Page 42 of Feathers and Thorns

Soren laughed and made her way down the stairs. Enara had already dragged Baz into the crowd before Soren had reached the sweets’ table. She popped a mini chocolate ball into her mouth and relished in the mix of sweet and bitter that played on her tongue. She tasted a few more delicacies that could not easily be found in Draestel, including a tart made from elderfruit, before washing it all down with a full glass of bliss. Soren thought the name odd, but it looked delicious. The liquid was like molten silver but went down like cool water and tasted of vodka and sweet cream. She reached for a second glass, but a voice to her left stilled her hand.

“I wouldn’t,” a man in a badger mask said. “Not unless you want to end up in bed with someone before the party really starts.”

“Excuse me?” Soren asked. She would have responded with a, “What the fuck did you just say?” but she was the guest of the king.

“Sorry,” he said, yelling over the music. “I just mean that it is an aphrodisiac. It is weak, but if you inhale it like you did the last glass, your actions may not be entirely your own.”

“Oh, thanks, I guess,” she replied, putting the empty goblet down and opting for a glass of crisp cider instead.

He then surprised her by asking, “Do you want to dance?”

She took a moment to decide if it was a good idea or not. He seems nice enough. I mean, if he was trying to get into my pants, he would have poured me another glass.

Seeming to make up her mind, she finished the cider in one breath and said, “Sure, if you think you can handle this.”

He chuckled, gray eyes glinting. Then he held out his arm and led her into the chaos.

* * *

Soren had to admit that Braxten was a good dancer, and an appropriate one at that. He only let his hands roam when Soren took the lead and did not press their bodies together until she made a joke about him dancing as though he was back in primary school.

He was friendly, and happiness radiated from behind his mask. He had light brown curls that bobbed up and down with the music, and his presence put Soren at ease. He was muscular, as were all the men from Braexmirth, she had noticed, but on the smaller side. He was still larger in comparison to her small frame but a few inches shorter than most of his brethren.

She could feel the effects of the silver drink kicking in, and her cheeks flushed. Thanks to Brax, as he preferred to be called, she was a comfortable level of aroused. Her skin tingled, and the closeness of his body to hers gave her a faint buzz, but she was not overwhelmed with the need to jump him in one of the side caverns.

As one song flowed into the next and their bodies melded together, he nuzzled her neck affectionately as they swayed. Soren let herself enjoy the rapture of it all.

She had seen Enara and Baz a few times throughout the night. They had all even danced together at one point, but Enara had not gotten the warning about the bliss, so they had “retired early.” Baz had been all smiles.

Braxten paused their dancing and left to get her some water.

This was exactly what I needed. She danced by herself, sharing smiles with the other attendees who were all grinding and gyrating around her. It was animalistic and exciting, and you could cut the sexual tension in the air with a knife.

The stars peeked out from the large hole in the roof of the cave, which also served as an escape for the smoke rising from the excessive amounts of torches lining the space. Despite the amount of bodies, the air was cool, and it felt heavenly against her oversensitive skin.

She smiled as an arm snaked around her and Braxten pressed his body back against hers. His breath tickled her ear, and a faint smell of pine needles wafted into her nose, reminding her of …

No. It can’t be.

And then his voice was speaking ever so softly into her ear, a voice like velvet drifting over her, enveloping her like cold flames, and her body stiffened.

“Hello, little bird.”

Two Days Prior - Edras Mora

Jai had been actively ignoring Princess Adaryn’s upcoming betrothal, but upon seeing her arm wrapped in her husband-to-be’s, he could ignore it no longer. His blood boiled, and his heartbeat pounded in his ears so loudly that he had not heard them announce their presence when they had crossed paths in the hallway.

“Jai?” Adaryn’s voice cut through the haze, her big brown eyes large with concern.

“My Lady,” Everett replied, bowing low. “We were just on our way to consult with the king about the horses for the wedding entrance.”

Jai couldn’t be more thankful that his friend was quick on his feet.

“Yes, we just have a few final details to go over with him,” Jai added, mirroring Everett’s bow.

For some odd reason, Adaryn burst out laughing, and neither Jai nor Everett could figure out why. They lifted their brows at each other, waiting for her to compose herself.

“Oh, you two, you can stop with the disingenuous formalities,” she said, still giggling.

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