Turning at the familiar voice, I sought out those golden eyes the call belonged to. Kairen and Roan were seated at a table in the back corner, a man I did not recognize sitting with them.
And holyGoddess.
He was tall and deliciously handsome.
"Who isthat?" Rena practically purred, our eyes widening as we took him in. His chestnut hair, clearly longer than the average man, was pulled back into a tight bun at the crown of his head, messy strands falling into his face. His skin was suntanned and freckled from what appeared to be long hours spent in the desert heat, and his eyes were darker than the night sky, twinkling with clear amusement as we approached. This was a man that knew he was attractive.
"Aren't you into women?" Bran shot back, a grin lifting the corners of his lips as he nudged her. "Leave this one to me."
“That doesn't mean I can't appreciate a beautiful creature when I see one."
He stood as we reached the table, his eyes lingering upon Bran before Kairen pulled his attention away. "This is Gianni, he’ll be our guide through the desert. Gianni, this is Rena, Syra, and Bran, who you met for a few moments earlier."
I watched as he pressed a kiss to Rena’s knuckles, my cheeks flushing when he took my hand to do the same, his long lashes fluttering as he looked up at me through hooded eyes. His lips still brushed my skin as he spoke. "As beautiful as a desert oasis.”
I startled when Roan gripped the back of his collar, yanking Gianni away as he fought a flirtatious grin.
"That's enough flattery," he warned, his silver and green eyes flashing with something menacing. “You're here because you're being paid for a job, not to flirt your way into our companion’s beds."
Gianni laughed, a charming sound that transformed the rugged beauty he exuded into something playful and softer. I noted the way his eyes flitted to Bran at Roan's comment before they settled on me. It was clear he was amused by Roan, the way his attention towards me aggravated the Captain.
“How much flirtation do you think it would take to be granted the favor of entering one of your beds?"
My lips curved into a coy, mischievous smile as I played along. “Depends which of us you've set your eyes upon."
"Nine Hells," Roan muttered beneath his breath as he sat back into his chair and my smile grew wider.
Was the Kinslayerjealous?
Kairen glanced between us all with wary amusement before he gestured towards the counter. "Why don't I go and order for us before we discuss the finer details of the journey?"
With full bellies and a few tankards of firemead, a brew that had more of a spiced taste than its sweeter counterpart in the north, our group was free to enjoy the night. The conversations had gone fine, despite Roan's fierce glares when Gianni made flirtatious remarks. A fact that had me giggling to myself halfway through my third tankard, the alcohol flushing my cheeks and making my mind grow fuzzy. Had he not realized Gianni's true focus? He may have made remarks towards Rena and I, but his eyes always seemed to drift back to Bran. The playfulness that hedirected towards us eased from his eyes whenever they settled on him, almost softening upon my cousin.
"If you'll excuse me, I see a beautiful woman over there," Rena exclaimed, tipping back her tankard and downing the rest of her firemead before she sauntered off with a flirtatious smile.
Kairen had disappeared somewhere, somehow the only slightly sober one among the group, with a murmured claim that he had a meeting to attend.
I had never truly seen Roan a few tankards deep before as I watched him beneath lowered lashes. Red painted the pale skin of his cheeks, his gaze hazy as he took in the crowd. Even drunk he appeared to be on guard, his eyes roaming over the tavern, keeping watch.
Or perhaps he was searching for a companion?
The thought had my eyes narrowing, lips pursing before I knocked back another gulp of the firemead and stood. Roan's gaze fixed to me then, his brows bunching.
"Where are you going?"
I gave him a little smile, mischievous and wicked. "To dance, or are you going to chain me to my chair, Captain?"
Before he could respond, Gianni was standing, a grin lit his handsome face as he held out a hand. "May I have this dance, my desert o—"
He was cut off by Roan, a careless one-handed shove sending the man back into his seat with a stunned look upon his face.
I blinked once. Twice. A third time at the scarred hand held out to me before I looked up into those familiar eyes, my heart stuttering.
"Let's dance then, little menace.”
And suddenly my hand was in his, eyes trailing back to Bran and Gianni whose heads were close, lips moving as they watched Roan and I enter the crowd, sly smiles gracing their faces.
I turned back as Roan tugged me further into the crowd of dancing locals, hiding my view of Gianni and Bran. My body softened as his hands found my waist, my fingers instinctively interlocking behind his neck, our bodies easily finding the rhythm of the music that drifted over us. Head swaying slightly, my hair fell loose from where it had been tucked into the fabric of the hood resting around my neck.
