her schedule, and for once, she wasn’t going to bow to him. For one night, she just wanted to do whatshewanted. And she wanted to keep dancing.
“I’m not playing games, witch. We need to be up early. Let’s go.” When Vade reached out for her, Orelia hooked her arm around Ivan’s.
“I’m staying with him.”
Ivan gave the fae a taunting grin.
Vade grabbed her arm. “I said, let’s go.”
Ivan knocked his hand away and stepped in front of her. “She said she doesn’t want to go, so turn around and leave before you cause a problem.”
Wrath swirled in the depths of the fae’s black irises. “Touch me again, and I’ll break your fucking neck.”
It didn’t matter that she’d enjoyed dancing with him. It was only a matter of time before Vade ruined her night even more. He was nothing if not predictable.
Orelia pushed the men apart. “Stop. I’m not going with you. I’m staying here. You told me to enjoy myself tonight, and that’s what I’m doing.”
Vade blew out a breath. “I’m not—”
“She said ‘no.’ Get it through your thick skull.”
Her skin warmed at being defended so boldly by someone she barely knew.
Vade looked like he was about to tear Ivan to pieces. His eyes slid to hers, but Orelia didn’t give in. He was not her ruler.
She sidled up to Ivan, and he draped an arm over her shoulder. “Don’t wait up tonight.” She winked at Vade, then led her new companion back to their table with a confident, if not a bit sloppy, walk that she knew would have the fae fuming.
She didn’t care.
After another ale, Orelia’s eagerness to take Ivan to bed fell away. It wasn’t soon after Vade left the tavern cursing under his breath that the human’s words became slurred, and his hands became more explorative of her body.
Orelia had pushed his hands away multiple times, but he kept returning them to her. “Come on . . .” he drawled in her ear.
She moved his hand away from under her breast. “I’m not feeling well,” she lied. “I’m leaving.” Orelia tried to get off his lap, but he didn’t let her.
“Stay a little while longer with me. Aren’t you having fun?”
She had been, but the ale had caught up to her, leaving her full, sleepy, and making her head spin. Besides, they did have a long way to travel tomorrow. Her head would be throbbing come morning, but she wished for a warm bed, even if it meant enduring an inevitable lecture from Vade about not coming back with him. At least she’d wake up in a place with someone she actually knew.
Orelia managed to escape Ivan’s grip and stood as he did the same.
“We’ve been here for a long time already,” she said. “I want to call it a night.”
“Then how about we go back to my estate? You won’t believe how big it is.” He kissed her neck, and when her head lolled to the left, the room spun so quickly shealmost fell over.
