Page 48 of An Empress of Air & Chaos

“Over there talking to Breighly.” Torin pointed to the stunning blonde barmaid and a twang of jealousy spiked through her chest as she watched them. He laughed at the barmaid with a familiarity. Their bodies were close. Too close.

“Dance with me,” he said.Dominance lined Torin’s voice, bringing her attention back to him.

He’s serious, she realised as she looked at his face. Her heart hammered into her ribcage. She punched the image of Gideon and the barmaid to the back of her mind. Torin removed the glass from her hand, brushing her skin as he took it, and led her into the heart of the dance floor.

He gripped onto her hand, soft but firm, and she felt the calluses on his fingers graze over hers. He spun her out and around, raising one arm into the air and moving to the beat. For a moment she was going to refuse him, but she heard a small voice say, Just let go. She moved her hips to the beat and laughed.

Let go…

She was allowed this. She was allowed to let go of all her worry and fear. She was allowed to enjoy tonight. His hand slid down her arm, his movements surprisingly rhythmic for someone of his size. She was free, with no more weight of an impending engagement looming over her.

She was free. And clearly, so was Gideon.

Torin smiled as he moved, his face relaxed. His fierce features were gone, but his eyes were still dangerously intense. For a moment, she couldn’t break her eyes away from his. Beautiful pools of crystal clear water glazed with glittering ice.

His grin turned deviant as he noticed her watching. “You know, rumour has it that if you look into a Blacksteel’s eyes for more than ten seconds, you fall in love with them.”

“Don’t be so cocky, you’re not my type.” Her eyes held his stare, her chin pulled up proudly. She swished her long hair around her shoulder and turned around, moving her body to the music. Torin caught her hand and spun her back to face him and moved closer to her. He was so graceful, she could hardly believe it.

“I thought you didn’t have a type?” he challenged, his forehead crinkling as his eyebrows lifted.

How did he know that?

“I have spies everywhere in the tower; they tell me all the secrets.” His full lips parted to make way for a wicked grin.

The movement of the crowd forced them closer together, but he stood strong against them as the beat picked up, blocking anyone from touching her.

“It’s a good thing I don’t have any secrets,” she said, her hair splashing across her face.

“Everyone has secrets.” His playful charm surprised her. He took her functioning arm and swung her out and in and Emara laughed at the thought.

I bet the tower is full of secrets.

She moved her hips to the beat as if she were the only one in the tavern, as if the music played for only her. Her hands moved up her body and into the air as she flung her head back. She smiled as the alcohol twirled in her veins and freedom was light in her chest.

“Am I going to see your wild side tonight, Emara Clearwater?” Torin smirked, amusement crossed his face.

“I don’t think I have a wild side, Torin Blacksteel.” Her smile expanded on her face as the endorphins from her dance floated around her body.

Happy! She was happy for the first time in days. Was she even allowed to steal a moment of happiness in her grief?

“I think you do.” Torin lowered his eyes to her lips. “From the minute I saw you, I thought as much.” His hand brushed a black strand of hair from her face.

She couldn’t breathe.

You know, rumour has it that if you look into a Blacksteel’s eyes for more than ten seconds, you fall in love with them.

His words played through her mind.

His head leaned into hers…

Someone from the crowd knocked her from behind, sending her flying into Torin’s chest. She braced herself as she put her hands out and he caught her in rock solid arms. She hauled herself upright as she met the intensity of his gaze once more.

The crowd was too much. This wasn’t right. She couldn’t look at Torin like that! Maybe she wasn’t allowed happiness yet. Especially not with Torin, of all people.

She whirled around to find the exit, a space she could move through, but Torin caught her arm in protest. “Where are you going?” he yelled over the music.

“Don’t!” She yanked her arm back. “Don’t touch me!”

---