“Sana came up with that, but it was usually Thal getting us into trouble.” Tae rolled his eyes. “Being a general and consort to the Princess gives him a lot of leeway.”
“Ah, I see.” I didn't really. “Would you hate me if I said the Princess was kinda bitchy?”
Tae laughed brightly. “Sana can be very arrogant, especially when it comes to being Sidhe. She's never ventured out of Varalorre, so her image of humans isn't the most accurate.”
“And that means what exactly?”
Tae shrugged. “The facts are that humans are mortal, physically weaker, and less advanced both magically and technologically than the Fae. Certain assumptions can be made from those facts.”
“You sound as if you made those assumptions yourself.”
“I did,” he admitted readily. “I was just like them once. But then I became the warlord of an interracial army, and I realized that those things are generalities. They describe physical conditions and limitations that have nothing to do with who humans truly are.”
“Well said. And thanks for saying I was attractive before the change.”
“You were.”
“But not as attractive as I am now?” I lifted a brow at him.
“Are you trying to start a fight with me?” Tae scowled. “Yes, I think you're more attractive now, and I believe you think the same thing, so why are you giving me shit about it?”
“Sorry.” I grimaced. “Maybe I feel guilty for thinking that.”
“Beauty is subjective and shallow; it only goes skin deep and yet it can be transformed by what lies beneath. Look at Sanasenne for example. She's stunning, but after hearing her speak so callously, even knowing that she wasn't trying to be malicious, her beauty faded for me.”
I almost asked him about the General; if his beauty had faded and how close they'd been in the past. What kind of trouble exactly they had gotten into. But whatever had happened between them, it was over now. Twenty years had passed without them contacting each other, so they couldn't be that close. And, frankly, it might be best if I never knew what they'd been to each other, be it close friends or more. I didn't need those images in my head when I was kissing Tae. And it was his business, not mine.
“Are you ready for dessert?” Tae asked.
“Does it include sprinkling gerris powder over your cock?” I whispered.
Tae burst out laughing. “Later, Valorian. We're going to dance, remember?”
“Oh!” I exclaimed. “I forgot about the dancing.”
“Why don't we dance first, then have dessert?” Tae suggested. “Hopefully, we'll work up an appetite.”
“Oh, I'm counting on it, Falcon Lord,” I declared as I got to my feet.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
I've danced before, but it had been with a woman and always of a more casual nature. Loud, joyous music, that sort of thing. Nothing like dancing at the Royal Palace with Taeven.
When we reached the dance floor, I stood at the edge of it and just gawked like the bumpkin I was. The couples were practically embracing as they glided across the polished marble floor to the romantic music. It was the only section of the room where the floor had been left bare, and when I saw how the faeries drew their feet across it, it became obvious why. This was not a clapping, stomping barn dance. Far from it. I don't know why I had expected anything but.
“Um, I don't know how to dance like this,” I whispered to Taeven.
“We can dance however we wish.” He held his hand out to me. “Just follow my lead.”
I took Taeven's hand, and he pulled me against his chest. With one hand on my waist and the other still holding mine but lifted, Tae exerted enough push and pull to guide me in the direction he wanted me to go. I followed his sliding foot movements, and soon, we were moving as elegantly as the rest of them.
Swept up in the music and the floating dance, I stared up at Tae and smiled. “This is amazing.”
“You're a natural,” he said approvingly. “Very graceful.”
“Thanks.” I glanced around. Then I whispered, “There are women dancing with women.”
“And men with men, like us,” he said matter-of-factly. “There is no limit on love in Varalorre.”
