I put the goblet to my lips. Before I could take a sip, a steel-blue shadow shot across the bedchamber, snatched the golden cup, and wrenched it from me without causing a spill. Before I could respond, another tendril of steel blue snuck up on me from behind, between my wings, yanking me from the bedcloud. I was tossed to the armoire, where a large, unnaturally powerful, obsidian wing yanked open the doors and snatched out my freshly pressed crimson gown with golden buttons, before shoving it into my chest with extreme force.
Iwhooshed, tumbling backwards, still held from behind by Tassarion’s tendrils. Souls the size of my palm giggled and danced, waiting to see what else would happen.
I faced Tassarion, trembling with fury.
“What in thestarswas that?” I yelled.
“Get. Rotting. Dressed!”
“I’m not some slave you can boss around whenever you feel like it, Tassarion!”
“I swear by the flames of the Six Hèls, if you don’t get dressed, I won’t be responsible for whatever happens if I lose control with you.”
“Is that supposed to be some kind of threat? Do you actually think I care?”
Tassarion’s face scrunched with rage. He was no longer leaning in the doorframes. Now he stood, feet planted, arms crossed, wings spread open, as if he were prepared to tackle me if he had to.
“Nahomie, for the love of the Infinite, the Opèr is going to start. You’re not hiding in these chambers any longer. Get. Rotting. Dressed.”
“No!”
“NOW.“
Tassarion’s roar quaked through the chamber, causing the walls, floors, and windows to rattle. The heat of arousal unfurled in my blood at his commanding presence. He was a challenge. A worthy opponent. One I would conquer. I grinned, batting my lashes at him sweetly.
“Fine, I’ll get dressed.” I turned around and headed for the vanity. “Get out,” I tossed over my shoulder without turning around.
To my surprise, without hesitation, in mere seconds, I heard a softclick. Given my privacy, I paused before the armoire, a hand pressed to my chest. My hearts were beating wild. Like I’d just experienced a rush. A thrill. It felt like madness, and I relished it. Craved more of it. Getting under Tassarion’s skin made me want todance.
“Nadege,” I whispered.
Within seconds, the young Nanmiess was floating through my walls, heading towards me.
“Roièssa is?—”
“Yes, yes. Nevermind all that. Help me dress for the Opèr with our Roi.”
Nadege beamed, nodding her head happily.
The young soul made quick work of my braids, freshening them and leaving them down in newly added golden beads, while helping me into the skin-hugging crimson gown. Once my sandals were on, I told her to sneak off without letting Tassarion see her. She grinned. This youngling liked secrets.
As Nadege slipped away, I took one last deep breath, snuck several swigs of my angelwine, then flew into the hall where Tassarion waited.
“I’m ready.”
Tassarion’s eyes lingered on my hair. My waist. My lips. After a sharp breath, he spun away wordless, and began flying down the hall.
“It’s past time you experienced our Opèr, mi Phantimèssa.”
Chapter 17
Nahomie
Tassarion Everthorn was everthe graceful, but thoughtful, king as he planted his feet, holding the doors to the Opèr chambers for me. We’d flown from the east wing, all the way to the southern wing of the manor, to reach this massive theatre room. I felt dizzy as I lowered to my feet, my wings drooping.
With poise, I sashayed through the doors, purposefully letting my scent linger as I slid past my wingmate. The small, ravenous snarl he unleashed below his breath was all I needed to know about how he felt, despite me drawing his ire on purpose earlier.
I paused, stunned at the opulence before me. The Opèr theatre seemed almost as large as the manor itself. There was a magic here I couldn’t explain. It was grand, with a vaulted ceiling so high I had to crane my neck to see its peak. When I looked below, the chamber seemed to have no end. There were endless floors covered in wall to wall seating. Plush, crimson cloudchairs made of cloudy billows floated above carpeted floors behind onyx balustrades.
