Page 134 of The Shadow Wand

“They’re not,” he admits as he sets the bottle back on the table. “We need to be sharp tomorrow. They aren’t intoxicating, but they’re relaxing in other ways. There’s a slight wood thrall in each of them.”

“That’s...good,” I say as he removes the cork from the screw. “Lukas... I’m incredibly nervous.”

He pauses, his eyes flicking up to meet mine. “I’ll do my best to set you at ease,” he says reassuringly. He places the cork loosely back into its opening. “This is very good wine, Elloren. I’m guessing you’ve never had wine before?”

I’ve had tirag with Valasca,I think. Way too much of it.

“No, I’ve never had wine.”

“Well, I think you’ll like this.” He retrieves two crystalline glasses from a nearby shelf.

I sit back down on the bed and pick up a crystal bottle that sits on the side table nearest me. It’s tied with a golden ribbon that’s embroidered with Ishkart letters. “What’s this?”

“Ellusian oil.” He pauses, as if unsure what to say. “For later.”

I lift the glass stopper and breathe it in.Vanilla. Rose. Jasmine.

“What’s it for?” I ask, replacing the stopper.

He hesitates again, wine bottle in hand. “I’ve no desire to hurt you, Elloren.”

For a moment, I’m confused. Then a light dawns and my face warms. “Well practiced in deflowering virgins, are you?” I ask edgily, embarrassed now.

He smiles and pours a small amount of the wine into the two glasses. “No. You’ll be my first.” He picks up both glasses, moves toward the bed, and holds one out to me.

Flustered, I take the glass, the liquid the color of honey in the soft lamplight.

“We’re unique, you and I,” Lukas says, taking a seat on the velvet-cushioned chair facing me, his glass held loosely in hand. “Our affinity lines match, line for line.” He gestures to the bed with the glass. “I suspect we’ll be a good match in this, as well.”

Feeling wrapped up in apprehension, I take a small sip of the wine.

Its subtle sweetness permeates my mouth and my eyes widen in surprise. It’s startlingly good. Dry and smooth, with an undercurrent of wood.

“Whatisthis?” I marvel, running my tongue lightly over my upper lip, the spirits decadently warming my earthlines. My eyes brighten. “Oh, I know.” I close my eyes, enraptured, as the image of coniferous trees with low-hung branches suffuses my mind. “Mmm. Cedar.”

When I open my eyes Lukas is sipping his wine, his gaze intent on me. “Very good. It’s aged in cedar barrels for several years. Only Mages with very strong earthlines can sense the trees in it.”

“Oh, Lukas.” I take another sip and let the wine roll over my tongue, the trees’ sensuous limbs caressing my lines. “It’s so good.”

Lukas is smiling appreciatively, no small amount of affection in his gaze. “I like that you can recognize fine things. Good music, good wine.” He considers his glass. “They’re fools to make this illegal. Gardnerians are idiots.”

I take another small sip, the awareness of the beautiful cedar grove like an embrace, relaxing the tension in my body and my emotions to the point that suppressed thoughts begin to rise to the surface. Yvan’s beautiful face lights in my mind along with the remembrance of his embrace, his Wyvernfire kiss, his wings wrapped around me...

Yvan.

Grief engulfs me, uncomfortably sharp, as the pained thought arises—

This was supposed to be with you, Yvan. We were supposed to be together.

I sip the wine again, desperate to let the all-encompassing feel of the cedar grove push back my grief.

He’s gone, Elloren. You have to let him go.

I pull in a long, shuddering breath as the wine’s tree-effect settles in deeper, the beautiful vision of the trees calming my flare of sorrow.

I slip off my leaf-embroidered shoes and curl my stocking-clad feet into the carpet, my knees almost touching Lukas’s as I set down my glass on the side table and consider him—the easy way he sits, hips thrust forward, leaning casually on one elbow, his glass loose in his hand. “Have you been with many women?” I ask him, growing hesitant.

Lukas sips his wine, his eyes now guarded. “A few.”

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