He slowed our speed, the hand on my back now toying with strands of my free-flowing hair. He lowered his lips to my ear. “Are you okay?”
I shivered. My dress trailed behind me, gossamer and chiffon ghosting the polished floor. “I’m fine. I thought Oster could be a dreki with his aura. But, he was the other beast, like the ones that attacked us in the fields.”
Dom stilled. A candelabra near us melted.
I tugged on our clasped hands, spurring him back into motion. “Tame your metal, General. Oster is busy hallucinating on the floor of the women’s bathroom. And I might have put a ring of burning ice-fire around his…” I waggled my eyebrows and pointedly glanced in the body part’s direction.
Dom stuttered before throwing his head back in unbridled laughter. His delight at my disclosure coaxed a true smile from my own lips. The sound of his laugh washed over me like the relaxing warmth of the sun. We resumed our fluid steps and I tentatively rested my cheek on his chest.
“I’m sorry, I should have armed you.” The hand at my back tugged me closer. He spoke into my hair, “I’ll kill him.”
“You will not.” I lifted my face to his, my tone firm. “It’s taken care of, but we shouldn’t stay much longer.” He nodded in reluctant agreement, the song nearing its end. His hand gently held my own despite the tension and rage tensing his broad shoulders.
“We can bid our farewells to the Queen and head back.” He lifted our clasped hands, extending me into a twirl one final time. My hair and the layers of my skirts both lifted as alaugh bubbled out of me. Dom drew me against his body as I completed the spin.
My back lay flush against his chest as his fingers trailed down my upraised arm. The deep V-shaped neckline did little to hide my breathlessness, my chest heaving in the confines of the lacy bodice.
I peered up and back, meeting his solemn stare. The lingering melody of the song curled through the air in lazy tendrils. The glowing topaz walls became a dreamscape background flaring the same hue as Dom’s eyes. I could hear the distant roar of the waterfall that emptied over the ridge into the sleeping arms of the city beneath us. A thrill of danger and a thread of peace wove around me.
The music ended and the thrall of our connection diminished into the hum of surrounding chatter. He kept my arm tucked tightly in his own, and we bowed and curtsied our good-byes, respectfully making our exit from the queen.
The coolness of the night air tamed the heat surging through me. Dom assisted me into the carriage, lifting my gown enough so my shoes didn’t snag.
Alone in the carriage, I released a full breath. Dom’s large body stole the majority of the space, as if he commanded both our transport and the air I breathed. He waited patiently for me to gather my thoughts, studying me.
“I can see there’s more. Tell me.”
“Oster shape-shifted in the bathroom, not completely into one of those creatures, but enough to identify him as one. He planned to take me back to Nolan. In the dining room, I could see everyone’s aura but his. He was able to suppress it somehow. Until I caught him off guard, then it flared.”
“What does that mean?” Dom leaned forward. I could make out the dark fringe of his eyelashes, even in the shadowed confines of our coach.
“It flared black. Just like the drekis. Queen Avery said she didn’t want to align any more with Nolan than she already had. I wonder why she’s allowing it all.” I turned, locking eyes with Dom; “He must have had an illusion spell or something. It would make sense if he was under one, it’s the only thing that could have also hidden his aura.”
Dom leaned back, contemplating. He drummed his fingers on his knees. “You’re not safe,” he blurted.
“I’ve never been safe.” The metal vines in the carriage writhed, morphing into jagged edges and menacing points.
“I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you protected. And I’ll keep my end of the bargain and get you out of the realms.” His rings glowed in the darkened carriage, highlighting the strain of his clenched fists.
I didn’t need his protection. But some small part of me lapped up the vision of the towering force in front of me and the threat he posed at the suggestion of my suffering. Even if I knew deep down it related directly to our agreement and his need of my magic. We were both using the other. I could stop pretending we weren’t when the night was over.
“You’re just saying that because I’m wearing this amazing gown,” I chirped. My half-hearted smile barely cut through the intensity of his stare.
The scowling face of the formidable general stared back at me. “I am not a man of idle words. I would never speak lightly of your well-being,” he replied.
Our carriage came to a stop. The rebel city of Aphellion appeared in our loosely curtained windows. “Get some rest. We’ll leave for the Nereid Realm tomorrow,” he commanded.
We exited the carriage, a slightly softer air having settled between us.
I watched as he receded into the darkness.
Chapter Twenty-Five
THE GENERAL
The brisk wind from the mountains did little to cool my agitation. I shouldn’t have allowed myself to get that close to her. Her scent overrode my better judgment. Some mix between those cherry candies she’s always eating and fresh snow. And I hate snow.Foka.
I needed to stay the course. My people depended on me, and despite the wider ignorance to the veil that spread across all realms, even the people of Haluma would soon cry out for help. They just hadn’t realized that their king was no savior.
