The King of Shifters tensed, his hands curling into fists.
The musicians played the warning chords to the dance “Deliverance”—the most wicked romp known to the five kingdoms. It was a sexual love story told through tantalizing movement and erotic music. Father had barely allowed my instructor to teach me the Fae damned dance years ago. It was indecent to the extreme!
A dance King Athon and Ishould not be doing together.
My nostrils flared as I scowled hard at my soul mate.
Wonderful fucking idea, asshole.
His gaze turned stony, staring pointedly.
What? I didn’t cause this… Oh!
Fairy, I was the only one who could fix this politely.
I tilted to the side and searched behind me for King Traevon. He could give the nod that I could leave the dance floor since I was the heir, still reigned by my king. Father had to be somewhere nearby. I scanned each of the guests as swiftly as I could, the beat beginning to get faster—almost dance time.
The King of Elves was nowhere to be found…
My attention halted on Uncle Marlon. He could do it!
His head of silver, lengthy braids tipped in my direction as if he could feel someone staring at him, his gaze honing in on my face.
I widened my eyes and cocked my head slightly—covert panic shining in my eyes.Give the Fae damned order!
Uncle Marlon’s eyebrows pinched together, as he halted his conversation with a guard, and his violet eyes journeyed over my shoulder to see what the issue was. He gradually shut his mouth and blinked oh, so slowly, understanding the situation. He rubbed at his chin softly, his attention traveling back to me, holding my gaze solidly, not looking away.
After a moment, Uncle Marlon subtly shook his head.
I froze in place.Oh Fae.
He deemed it too problematic for the party.
A long, shuddering breath flew out of my mouth.
I sluggishly turned back around with stiff shoulders, my eyes now hidden under my lashes. This wasn’t good. Not good at all.
King Athon glared wrath over my head at my uncle.
There was no way to stop this civilly now.
His solid black gaze resentfully dropped to mine.
We had to do this. We both knew it.
Absently, I wondered if he could even do this dance.
It was gentle…and nothing he did sensually was gentle.
As the crescendo arrived for the first move, the shifter king and I ignored the shocked hush that fell over theentire fucking crowdwhen they noticed us. We paid no mind to the flushed, excited dancers to our far left and right—at least they were eager for this dance. We focused on each other, “Deliverance,” a complex and intricate dance, two souls meeting and moving as one in harmony.
I lifted my hands high as he lowered his.
Clap, clap.
And I was twirling to my right. He looped to his left.
Twirling and twirling. My skirt fluttered out around me.
