“Please?” she drawled. “For me?” She didn’t know where the courage to plead for him was coming from, but she didn’t care. Orelia went off her feelings in the moment. So used to being calculated and worried about what others thought or needed, she found herself only caring about what she wanted.
And she wanted him to dance with her.
Vade rubbed the back of his neck. “Sorry, lamb.”
The nickname triggered something other than annoyance. She sauntered forward, closing the last bit of distance between them, feeling the music in her body. “You sure?” Orelia stepped in between his legs and gripped his shoulders.
His eyes flitted between hers. “Someone’s feeling bold tonight.”
She gave him a big smile. “I feel different. I feel . . .good.” Her fingertips skirted across her collarbone, and Vade tracked the movement.
He gently gripped her wrists and nudged her away. “Well then, go have fun. I’ll keep watch.” He gave her an awkward smile and fussed with his hair, sneering at the leaves that fell out of it.
Her shoulders slumped. Not even a pretty dress could make him interested in her in the slightest. Even if just for a single dance.
The male pixie she’d danced with earlier walked toward them. “May I steal her away?” There was a hint of a territorial claim in the pristine white smile he flashed Vade’s way.
The fae’s nostrils flared. “Only if that’s what she wants.”
Orelia tried to show Vade that he was the one she wanted to dance with, but he seemed not to understand the intent in her sultry gaze.
When she didn’t deny him, the pixie whisked her away, back to the Tree.
As the moons rose higher, moving across the sky together, Orelia found herself transfixed by the beauty of the night, even if Vade wasn’t inclined to enjoy it.
She danced the night away under the light of the amethyst moon, losing herself in laughter and joy with the creatures who had welcomed her into their home. Her feet glided through the grass, and her sweat-soaked skin was kissed by the breeze as she danced with partner after partner, losing herself in the simple delight of dance. Not even the fae still plastered to his seat could take this away from her.
This was peace, she thought.
This was freedom, and life, and joy.
This was happiness.
Shrieks broke Orelia out of her euphoria. Pixies darted around, hiding in the holes in the Tree with Orelia caught in the chaos.
The sickening smell of rotted meat had her freezing in place.
“The carnador!” someone shouted.
twenty-five
The smell worsened, anda firm hand was around her arm a hairsbreadth later. Vade pulled her close to him. They made it a few steps through the fray before Evie intercepted them.
“This way!” the pixie ordered, directing them back to the ruins. They ran through the decrepit temple, and Orelia called to both of their packs as they passed the alcove. They came to her quickly, her boots and socks joining a second later, though she didn’t waste time putting them on.
Vade grabbed his pack from her and palmed a dagger from his belt. “Stay close to me,” he said.
When they had all their belongings, they ran after Evie.
“Follow me!” The pixie wove through the trees with Orelia and Vade running behind her. Shrill screams rang out as the creatures took shelter, scrambling to get into the Tree.
“I thought you said the carnador doesn’t bother you!” Orelia shouted from her place behind Evie.
“He must have smelled you two,” she said over her shoulder, wings fluttering faster as she picked up speed.
“You better not be leading us into a trap, pixie!” Vade called out from the back of the line.
Evie made a hard left, and they dashed through the trees, Orelia’s legs burning as she tried to keep up. They hurdled over bushes the pixie seemed to forget they couldn’t just fly over. Brambles nicked Orelia’s exposed arms and legs as she struggled to clear the thick foliage, breathing heavily.
