I take a long swig of my drink and glance at Gaethri in the far corner of the massive room. He’s still seated, staring out the dark window.
“Tragic, what happened to him,” Daegan says.
I glance over and find him looking in the same direction as I was.
“Yep.”
“Losing your loved ones like that can’t be easy. It would almost be easier to never love at all.”
I ponder his words for a moment, watching the room. “I don’t think so. I’d rather experience it and love fully, with my whole heart, even if it’s not forever. You’re never guaranteed forever, anyway. We all have an expiration date.”
I feel his eyes on me, so I turn my head. Our eyes connect for a moment before he looks away. I track his gaze and find him watching the other three dancing with a strange look in his eyes.
“Maybe you’re right,” he muses.
“Duh. I’m always right.”
He side-eyes me with a look of mock impatience, but then his mouth pulls at the corner anyway. “Whatever you say, Elysande.”
Someone bumps into my arm, and I glance at them for only a moment because the sound of Daegan’s voice pulls me away.
He’s shooting daggers at them with his eyes. “Excuse you,” he says coldly, standing closer to me.
The male mumbles an apology before scurrying off into the crowded room with a drink in hand.
“Why so rude? It was an accident.”
He shoots me a glare before glancing away, not even deigning to respond.
“You’re not very good with other people…”
“No.”
“But you opened up to me…”
“Because I wanted to. I don’t care about other people. I’ve had one focus for years and I don’t have the time or patience for anything more. Chatter, pleasantries, forming relationships… I don’t care.”
“That’s why you have your player reputation?” I tease.
He rolls his eyes. “I don’t… I just haven’t had time for anything more than casual… fucking.” He glances at my midsection before looking away. “It was always mutual,” he finishes with a murmur.
I cross my legs together, suddenly feeling heat between them from the way he looked at me. “But you opened up to me…”
His lips curl into a curious grin before he looks away again, shaking his head to himself.
Confused by his reaction, I also look back out at the crowd, away from him. A slower song comes on, and I giggle as I watch Raef try to pull Meela in closer for a more intimate dance, only for her to push him away and pull Rhydra in for a dance instead. They both laugh while Raef stands to the side smiling with his hands on his hips.
I chug the rest of my drink and hop off the stool, feeling good, and feeling like I just want to have fun. Forget what our fates hold for us tomorrow.
“Dance with me?” I ask Daegan, holding out my hand.
He looks me up and down, unmoving, as his eyes trace the details of my dress. “Do I have to?”
“Yes.”
He makes a face, then, to my utter surprise, takes my hand and follows. I guide him out to the floor, stopping at a spot not too far from Meela and Rhydra. And a grinning Raef.
Daegan readjusts his grip on my hand, then pushes my hip and spins me into him. My back is pressed up against him suddenly, and he places his other hand on my hips, pulling me into him even closer. “You asked for it,” he whispers in my ear.
