A dance in the crowd was harmless. The biggest risk was that I’d make a fool of myself, but we were leaving tomorrow. I nodded at Aella.
“You should visit us out west sometime,” she said in parting. At the edge of the crowd, the red-haired male I recognized as her husband held out a hand.
“An invitation from the winged queen,” the stranger mused.
Queen? Aella hadn’t mentioned anything like that. She’d been shockingly, well, normal. But I had no time to process as the male held out his hand in obvious invitation.
“I think it’s only fair to warn you I’m not well practiced,” I told the stranger.
“I’m not worried. You move like a natural dancer, and I’ve learned instinct counts for more than anything over the years, Samara.”
I stiffened slightly. “I’m afraid while you know my name, I don’t know yours.”
“Oh, I’m not offended,” he said, as if that been my concern. “It’s a poor host who doesn’t know his guests.”
The host. That meant . . . “Your Majesty,” I stammered.
“Pah, none of that. I imagine you’re used to the company of kings now.” He had the barest hint of a local accent, his words a slow drawl. “Call me Julian.”
He offered his hand once more. I had no choice but to slip my palm into his. Mercifully, the song was already halfway done, so I stood a chance at not completely humiliating myself as Julian drew me onto the dance floor. In the space of a few steps, he turned us to face each other, his other hand falling lightly on my hip while I set my free hand on his shoulder.
“It’s not every day one meets an ochia,” Julian said conversationally.
“A what?” I wasn’t familiar with the term.
“You don’t know?” His voice wasn’t mocking exactly, but there was a joke in his eyes I wasn’t getting. “One of the most venomous snakes in Eurobis. They’re found in the shifter kingdom, if you’re unlucky enough to be over there. Their biteis famous for being as blissful as it is deadly. Your dress is patterned after their scales.” He spun me around, and I worked to avoid tripping. “There are two ways to read the dress.”
“And what are those?” I couldn’t help but ask.
“The most obvious is it’s a warning. I imagine that was the expected interpretation. But for those who would risk death for a moment of bliss . . . well. They might take it as an invitation.”
His fangs flashed, and I stumbled, but Julian was a skilled enough dancer to cover that up, moving me in another twirl. My stomach twisted.
“Of course, one would have to be nigh insane to take an invitation from someone Raphael drinks from,” he continued.
I had no plans to admit that I’d offered my blood but Raphael hadn’t taken it, yet Julian read enough in my hesitation to cock his head and ask, “Hedoesdrink your blood, doesn’t he?”
“He has,” I said truthfully.
“Naturally. You were his Chosen,” he said easily enough that I relaxed a fraction.
“I was.” He hadn’t taken from me in that way, but I didn’t need to clarify.
“It’s odd, you know. I never knew Raphael to be able to drink without killing someone.” The notes slowed, silence roaring in my ears as I had no answer. “See, I knew you’d be a natural.”
“Thank you,” I murmured as the song ended. But Julian made no move to separate.
“It would be wrong of me to monopolize you, Your Majesty,” I said, trying to bow out.
“Julian,” he corrected.
“Julian,” I repeated. “I’m sure you have other guests to attend to.”
“Ah, but none so interesting. I suspect if I don’t take the time to meet you now, Raphael will ensure I never have the chance again. He’s rather possessive.” The last line he said in a stagewhisper, as if he were sharing some great secret. “Besides, it’s my birthday. I think that should entitle me to dance two songs in a row with any beautiful female I wish.”
“Birthday?” I was so surprised I didn’t protest as he began to move us through the steps of the next song. The slow tempo promised a more languid pace—easier to speak during without tripping over my feet, at least.
“So surprised?
