For a heartbeat, I forgot the music, the people I should be speaking with, the entire room. The court’s hum, the clink of goblets, even Gavelle’s sharp gaze all fell away. There was only her, stepping into my sight as though she had been conjured from every secret wish I’d never dared voice.
Power stirred in my chest in the same way it had when we’d worked with her magic earlier.
Gavelle rustled his feathers, his head angling in Isi’s direction. He released a single, knowing sound.
A flicker of Isi’s magic, unseen by anyone else, drifted across the edge of my senses. It was like fire teasing paper, both a promise and a warning.
I forced my feet to remain in place. Forced my hands to stay still when every bone in me wanted to cross the marble floor, take her hand, and show the court exactly who she belonged to.
The green fabric swayed around her legs as she descended the shallow steps, drawing glances from every person in the room. She didn’t seem to notice. Or maybe she did, and she simply didn’t care.
My pulse drummed harder, each beat loud enough to drown the music.
I had no trouble keeping an eye on her. Isi’s hair caught the chandelier’s light every time she moved.
And the others had noticed.
A pair of merchant lords turned their heads, their mouths half-hidden behind jeweled goblets. One of the younger envoys let his eyes linger far too long on the line of her back as she leaned to say something to Lexie.
Possessiveness coiled in my chest.
Pherin chirped before hopping off her shoulder. Her wingscaught the light as she glided above the crowd, landing beside Gavelle with a fluff of feathers.
The cinderhawk tilted his head at me in silent amusement.
Maddox stood near the food tables, his stance deceptively casual. But his gaze flicked toward Isi more than once. A predator watching prey. I didn’t like it. Not one bit.
“Keep an eye on him, please,” I said under my breath, sending the thought to Gavelle along our bond.
A pulse of assent came back, and I got the impression that if Maddox tried anything, Gavelle would pluck his eyes out.
Such a tempting offer.
I pushed off the column, and the crowd flowed away from me as I moved, a few whispering behind their hands.
Isi’s chin tipped upward as I reached her. I didn’t speak. Just extended my hand, my palm up, an invitation I prayed to the fates she’d accept.
She placed her hand in mine, and the contact sparked across our skin. Her magic slid along mine, making my pulse thud. I forced my expression to remain casual.
If she noticed, she didn’t show it.
“For you.” I held out the flower.
She took it from me and delicately sniffed the petals. “Thank you.”
There was so much I wanted to give her. Soon…
“Would you like to dance?” I asked.
“Of course, myking.” She dropped into a deep curtsy.
It was all I could do not to grin at the mockery in her tone. She wasn’t as far off as she believed.
One day, Iwouldbe her king.
“You kept me waiting,” I said as I led her toward the open floor.
“You deserved it.” Her sweet-sounding words came sharp enough to bite.
