Page 89 of Crown of Ellova: Vol 1

This only makes him laugh. It’s not a malicious laugh, just one where he seems to think we are both in on the same joke, as if my expressed desire not to dance with him is some sort of playful game. I instinctively glance around for Leon. Not that I can’t handle the fae male in front of me, but I’m worried about Kole’s face meeting Leon’s fist if he doesn’t move away from me by the time he returns.

Unfortunately, Kole is a powerful fae and any retaliation on Kole’s part could turn deadly for Leon.

Kole is wearing golden cuffs, which would’ve been perfect if I still had my powers. I could’ve molded the metal together and he’d be forced to spend the night begging any fae with metal magic or a blacksmith to help him. They wouldn’t have, knowing nojewelsmith would have done that without cause and it was likely a result of wandering hands.

The dance floor is hot and the other dancing couples press close to us, which doesn’t give me much space as I make a second attempt to remove myself from his grip.

The only reason I don’t punch him in the face myself is the fact that Everett is his best friend and we’ve all known each other for so long. Kole simply wants what he can’t have and enjoys the game of chase. The less interested I am in his advances, the more he takes this all as a challenge.

When he does let go, I ask, “Where is Everett? He should be keeping a tighter leash on you.”

He just laughs again. “Everett stayed behind at the palace. You know he’s no fun at parties.”

“Believe me,” I say, “I’d much rather be at a party with him than you.”

That wipes the smug expression off his face. He opens his mouth to say something crass, no doubt, the way his eyebrows are pulled together, but Kole’s bitter scent is washed away by healing oil and herbs. Leon hands me both crystal goblets and moves to stand in front of me. Kole sneers at him, looking him up and down. Leon just glares back.

“Do you know,” Leon says, “when I choose a dance partner, I like to pick someone who looks like theyactuallywant to dance with me. You should experience it one day.”

Kole takes a step towards Leon but Leon remains unwavering, still as a statue. “Stay out of this. I don’t know who you are or which court you crawled out of, but she doesn’t need a bodyguard,” Kole says with a snarl, his face turning red.

I stand on my tiptoes and whisper, “Strawberry,” in Leon’s ear before I kiss his cheek, marking him as my dance partner.

Kole looks between the two of us, confusion taking over the anger. Leon turns to me with adoring eyes and pointedly says, “Let’s go find adarkalcove to entertain ourselves in.”

Kole’s jaw drops at hearing his own words thrown back at him.

Leon and I walk away, our arms around each other’s waist. I canstill feel Kole’s eyes on us as we leave the ballroom, which is probably why a moment later, I feel Leon’s hand sliding down my back and grabbing a handful of my rounded backside.

We walk through a well-lit hallway, every inch of available space covered in art frames of every shape and size. Two fae men passionately kiss up against a giant portrait of some long-past court Guardian. Leon and I pass many dark alcoves, but most are occupied, the sounds of moans and fae enjoying themselves coming from inside.

“Is he always like that?” Leon asks, irritated.

“Yes. He’s always been annoying, but it’s only been within the past decade that he’s gotten more bothersome. He doesn’t want anything serious with me, just some careless fun. I promise, he’s harmless.”

“A man that does not accept a woman’s no for any reason is notharmless. He has justbeenharmless up until this point.”

“Are you hungry?” I ask, knowing the feast that awaits us will erase Kole from both of our minds.

He leans down with a sly grin, his lips brushing my ear as he says, “For some things more than others, but I’ve already licked my fingers clean so I suppose dinner will have to do.”

The heat of my blush joins the dusting of gold over my cheeks.

Dinner is an extravagant event. Five extremely long tables run down the length of the atrium with an assortment of Ellovian cuisines sitting on hot rocks to keep warm. None of the dishes or chairs match, each carefully crafted by individual artisans to reflect their unique style. As we walk between the tables to find our place, we pass firefaes crafting images with flame in the air and dancers spinning around them, their hips moving to the beat of the music in glittering skirts.

I’ve missed this place, every night alive and welcoming. Something in the air here makes me want to dance and paint and create. If I ever get my powers back, it’ll be the first place I’ll come to. Ihadn’t appreciated what all my court offered when my magic was still intact.

Lazalai sits with Nueena, Tavien, and the Verrelia family at the head of a table running the length of the dining hall. Since I’m looking to avoid any lingering conversation with Lazalai, Leon and I sit tucked towards the middle, my back to her.

We eat off each other’s plates, sitting shoulder to shoulder and thigh to thigh. I bring him small bites of foods he hasn’t tried yet. He barely takes his eyes off me, settling his hand on my inner thigh, brushing his thumbs up the fabric, which brings the memories of his fingers pumping into me, building an ache there. He must have the same memories; his smile widens as I blush.

The wine we have been drinking brings a flush to our cheeks and a wobble to our words. The alcohol has helped the pounding ache at my temple, but now I’m lightheaded, feeling better than I have in weeks.

“Let’s take a walk,” I declare with a hiccup.

Now that most of the dewlings are tucked in bed, bottles of a vibrant fuschia liquid are passed around.

“What is it?” Leon asks, intrigued as we pass through the doors of the dining hall. A pretty fae woman passes Leon a glass with a wink, and I immediately hand it off to another passing fae before Leon can taste it. She has a male on each side of her, both gazing at her with lustful longing, as we head into the gardens. “Thanks!” she says delightedly, taking a drink before dripping some into each of their waiting mouths and walking off, leaving us alone.

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