“You’ve got something against Windriders?” Ronin asked.
“I think the better question is, why dotheyhave something against the rest of us? Just because their elemental magic never faded, does that give them the right to preside over every single territory?” Nero leaned in closer, lowering his voice. “My family are originally from a town on the coast of Akti, west of the Icthians. If my grandparents are to be believed, our ancestors wielded water magic for millennia before the Erabis family consolidated their Imperial power and changed the fabric of Ethyrios. Not saying they were the cause of it fading, but the timing seems rather convenient, don’t you think? How have all the other elemental magics disappeared except for wind?” He glanced out at the party. “I wonder how many other guests here would share a similar story.”
Ronin thought back to what he’d seen at the Crystal, the small seed of fire magic that Mattias had possessed.
Nero sipped his wine. “I, for one, cannot wait to see what Otto has in store for us.”
“What was it the staff said to us when we arrived?” Mireille placed her hand at Ronin’s hip and his wolf shivered. “They hoped we would have anempoweringstay.” She turned back to Nero. “You think he’s discovered something about the lost elemental magics?”
“If anyone could, I have a feeling it would be Otto. I suppose we will see, won’t we?” Nero raised his glass, dragging his tongue along the rim in a way that felt ominous. “How did you two meet?”
She looked up at Ronin and he said, “It’s actually a funny story. Would you like to tell it, love?”
He felt her pulse flutter when he called her love, relishing the effect he had on her. Even if she was too High-Gods-damned stubborn to admit it.
“But you tell it so much better than I do.”
Ronin pinched her ass, a chastisement, and she buried her yelp in her wine glass.
“Mireille was my dance teacher.”
Nero’s gaze bounced between them. “Really? You don’t look like the type.”
“Dance is a useful skill for a fighter,” Ronin said. “It’s important to be in tune with your body, to know how to control it precisely. Helps you stay light on your feet, too.”
Mireille looked genuinely impressed by his quick lie. And it wasn’t a complete lie. Hehadtaken dance lessons about a century ago for that very reason.
“Yes,” Ronin continued, tucking Mireille under his arm, “she was so impressed by my skills on the dance floor that she practically begged me to take her out dancing for real.”
“Come now,” Mireille piped up with that mischievous grin that did funny things to his insides. “Youbeggedmeto go out with you.” She winked at Nero. “He liked the way I looked in the leotards.”
“I have no doubt.” Nero’s eyes traveled down Mireille’s body. “Perhaps you could give me lessons some time as well.”
Who is this fool making eyes at our female?Ronin’s wolf growled.
She’s not our?—
Eat him.
Wrath of Vestan, eating people is not the only way to solve a conflict.
But it’s the most enjoyable way. Come now, fillet this imbecile. Save me his heart.
Trying not to laugh at his wolf, Ronin smiled, really more a baring of teeth than anything else. “I’m afraid her teaching days are over. I’m her only student at the moment.”
Nero sniffed. “Pity. Perhaps a demonstration is in order?” He gestured to the dance floor, where a group of Fae were gyratingto music far more primal than the lyrical melodies that had opened the party.
Ronin imagined taking Mireille’s hand and leading her into the heaving mass of bodies. How she might grind that tortuously perfect ass against his cock in time with the beat. How she might reach up and grab the back of his neck. How he might sink his teeth into her bare shoulder and run his hands all over?—
“Maybe another night,” Mireille answered. “If you’ll excuse us, Nero. Pleasure to meet you.”
She pulled Ronin further down the pathway as he fought to control his pounding heartbeat.
“The other guests are plenty distracted now,” she whispered into his ear, completely oblivious to where his thoughts had strayed. “Let’s go poke around Otto’s wing while we have the chance.”
He downed the rest of his Delirium, an attempt to dull the desire throbbing through his body, and nodded.
“Mmmm.” He ran a thumb across her exposed collarbone. “You wanna sneak around with me?”
