The pale blue tunic clung to her like it had been sewn by a lover’s hands, soft enough to mold her every curve. The fabric caught the light and threw it back in the rippling waves of water cascading down falls. It perfectly matched the color of her eyes, which was why I’d had it made for her.
The pants I’d given her hugged her legs, making her look both powerful and graceful. And the blade rode her hip like a threat. She’d literally stabbed me, and I’d armed her so she could try again.
And I couldn’t stop thinking about how she’d looked after her bath…
She paused with her friends, them grinning as they peered around, her looking slightly out of place. A lily among a bed of simple daisies.
Our gazes met, and I could not drag mine away. She did itforme, jerking her head to the side, speaking to Lexie as if I wasn’t staring at her from across the room like a fool.
Bryson pointed to a table, and they followed him, Isi walking with the confidence of someone who’d learned to survive by never showing weakness or fear. A few others in the hall tracked her movement, though she seemed oblivious to their attention. Or maybe she didn’t care.
I wanted to rise and stride straight to her. Then I’d drop to my knees in front of her and press my forehead to her belly, feel her fingers tangle in my hair. Would she be gentle or would she tug hard enough to capture all my attention? I’d drag her down to my level so I could hold her face and taste her mouth, taste the defiance that made my blood pound through my veins.
I could picture it so clearly it made my chest ache. Her surprise melting into something darker, hungrier. Her hands latching onto my tunic before gliding to my nape. Her body softening for me alone. This woman continuously fought me, all fire and fury, and I wanted to devour every spark.
I touched my abdomen, tracing the spot where her blade had sunk deeply. I’d healed it myself the moment her blade slid from my flesh, but now I wished I’d left a scar. Then I could proudly proclaim that she’d marked me.
Bryson rounded my end of a half-full table, waving for the others to take seats around him. Isi passed me without looking my way.
Lexie glowed with pride as she strutted over to take her place, Derren claiming the seat beside her.Shewore the boots I’d given Isi.
Isi, however, wore old, scuffed shoes. I stared, stunned by the sheer audacity this woman wielded like a blade. I’d bet anything the shoes belonged to Lexie. This was a small rebellion on her part, a spark flung at my feet to see if I’d catch fire. I didn’t want to stamp that spark out. I wanted to watch it burn while shaping the flame with my hands.
My low laugh burst from me, startling those sitting nearby. Kira grinned, her wine goblet freezing halfway to her mouth, while others paused in their meals to stare with expressions ranging from curiosity to outright shock. As if I hadn’t laughed in ages.
And maybe I hadn’t.
“What’s funny?” Kira asked, her brows arching.
“Nothing.” Just a tiny war I’d already lost.
I watched Isi slide in to sit next to Kerralyn, Bryson seated on her other side.
Kira’s eyes followed my gaze, and her face transformed when she realized who’d captured my attention. Something flickered behind her lashes, a tightening, a shift. She leaned closer not only to taunt me, but to reclaim some part of me she feared was slipping from her grasp.
I’d never been hers. I never would be.
Her voice dropped to that honeyed purr she used when she wanted to sink her fangs in deep. “Did you notice her minxpip still hasn’t returned? Makes you wonder what that means.”
I didn’t respond.
She went on, her eyes narrowing like blades. “Such a pitiful creature. Both of them, actually. I expected to see it cowering on her shoulder.”
I kept my expression neutral and did not reply. My breath solidified in my chest, however. I’d noticed. Every newly honed warrior had their small companion perched on their shoulder, nibbling from their plates, or curled in their lap.
Except Isi.
“The girl and her missing pet,” Kira said, each word precisely chosen, precisely aimed to hit hardest. “Such a sad tale. Maybe it realized it made a mistake. I’m sure it’s ashamed to be seen with someone so…” She paused, pretending to search for the right word. “Inadequate.”
“Shut the fuck up.” The words gouged into the space between us.
She flinched, her perfectly composed mask cracking, revealing the wound I’d dealt underneath.
Her death adder lifted its triangular head and snapped toward my hand where it rested on the table.
I jerked my hand out of the way. “Control your pest, or I’ll do it for you.” Fury churned through me, blasting outward.
Gavelle felt it too. He plunged off the high back of my throne, talons extended, snatching the serpent up and lifting her all the way to the ceiling. His talons let loose, and the death adder dropped toward the cold stone floor, twisting midair.
