Page 121 of What Lies Within Blood & Heirs

Starsdamn. That color.He needed to focus but could not possibly bring himself to. “It would not matter what you wore.” His voice came out so breathy he hardly recognized it. “Anything, even nothing at all, would look beautiful on you. I am certainly jealous.”

That scarlet brightened more when she looked at Thalon, close enough to hear Garrik. “Why?” she asked.

“Because.” Garrik stepped closer. Close enough to feel her incredible warmth through his jacket. “It has the pleasure of touching you all night.” The back of his palm lifted, and a finger brushed down her neck. He watched her skin pebble as his icy touch drifted lower, lower, lower until it found smooth silk.

Alora’s breath hitched.

“Speaking of.” Garrik curled his fingers around the hem of her scarf and eased it from her shoulders, but she snatched his wrist so fast, he did not anticipate it.

“What are you doing?” she snapped, her sapphires so wide the whites glowed. Then she lowered her voice to whisper, “My death mark.”

Garrik smirked and carefully removed her hand from his scarred wrist. “Yes, Thalon mentioned that little detail.” His eyesnarrowed, feeling the shift in his powers as he pictured blaring-white flames in her mind. Alora was protected from all else, including him, and he patiently waited at the walls of starfire while his shadows begged for permission. “Take a look, darling.”

Those flames sputtered, knowing she felt his shadowy caress inside her mind. And when a door opened, his darkness took form in the likeness of his hand and guided her to his mind.

Into his vision, seeing herself as he saw her now. Vibrant when all else lacked luster. The dress, her hair, her eyes … her upper arm. Where her curse of Mystics once inked on her arm, now porcelain, unmarked skin laid.

Alora’s eyes widened as he released her into her mind, watching her blink and scan her skin, mystified.

His thumb brushed the empty spot. “You are safe, clever girl. No one can see.”

“I tried to tell her,” a gravelly female voice called from above.

A shadow moved to Garrik’s right as Jade found the bottom step. The high slit at her thigh revealed a dagger sheath as she leaned her elbow and an emerald-silken hip against the railing. Folding her long-sleeved arms across her chest, fidgeting with her coin and spine necklace as she warned, “If any of you idiots say a word about this”—she gestured to her gown with a nod—“Iwillcut your tongues out.”

That figure stepped forward. Aiden’s eyes marveled, much like Garrik’s own, and his mouth gaped. “You look like … afemale!” His eyes darkened as his gaze swept to the daggers on her thigh. “It’s a bloody wonder there’s any room in that for a knife.”

Before anyone could say a word, a dagger unsheathed and the cold kiss of iron found the skin of Aiden’s neck. Jade’s reptilian grin shot fire in her green eyes when she pressed the metal tighter, pulling a grunt from his lips. “Thank youfor allowing me the opportunity to practice drawing one before dinner.”

“Parley …parley,” Aiden growled between his teeth. In the dim faelight, those shale-colored eyes darkened as if he took pleasure in it.

Twirling the knife between her fingers, Jade sheathed the dagger at her thigh before sarcastically smiling at Aiden. She lightly tapped his cheek twice and grinned before adjusting the fabric over her leg.

It was silent for mere breaths. Everyone glanced at each other.

Then roars of laughter exploded and echoed across the grand hall. Even Garrik’s smile twitched at the corners of his mouth as Thalon roared, and Alora covered her mouth, giggling until her shoulders bounced.

Aiden’s glare was as fiery as Jade’s hair, as scorching as Alora’s starfire. Rubbing his neck, he complained, “Damned to the depths with the lot of you.”

“She did warn you.”Garrik’s smirk met his eye, and he patted Aiden’s shoulder.

Alora shuffled to a nearby chaise tucked away in the corner of the room, leaving the Shadow Order to taunt and tease each other. She twirled around, sat on the ruby-colored cushion, and propped her leg over a knee.

Garrik slipped in front of her. “Allow me, Your Majesty.” Before she could protest, he dropped to a knee and took the crystal-embellished heel beside her.

Slowly, Garrik’s hand cradled her calf muscle. Tracing his fingertips over her flesh while the others made conversation behind them. He scanned up from the floor, noticing her pulse quickening … how she bit her lip.

“I cannot seem to stop falling on my knees before you.” Garrik slipped the heel on, lacing the straps in a crisscrosspattern as Alora’s cheeks scarleted and sent a wave of ice singing through his veins.

She said nothing. Nothing but bit her starsdamned lipagain.

The decision was made. Hewouldremind her how that affected him.

Garrik finished and gestured for her other foot, repeating the same steps until his palm lowered her heel to the ground and gripped her ankles.

“That flush.” He paused, tightening his abdomen. “Imagining my death, clever girl?” Garrik rose and trailed his palms up the smooth skin of her legs, wrinkling the fabric at her knees before ushering her to her feet—so close their bodies touched. “Or … perhaps.” Silver glanced at the others over his shoulder. “My tongue.”

That pleasing shade of scarlet flushed brighter. “You shouldn’t do that,” Alora breathed, her gaze flickering around the room, uncertain.

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