Elsedora covered her mouth to prevent spitting out the pull she’d just taken from the bottle. Ryn crossed one ankle over his thigh and stifled a chuckle.
Prick.
“We both agreed upon conditions,” I snapped back.
He grunted a response and averted his gaze toward the darkening river.
Ryn’s thoughts pushed through.“So that’s why he’s been so moody. You’ve hurt his pride.”
I wanted to disagree with him, but that would draw attention.
Going back to Luz was the right thing to do. My people were faring well under Asterie and Fen’s rule, but that was meant to be temporary. With the threat of Caym rising, my Corridor needed to remain my priority.
“You two are welcome to visit me anytime,” I directed at El and Ryn, not acknowledging Krait’s piss-poor mood.
Krait remained cagey as he said, “So glad you have it all figured out then.”
It grew dark, and candlelight from the tents around us lit the surrounding area in a golden glow. Thunder cracked overhead, and the first patter of rain hit the top of the tent, sweetening the air with a loamy musk. As the drizzle of rain turned intoa downpour, the crowds of Source-wielders, immortals and mortals alike hooted in celebration.
Some lit colorful charms into the air that crackled in shades of red and orange above us. The river below became spotted with heavy droplets, and the tealight candles were extinguished in tiny spouts of steam as the rain persisted. Music from the bands grew louder, picking up the tempo, as though the rain fueled the need for song.
“Krait, you know the drill.” Elsedora stood and extended her hand to him. He reluctantly reached up and let her drag him out into the rain. El was barefoot, and Krait carefully maneuvered his boots around her feet as they danced through the muddying grasses.
“She typically gets his first and only dance before he slinks off to a corner to watch others celebrate,” Ryn explains.
“Why am I not surprised?”
Krait was a stiff dancer. While coordinated, he lacked all of the energy that Elsedora more than enthusiastically compensated for as she spun around him like a graceful sprite.
I’d drunk just enough of the shared bottle for frolicking in the pouring rain to sound fun. “Do you want to dance, Ryn?”
Ryn’s smile widened, and he wiggled his brows. “You’re sure? Are you trying to get me killed tonight?”
I laughed and nodded before dragging Ryn out into the slick grasses, feeling light and carefree for once. Thankfully, the leather slippers I’d chosen had a good grip on the soles. The heft of every worry within me washed away under the first warm downpour of the Sahlms’ summer. The rain weighed down my curls and slid over my cheeks.
The moment my body fell into rhythm with Ryn’s movement, his features began to distort...
Shit. No, no, no.
I’d forgotten this particular charm of those Source-wielders of the night sky. Suddenly, I felt guilty for having paraded Asterie around the Luz courtyard, making a party trick of revealing my nobles’ true desires. Under the moonlight’s trickery, Ryn’s features would change to mirror those of the person I most desired.
Ryn’s pale skin grew darker and his frame taller. I expected in the next moment for Emmerick to stare down at me.
But instead, gray irises met mine. Beneath the hard lines and stubble, he was almost unrecognizable without his brooding expression.
“Who is it that you see, Sybilla?” Ryn’s tone was entirely too mischievous. He’d set me up.
He was manipulating this enchantment. He had to be.
I swallowed hard. “Darvan-dick.” My voice was barely above a whisper. The people surrounding us became interested and crowded around to watch. “How are you doing that?”
I could hear the internal whispers surrounding us.
“It’s true—she loves our King.”
“When will they marry?”
“Our realm will have a little heir in no time.”
