Page 113 of Of Sword & Silver

Big surprise.

Instead, he grabs my wrist, pulling me behind him through the crowd of dancers and spectators. I laugh, a high-pitched, unnatural sound, and grab a flute of bubbling wine from an unexpecting servant. It goes down in one gulp, making my nostrils sting.

My feet follow behind the Sword as fast as they can, but I’m ninety percent sure he’d simply tow me along were I to fall.

Well, that’s not true. He’d probably sling me over his shoulder and slap my ass, doing his trademark grunt for good measure.

The thought—or maybe the alcohol—has me laughing again, and I set the empty wine glass down on a small console table as he hurries me through a door out of the ballroom.

The sound immediately dampens, the music still floating on the air, but hushed the further we drift from the main party.

The marble turns to stone under my soft-soled slippers, unlikely cold seeping through, turning my toes to ice.

There’s a faint hint of mist in the air too, and it makes my skin tingle, the hair standing up on the back of my neck.

The urge to turn around heightens, to leave and go back, to get away from whatever lies ahead as fast as possible.

“Warded,” I say.

The Sword nods. “Just like you thought.”

“How long would you say we have until someone shows up?”

Footsteps sound behind us, and his grip on my wrist tightens. “Not long at all, I’d wager.”

Quick as thought, he pivots, pulling me in between his huge body and the oak-paneled wall. His elbows land on either side of my face, blocking me from direct view.

“What are you doing in here?” a voice barks.

I watch the Sword’s expression apprehensively. My mouth’s gone dry, my heart now slamming into my ribs.

“None of your gods damned business,” the Sword responds.

Then his mouth’s on mine, soft and warm and full of need.

My body responds automatically and I moan, my mouth opening, letting him in.

He pulls away, watching me warily, waiting while I gather my power.

“You should leave us alone,” I tell the guard who’s followed us, imbuing the words with as much power as I can. “Right now. Don’t let anyone in here.”

I peek out from under the Sword’s arm, watching as my silver-tongued magic hits the guard full-force.

His face goes slack, his eyes wide and glassy.

I wince. I might have packed a bit too much into that order.

The guard stumbles back down the hall.

“How much time do you think that bought us?” the Sword asks me, his fingers now playing in my hair.

“Ten minutes. Maybe a bit less.” I hiss out a breath as his fingers slide up my neck, cradling the back of my head. “He’ll fight to keep them out.”

“How fast do you think I could make you come?” the Sword murmurs into my ear.

I get goosebumps for a completely different reason.

“What?” I choke out, his hot mouth on mine again in an instant.

---