Hours later, our table was covered in empty tankards as I leaned against Ivy’s shoulder. Terrence and Marius were once again sharing the story of how they became a couple, the entire table listening intently as if they hadn’t already heard several drunken renditions that night.
“And then Terrence came back to me with a bouquet of the exact herb I needed,” Marius slurred. “And I’d almost finished making the poultice before I noticed the letter tucked inside.” He ran his hand down Terrence’s broad chest as their lips met for a brief kiss.
“How delightful,” Raena cooed. Erik sat beside her, their thighs breaths away from touching.
At one point Erik had almost put his arm around her, but he’d frozen, retracting his hand when she’d noticed and scooted towards him. I couldn’t help but laugh at the sight, which earned me a glare from Erik. For a so-called fearlessknight, he was certainly nervous around her.
“We should dance!” The words spilled from my heavy lips. The room was spinning, and I wanted to join it. Besides, the dance floor had cleared a little now the moon was high above the tavern.
Raena shot up from her seat. “Yes! I’ve been dying to put these gowns to good use.” She fluffed the skirt of her muted apricot gown. “Come now, Erik.”
The blushing knight almost choked on his drink when she extended a hand to him.
With a chuckle, I rose from my seat and faced my other friend. “Ivy? Care to join us?”
“Oh, um…” She hiccuped, giggling. “I might just stay here and learn more about your lovely friend.” She grinned again at Theo, who seemed just as keen to ‘learn more’ about her.
A smile tugged at my lips. “Have fun,” I laughed before turning my focus to Marius and Terr. The words I wanted to say caught in my throat as I caught them both tangled up in a knot of roaming hands and kisses. It didn’t look like they’d be up for dancing any time soon.
With the room spinning around me, I downed the last of my drink, shrugged off my cloak, and rushed after Erik and Raena to the dance floor.
It didn’t take me long to find them. Raena had claimed a spot in the centre and was swaying sensually to the music, while Erik seemed to be torn between dancing along with her and shooting murderous scowls at anyone who dared to watch.
“Come dance with me,Nora,” Raena chimed, curling her fingers at me.
I didn’t hesitate. Picking up my rose-coloured skirts, I rushed towards her. The two of us spun in endless circles and swayed in time with the music. We sang along too, even though we didn’t know the words, but it didn’t seem to matter. Everyone was too busy having their own drunk fun to worry about anyone else.
After a dozen more songs, Erik’s confidence grew, and he took Raena’s hands to dance with her.
But I didn’t mind being alone. Not with the ale swirling my thoughts, the music in my ears, and the other dancers all around me. I spun and twirled and laughed. And I would’ve danced there all night had a rough hand not suddenly grasped my arm.
Instantly, I was stone cold sober.
“What?” I gasped, almost tripping as the stranger tugged me away from the dance floor. A dark green cloak concealed my captor’s face. When I tried to pry their hand off, they only tightened their grip.
“Stop that. Let me go.” I smacked against their arm. Panicking, I glanced back to see Raena and Erik locked in each other’s arms. They were completely engrossed in each other and unaware that a stranger had almost hauled me out of the tavern.
“I’ll scream,” I threatened. “Pull me another step and I’ll scream so loudly everyone in this building will—”
The stranger turned, and before I could protest, my back was pressed against the stone wall, the tall cloaked figure looming over me.
My breath caught. I really should’ve screamed. We were still in the tavern and I couldn’t see my captor’s face,but for some reason, I didn’t feel scared anymore. There was something familiar about the way he gripped my wrists. And that sweet smell…
My heart fluttered like a little bird.
“You better have a damn good reason for why you’re drunk and dancing alone in a tavern, forest princess.” His low warning tone made my stomach dip.
Lukas…
CHAPTER 2
“It was my idea,” I lied. My back was still pressed against the cold cobblestone wall of the tavern while Lukas loomed over me, his hands pinning my wrists to my sides. “I made Raena take me here. She didn’t want to leave the palace.”
Lukas pulled his hood back to reveal his handsome, tanned face and piercing grey eyes – so piercing they felt more like daggers as he glared down at me. He knew I was lying, but I didn’t care. If anyone should take the blame for tonight, it should be me.
“You need to tell me right now what in the realm you’re doing here,” he growled, drawing closer. “Because I havea small army waiting outside for my signal, and if anyone is forcing you to stay—”
“I just needed a distraction,” I cut him off, breathless.
