Page 47 of An Empress of Air & Chaos

“Don’t worry, I got you,” he mouthed with a grin so sinful it should be illegal.

Her stomach flipped.

As she walked away from the bar, Gideon sat with his arms on the table, his shirt wrapping around his biceps neatly and his chin resting on his hands. Emara had witnessed Gideon swing swords and shoot her ex with arrows in total ease—but this environment made him look uncomfortable.

Cally sat next to him mouthing, “I love it here” as she rolled her body to the beat.

Emara slid into the chair beside Cally and mouthed, “I need to tell you something.” A shockwave hit her heart as she thought about what had happened in her home. If she was honest, she had somehow managed to stuff the incident with Taymir into a dark hole to forget about. Until now…

She looked at Cally who finally had that twinkle back in her eye and closed her lips. “In fact, I will tell you about it later, I don’t want to ruin your night.”

“Don’t be silly, Emara. You won’t ruin my night. What happened?”

It wasn’t exactly Cally’s night she wanted to ruin talking about it. Conveniently, Torin returned from the bar with a tray full of liquid that distracted her.

“Anything clear, mix it. Anything coloured, put something clear in it. Anything that glitters and looks like it could be unicorn’s blood—shoot it,” Torin instructed.

Cally lifted one of the shots that sparkled in the lights and put the glass to her lips. She flung her head back and downed the liquid. She raised the glass into the air and slammed it onto the table. Her eyes flickered over the lipstick mark that was smudged onto Torin’s cheek and her body tensed as her hand found another glass. She downed that one too.

Great! He was only in the tavern for two seconds and he already had the outline of another girl’s mouth on his face. Emara picked up a shot, braced the glass against her lips, and sank the liquid. In fact, she took a drink for every crazy thing she tried to process.

Witches. Demons. Supremes. Houses. Covens. Hunters. Fae. Shifters. Taymir Solden.

Emara picked up a crystal glass that was lined at the bottom with clear liquid. The smell of the liquor flowed up her nostrils, making her eyes water slightly. She sank that glass, too. The alcohol burned as it flushed down her throat and lay heavy in her stomach. She felt a heat wash over her. The beat of the music carried the warmth from her toes, spreading it through her calves, pushing its way up through her chest and into her head, making her feel giddy and soft.

Cally’s eyes studied her and a smile broke out over her mouth. Emara knew by the look on Cally’s face that she had the same feeling.

Oh, Gods, the alcohol was clearly stronger in the markets. Much stronger…

“Wanna dance?” Cally was already on her feet, her tight dress hugging her perfect curves as she pulled it down a little. Her hair was messy but with sheer, effortless style and her hands were above her head as she pranced along to the floor to meet the crowd which swallowed her whole.

“I am heading to the dancefloor,” Emara mouthed to Gideon. She didn’t want her best friend out there alone. “Wanna come?”

Gideon shook his head in protest and sipped his drink. “I don’t dance.”

“Are you sure? It could be fun…”

“I will sit this one out,” he smiled. “Go, dance. Have fun.”

With a disheartened smile that she tried to hide, Emara lifted her glass and took off in search of Cally. She pushed her way through the crowd as the bass of the song thrummed through her body, her bones vibrating. Cally’s blonde hair swung as she spun and pushed her hands into the air.

“Let go,” she shouted to Emara, flinging her hands out to reach her. “Just let go.”

Emara laughed and took another swig of her drink, reaching out to join their hands together. She merged with Cally as the buzz of the alcohol married the song and the lights on the grinding bodies of the floor. She couldn’t help but move her body. It felt good to let go. Let go of everything that was tight in her heart…

Not to be outdone by Torin’s kissing affair with the barmaid or whoever it was, Cally pulled a guy from the crowd beside her and spoke into his ear. They both laughed and carried on dancing together, her body getting closer to his.

He was beautiful, blonde, and tall.

Emara closed her eyes and lost herself in the sway of the crowd, letting her body feel the beat, knowing she was not alone. Here, she was not in her mind. She let the tension from her body disappear into the crowd as she danced, sipping on her drink, not thoughtful about anything. Her hips swayed, allowing her spine to move like a snake, feeling the momentum of the music taking her higher…

She felt a hand on her waist, and she smiled, turning to step into Gideon’s arms. He had followed her.

Turquoise blue eyes met her stare instead of pine green. She pulled back, realising that it was Torin behind her, his hand still on her waist. If she had been sober, red heat would have flushed her face in embarrassment, but she stood still.

“You don’t have to stop dancing.” Torin towered over her, making her feel tiny.

“Where’s Gideon?” she demanded.

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