“Asteria.” Calix’s voice was a sensual rumble that touched every inch of bare skin I had. Goosebumps formed in their wake, leaving me sensitized to the touch, shivering as he continued. “Would you do me the honor of dancing with me?”
I wasn’t sure it was a good idea, but I couldn’t very well refuse the king, could I? I gave him a large smile and bowed my head, dropping my hand in his. He led me to the dance floor and immediately spun me around to him, taking my waist with one large hand that spanned across my back, with his other interlaced with my own.
Our eyes met, and the heat in both of our gazes was definitely not fit for courtly consumption. We began to move, Calix sweeping me around the dance floor, leaving me feeling lighter than air as my dreams clashed with reality, finally dancing among the stars that stretched out above and below me. That I didn’t make a fool of myself was entirely thanks to Ilta and Delia, who had taken it upon themselves to teach me the court’s dances, with Baach as my practice partner, over the last few weeks.
“You look—ethereal, tonight. You outshine every star in the sky, my réalta.” Calix whispered, his lips tugging up on one side, like he was fighting a smile, but couldn’t quite manage it. Hiseyes lingered over my body, and when they snapped back up, I was consumed in those purple irises. His hand tightened around my waist, bringing me a bit closer than was strictly proper.
“Since you picked out my outfit,” I smiled coyly. “Does that mean you’re truly complimenting yourself?”
His head tipped back slightly in a laugh, and several people looked over in surprise. I sometimes forgot that he only showed the more playful, fun side of himself to his close group of friends, while others mostly saw his hardened exterior.
“What can I say?” He began in a husky, sensual tone. “I have an instinct for what looks best covering your body, my réalta.”
The way he purred the name, the aurora slowly expanding in his eyes, his tight grip, and the expression of forced calm that was clearly trying to bank the heat in his expression—all of it told me exactly what—orwho—would look best covering my body. I couldn’t disagree. The thought of him between my thighs…
He surprised me, dipping me backwards and leaning so close to my face, our noses nearly touched. My leg went around his thigh automatically, anchoring him to me.
“Tell me, my dorchadas,” I murmured as I tightened my leg around him. Our bodies aligned as he slowly lifted me, causing my breasts to press against him, tightening my hand around his neck as my body slid down his. I bit my lip to hold back a moan before I leaned in to whisper in his ear. “While this dress is gorgeous, I think you and I both know what would truly look best on me. Darkness does become me, does it not?”
I raised my brow as my lips tilted up in a sultry smirk. A low growl echoed through his chest, wisps of darkness greeting me as his control slipped. I inhaled sharply as he used the hand on my lower back to pull me tightly against him. His shadows slid subtly into my dress, causing me to gasp as they stroked down my body, skirting over my nipples and down between my thighs. All the while I was held tightly enough against him that Iwas able to feel exactly how turned on he was. What dangerous ground we were on.
Dangerous, but thrilling—and wasn’t that the best kind?
“Hmm.” Calix hummed in a growling voice, more dragon than Fae. “It does appear that the darkness suits you.” I felt said darkness caress my skin and I shivered in his arms. He smirked at me, eyes exploding with color now. “What a shame I can’t see my essence slipping over every part of you right now, my réalta.”
My hand tightened further on his neck, in what to a human would be a bruising grip, and his head inched down slightly, his eyes focused on my lips. I pressed myself against him, gasping as his shadows circled my clit. The smirk on his mouth proved he enjoyed my reaction, and I leaned into his ear to whisper.
“Why not go for a more direct route? I wantmydorchadas to be touching me.” I bit his earlobe lightly before pulling back, in time to watch Calix’s eyes slip closed. But then Eryx was there, slapping a hand on his king’s shoulder.
“Mind if I cut in?” Eryx insisted, pulling at Calix’s shoulder.
Calix’s eyes blew wide, and the wisps of shadow dissipated completely. I could see the regret staring back at me and closed my eyes momentarily to avoid the hurt it caused—but it didn’t help. I’d seen the regret on his face plain as day. He hadn’t meant to do more than dance, and once again, we’d been unable to help ourselves when together.
Calix stepped back, bowing politely to me. “My apologies, Asteria.”
And then he was gone. I stared after him until Eryx cleared his throat. The sad understanding on his face was too much, but he seemed to realize that. The man who was there at my worst, who witnessed my complete breakdown, he just took me in his arms and let me rest my head on his shoulder as we swayed.
“Liv’s prophecies have never been wrong, you know.” He murmured a moment later.
“What?” I asked, lifting my head, confused on where that had come from.
Eryx smiled slightly, blue eyes lightening. “She’s never been wrong. And she sawyou. She may not be able to tell us much, but she said you were important. That the future of our kingdom rested on you.”
I snorted at that, still not sure how that could be, but he leveled me with a look before continuing. “This thing with you two—I know it’s difficult. For both of you. And it’s not fair to you. That’s probably what aggravates me the most about it. Calix explained how difficult it is for him, but I told him to think of you. You aren’t some pretty girl he can fuck and toss aside while waiting for his soulmate.”
I flinched at the description, but Eryx shook his head, a slight laugh escaping. “He decked me for that,hard. Said it had nothing to do with that, and to never refer to you in such a manner again. So I know he cares about you, truly. But he’s torn, between a fate set out for him and the future he desires. None of that is fair to you, and I just want you to know, we’re all here for you, Asteria. Regardless of our king, my brother he may be in all but blood, but we’re here foryou.”
Eryx’s face was set in serious lines out of place on that boyish face, those puppy dog blue eyes looking older and wiser somehow. I couldn’t help the tears that came to my eyes as I threw my arms around him. He hugged me tightly, kissing the top of my head. I wondered vaguely if this is what having an older brother was like, one who’d look out for you and protect you.
I got my waterworks under control and smiled shakily at him. “You’re the best, Eryx.”
“I know.” He winked back at me.
“Pfft.” I pushed his shoulder and he jokingly fell back, making me laugh. As he did, Baach swooped in, taking my hand and twirling me in circles.
“Dance with me, Asteria!” Baach’s boisterous demand was matched by his mood, and it was infectious. I laughed as we twirled around the dance floor. I could feel eyes on me as I smiled widely at Baach and Eryx as they passed me back and forth between them. I spotted Calix leaning against a column, talking to Lord Rhidian, but his eyes were glued onto me. I let a smirk play on my lips in response to his drilling stare, trying to ignore how sexy he looked as he leaned back—all long, hard muscles and moon white skin.
I ended up dancing with most of the Lords. All except Lord Ciaran, who seemed reluctant to let Lady Jasira leave his side. The way they looked at one another told me there was definitely something going on there, but it was none of my business. Still, that part of me that had been brought to life in Dusk Kingdom, that needed to know everyone’s secrets, still lingered there, urging me to find out.
