Was Esper still alive?
She clutched the glass of wine with a scowl, trying her best to ignore Taryn across the ballroom speaking with the other ball goers. He had returned to the guest house a few hours after their fight on the beach, and when the morning came, he was nowhere to be found in the guest house. Airess did everything in her power not to care.
As if feeling her stare, Taryn met her eyes. He looked devastatingly handsome tonight. Taryn was dressed in a silk Runean suit, his white shirt effortlessly loose on his muscled figure. The sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, showcasing his one red inked sleeve. He excused himself from conversation and crossed the room towards her. Airess stood up straight, eager to talk to him. Eager to resolve things.
“May I have this dance?” Roz asked as he stepped into view, cutting Taryn off. Roz asked it in her tongue, always the gentleman.
Airess blinked. “You may,” she replied with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. She glanced over at Taryn, whose brows hardened at Roz's outstretched arm. Taryn’s jaw ticked, but he didn’t intervene.
Roz whisked her into the crowd, the pair drawing hesitant stares that quickly looked away. Airess felt Taryn’s stare without having to look over at him.
Roz gently placed a hand on Airess’ waist. “There’s something I wanted to discuss with you.” Roz said lightly as they shifted on their feet. He took her hand in his as they began to dance.
“Times are changing, and quickly. Soon the world will change forever. If we act now, we can assure Rune’s survival.”
Airess’ distant gaze snapped to Roz’s attention, noticing the eagerness in his blue eyes as he looked at her.
“Act? Rune is at peace.”
Roz’s mouth tightened in restraint, hesitating for a beat as if he were calculating his words. “Whenthe prophecy comes to fruition, we will be dealing with a new world that hasn’t been seen in a thousand years. The Dawn is coming. We need to prepare.”
Airess gave him a skeptical look. He was beginning to sound like Ismene, always speaking in riddles, in secret hidden messages.
“Where are you going with this?” Airess asked hesitantly.
Roz closed his eyes and took a steady breath. “We need allies if we are to stand against Luciena, if they dare cross us. My mother has… different ideologies of Rune’s success. But I disagree with her, there is another way. With two Godlings ruling, we would be unstoppable.”
Airess dropped his hand, stopping their dance in the middle of the floor. “What are you say–”
“I’m asking if you would be my queen, mywife. Rule over Rune with me and all its lands. Together, our power would raze anyone who dares to harm us.” Roz cleared his throat. “It is prophesied, is it not, that two beings will unite to bring forth a new dawn? It was clear to me from the moment I saw you, that we were destined to bring the prophecy to fruition.”
Oh.
Oh, Gods.
Airess tensed. She realized Roz believed thattheywere The Prophesied. Of course he had no knowledge that Taryn was her Mate–that Airess and Taryn were the ones who have been Fated.
She blinked in surprise and cleared her throat to respond. “You’re asking me to marryyou?” She couldn’t believe his words. He was definitely coming on strong, and all those sidelong looks he had been giving her started to make sense.
“I know it seems a bit sudden, but unions of this kind are common with people in power. It’s not about lust, or love, but we can change the world with our power,” Roz grabbed the hand she dropped, “Say yes. Rule by my side.”
It certainly was ironic, as different and kind Rune claimed to be, they craved power into their line all the same.
Taryn’s bitter laugh cut through the shock from her right. Airess hadn’t even realized he had approached them, from the whirring thoughts in her brain. Taryn’s cheeks were slightly flushed, and his lips were wine stained. His hair was disheveled, as if he couldn’t stop running his fingers through it. Taryn’s stare sliced daggers in Roz’s direction as he sipped his glass, a smug expression overtaking his features.
“I’ll give you one second to get your handoffher before I cut you down.” Taryn snapped, looking between her and Roz, his jaw tense.
Taryn stepped closer to Roz, his silver eyes igniting, glowing brighter than usual.
Fuck.
Airess stepped forward and grabbed Taryn’s arm, breaking his attention away from Roz. She knew he had a bold side, but did he seriously threaten the king?
Airess looked between him and Roz. She stepped into the middle, to put a physical barrier between them, forRoz’ssake.
“Taryn, back off.” She hissed, angry at his jealous display. Who was he, denying her and then getting jealous at the next turn?
Roz’s laugh was rich and deep behind her, his face amused. He was always amused, and now she saw he could be smug, as well. She needed to get Taryn out of here. The two would be a recipe for disaster.
