Page 133 of The Dawn of the Cursed Queen

I leaned down, looking closer at some of the sweet cakes as I spoke. “Honestly, maybe you should. I heard at the tavern that there is a small brothel nearby.”

“Enough,” Samkiel said, cutting us off. “Both of you.”

I smiled and turned away from the cakes, weaving through the crowd. “Besides Orym’s lack of fun, there has been nothing here out of the ordinary.”

I passed an orange, fuzzy creature, my face scrunching in disgust as it spat at its glass cage. The crowd flowed through the gallery, laughing and drinking. Some moved in small groups, some clung to their dates, and others, like me, wandered alone.

“Unless she wants these small creatures, I don’t see what Nismera could be after.”

“That small creature you just described spits acid,” Orym said. “I think that’s right up her alley.”

“Aw,” I cooed and leaned closer. “But it’s so cute.”

I wiggled my finger at the glass, and a nictitating membrane flicked over the creature’s wide, dark eyes. The hair on its body lay down as it watched me, and when I turned away, heading for another side of the gallery, I swore its eyes followed me.

I sighed as I passed couples laughing together or looking at enchanted weapons and paintings. If you ignored the fact this was an auction for one of the realm’s worst living beings, they seemed to be having a great time. I missed that.

“I want to go on a date.”

I heard Orym sigh.

“What do you mean, akrai?” Samkiel asked.

“I mean, minus the life-or-death situation, everyone here seems to be having fun. We haven’t done that in forever. It’s been one extreme mission after the other.” I lifted the glass to my lips, spotting another creature in a glass container. This one was scaly. “Take me on a date.”

“Let’s get this done, and then you can have whatever you wish.”

My lips curved against my glass. “Okay.”

The hall I was following curved, and I found myself in a room empty except for a sword encased in glass. It stood in the middle of the room in a puddle of light. I tipped my head, able to feel the power like a soft hum in the air. I drew closer and leaned in a bit. The blade curved like a saber with a sharp tip, but its marbled, almost green color made it truly gorgeous. Tassels dripping with small jewels hung from the hilt.

“What a strange thing,” a feminine voice said.

My back straightened. Completely mesmerized by the blade, I hadn’t noticed anyone sneaking up on me. Either that or the woman before me had softer steps than she should.

“Excuse me?” I asked.

The woman smiled at the blade between us, tapping her short, dark nails on the case. “Something so rare and beautiful completely by itself.”

My head reared back as Samkiel spoke in my ear. “Oh, please.”

I raised my hand, turning the volume down a fraction, and smiled at the strange woman. She was a foot or so shorter than I. Her curly brown hair was clipped close to her head, with finger waves framing her face. A dark wing swooped from the edges of her smokey painted eyes, giving them a sensual curve, her full lips stained a matching black. Her dress fit her like a glove, the cutouts along the sides revealing a line of lean bronze muscle. Voices chattered in my ear, but I ignored them.

“Does that line usually work?” I asked with a flick of a brow as I sipped my drink.

Her smile was wide and vibrant as she stalked around the glass. Even her steps seemed premeditated. “You tell me.”

I offered her a soft smile in return. “I’m sorry, but I’m taken.”

“Damn right you are,” Samkiel grunted in my earpiece. I raised my hand, turning the volume down even more, disguising the movement by tucking the short hairs behind my ear.

Her eyes glanced at my hand. “I don’t see a mark or even a ring to signify that you are taken.”

More chatter erupted in my ear, and I smiled. “Do I need a mark?”

She looked me over, her perusal slow and heated. “In this world, yes. It would make you less desirable to others. Right now, you are nothing but a rare gem, begging to be claimed.”

Another grumble in my ear, and I cautiously rubbed at it.

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