Page 61 of Broken Lands

Something in my chest was tugging, tightening, urging me closer to Lincoln. I couldn’t think, couldn’t see past my desire for him. The need to wrap myself around him and not let go was overwhelming.

“Let’s skip the dance,” I said, my voice husky and wanton. “Let’s stay right here, just you and I. Get to know each other more.”

A groan escaped him from where his lips met my neck. “I wish we could, Tyas, I really do.” He placed a kiss on my collarbone, then straightened, cupping my jaw with one hand, while the other rested on my hip and his eyes searched mine. “I have to make an appearance. My father demands it. Maybe we can leave early?”

The fog of lust I’d been encased in cleared instantly at the mention of his father. How had I almost forgotten Lincoln was the Water Prince? Of course he had responsibilities and an expectation to appear at tonight’s dance.

Pushing myself up onto my toes, I placed a gentle kiss on his soft tempting lips and smiled at him.

“Whatever this is,” I said, gesturing between us. “It will keep. The pull I feel toward you—to Stefan and Colin as well—isn’t going anywhere. We don’t need to rush it. Let’s go ‘dance the night away’ as Bee so elegantly put it.”

“How did I get so lucky?” He voiced the question so low that I almost didn’t hear him as he held my hand in his and led me downstairs.

It hadn’t escaped my notice that he hadn’t even balked at the mention of the connection I felt with Stefan and Colin, too.

My heart felt fuller than it had in the longest time. It really felt like I was finding my place, and my people. I just needed to find my brother, too.

Black silk curtains hung from every wall of the dining hall, encasing the room and transforming the space completely.

Vines wound their way up the curtains, blooming with flowers in white, pink, purple, and more. There were no lights on, instead extra chandeliers had been hung from the ceiling, hundreds of candles lighting the space with a flickering orange glow.

The floor had been cleared of the usual tables and chairs, seating instead placed off to one side, leaving most of the floor free to act as a dance floor. A makeshift stage had been set up against the far wall, a small band belting out the notes of a song I’d never heard before.

Students milled about, glasses in hand, many already on the dance floor, their bodies swaying to the music. I spotted Amy and Bee dancing together and grinned at them. They looked so happy together.

Bee looked up, catching my eye and waving me over. Tugging on Lincoln’s hand, I led him over to the couple and fell in beside them.

I let the music flow through my body as I gyrated my hips to the beat the band was creating. The atmosphere was relaxed, heady, and I could feel myself loosening up.

Lincoln’s hand grasped my hips as I let myself go, let the music take me where it would. He pulled me close to him, moving in time, our bodies fitting together snugly. I could feel every inch of him pressed against me and the overwhelming sense of lust I’d felt earlier reared back up. I pressed closer to him, bringing my mouth to his as we moved together on the dancefloor.

Heat pooled in my core, and I realized there was a very different type of dance I wanted to do with this man. That would have to wait. I’d just have to enjoy him like this for now.

And I did enjoy him. We danced like that for some time, our bodies pressed close, moving with the beat supplied by the music. The dance floor filled with bodies, all of them moving to the same beat, everyone enjoying themselves. I let go of everything that had been weighing me down. Stopped worrying about it for the moment. Whatever will be, will be. Tonight was about letting go.

A tap on my shoulder broke the trance I was in, and I peeled myself off of Lincoln, spinning around to find Stefan standing behind me, a massive grin on his face.

“May I cut in?” he asked.

Lincoln wrapped his hands around my waist and pressed a gentle kiss to my cheek. “I’ll get us some drinks.”

He was gone before I could say a word, and I immediately missed his touch, his presence. I watched him weaving through the crowd until he disappeared among the thrum of people, before turning back to Stefan.

“You look beautiful, little dove. Would you like to dance?” He held his hand out in offer. Stepping forward, I ignored his hand, moving right into his space and wrapping my arms around his waist and resting my head on his chest.

We hadn’t seen much of each other since he’d begun teaching me to wield my air magic. Some part of me had been aching for him, and the strength of that ache surprised me.

Stefan wrapped his arms around me, pressing a soft kiss to the top of my head, swaying our bodies gently from side to side as the band began a slow song.

“I heard about your visit to James’ house and his letter. How are you holding up?”

“Garner or Bee?” I asked, avoiding his question. My emotions were in turmoil. It was going to take time to process everything I’d learnt the last few days. Until I had, I couldn’t be sure how I was feeling.

“Neither. Colin told me.”

“Colin?” I asked, jerking my head back from his chest in surprise. “I haven’t spoken to him. How did he find out?”

“He is the General, Riley,” Stefan chuckled, amusement dancing in his silver eyes. “The man knows everything. He has eyes and ears everywhere.”

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