Page 10 of Celestial Bodies

Julen couldn’t imagine what that felt like. To feel…normal. “That sounds nice.”

Julen looked around the room. He felt self-conscious being in the arms of any man, let alone a Rugirean. “Are you sure this is all right?”

Dacias cocked his head. “What? Us dancing?”

Julen’s eyes darted around the room again. “You’re dancing with aLapistrean. I’m in a tog. It might upset your brother.”

Dacias rolled his eyes. “He’s not my keeper. Plus, we’re in Cupidor, and he can’t shift. He knows I’d drop him like a sack of dirt in hand-to-hand combat.”

Suddenly, Julen felt very hot.

Dacias pulled Julen closer, their chests touching one another. “Besides, we’re just dancing. That’s not a big deal, right?”

Julen’s head spun.It is in Lapistra.He pushed that thought aside and focused on the fact that this was the sweetest, sexiest man he’d ever met. Dacias knew he was Lapistrean but didn’t care. Perhaps Julen could be honest? He decided to test it. “I was afraid you’d hate me. With everything that is happening between our territories.”

The mountains of Lapistra held the bulk of healing minerals used on the continent. Haligran, as a show of strength, embargoed the minerals the moment he ascended to power, throwing the Rugirean health system into chaos.

Dacias shook his head. “I don’t hate you.”

Julen could barely contain his excitement. “Why?”

Dacias held Julen’s gaze. “I can’t hate someone who feels the wrath ofLapistra as much as we do. I’ve heard what it’s like for people who are…different. Plus, you didn’t do anything. Haligran is to blame. I fucking despise that man.”

Julen’s eyes widened, and his throat became as dry as sandpaper.

Dacias must have noticed because he said, “I probably shouldn’t have said that. I made you uncomfortable—”

Julen stopped him. “No, no, it’s fine. I don’t…disagree.”

Dacias smiled, but Julen couldn’t help but feel disappointed.Arlo it is.Still, it felt so good to be in the arms of someone who understood. He hadn’t realized how much he yearned for this kind of companionship. Souzie was an angel, but this kind of comfort from a man who seemed attracted to him lulled Julen into a sense of safety that he rarely felt. Dacias wrapped his arm about the small of Julen’s back, fully embracing him. His face inched closer to Julen’s, and a shockwave of desire rippled through Julen and made him tremble.

“You are so gorgeous.” Julen whispered.

Wait. Did I just say that out loud?

Julen gasped at what he said, and Dacias’s grin was so big it nearly took up his entire face.

Dacias connected his forehead to Julen’s. “You’re pretty gorgeous yourself.”

I’m dreaming. I have to be. He didn’t just say that.

The music accelerated, filling the hall with a fast-paced song. The crowd erupted, breaking the moment between them.

Julen wanted to stay. The feeling of pure bliss radiated through his body as his hands fell over Dacias’s muscular chest, but his mind took over.What am I doing?He shouldn’t be dancing with a Rugirean. Acadet,no less. His father would kill him.

Fear took over. Julen’s heart raced, and he looked about the crowd, trying to find Souzie.

Julen pushed himself away from Dacias. “I should find my friend.” Once freed, Julen hurried away as quickly as he could.

He turned back to see Dacias looking dismayed. Julen wanted to go back, but he knew it was stupid. What could come of this? Nothing but trouble.He found Souzie and told her he had to leave, and they hurried out of the dance court. It dawned on Julen that he must never see Dacias again, and he couldn’t stop the intense sadness that washed over him.

6

Chapter 5

Dacias

Beads of sweat trickled down Dacias’s back as the summer sun roasted his shoulders. Times like this made him wish he could transform into something aquatic. At least then, he could join the navy and cool off in the sea.

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