Wolfe began to speak.
“Tonight is one I’ll remember for the rest of my life…”
I barely heard the rest. I tried to focus on his words, but my attention snagged on his body instead — the breadth of his shoulders, the hard muscle outlined beneath the dark fabric of his jacket, the strength in those long, powerful legs.
I remembered him shirtless, and the image undid me.
I had to look away.
I searched for something steady. Something other than the male in front of me.
Across the hall, I found Arielle. She stood beside Bastian, the two of them caught in their own private world, oblivious to everything else.
The bond tightened again, and this time it had no patience.
I swayed, dizziness washing over me, my thoughts slipping loose.
Then the hall erupted in cheers.
The sound crashed over me, sudden and overwhelming. I blinked, disoriented, and realized Wolfe had finished.
Dreynthor approached once more, a goblet of dark wine cradled in both hands. The silver cup was etched with ancient Fae sigils, shimmering faintly in the torchlight.
“The Chalice of Bounded Souls,” he announced smoothly. “A tradition of the Fae.”
He extended it toward Wolfe.
Wolfe accepted the chalice without hesitation.
His gaze found mine, then he tipped the cup to his lips and drank.
He swallowed once, lowered the chalice, then he extended it to me.
I took it, my pulse hammering as I wrapped my fingers around the cool metal. The sigils etched along its surface hummed faintly beneath my touch.
I lifted it to my lips and drank too.
The garnet-colored wine was rich and warm as it slid down my throat and for a heartbeat, the world felt suspended.
The crowd cheered again.
The cheers lingered for a few heartbeats then the violins rose again.
Wolfe set the chalice aside and turned back to me.
“Dance with me,” he murmured, then he didn’t wait for my answer. His hand slid to my waist and he guided me onto the floor.
The music seem to follow us. Wolfe pressed his palm against my back, and I pressed my head to his chest, seeking closeness. The bond steadied for a moment, soothed by the sound of his heartbeat and the certainty of him.
“I got you,” he whispered in my ear. “One more hour, then we’re out of here.”
“One hour.” My voice came out breathy. I wasn’t going to last that long. I understood how a person could go crazy from this unyielding sensation. I was standing on the verge.
Wolfe moved easily with me. Our guests followed, joining us in our first dance.
It was another beautiful moment I always wanted to remember. With the bond quiet, I allowed myself the freedom to get lost Wolfe’s arms.
Then the song ended, applause followed and the court descended.
