Page 211 of Fated or Knot

The song came to a close and we stopped. He leaned down to press his forehead to mine, our hot breath mingling for a moment. I nuzzled under his jaw, marking him with…well, I wasn’t sure what scent anymore. He did the same back to me without hesitation, and didn’t leave any pheromones behind at all. But the public claim was probably noticed as other Unseelie changed partners and shuffled on or off the dance floor.

Either way, he swept me away to meet his friends, introducing me as his mate. He really came alive with a group to talk to and catch up with. I started to blank a bit, as they discussed several names of fae I didn’t know and possibly would never meet. Fal kept an arm around me, though during a lull in conversation, he pointed out a nearby stone column where Marius stood. “Why don’t you explore the event a bit? I’ll catch up with you,” he offered.

“Okay. See you soon,” I agreed, happy to leave him to some extra socializing.

Marius was talking to Theodred, who was a hulking shadow also standing with his back to the column, though facing adifferent section of the ballroom. As I approached, the redcap king rumbled deeply. I felt it despite all the music and conversation around us. It was short-lived enough that it had to be a laugh.

I shook the irrational fear from my head. Theodred was just too large. Maybe I’d get used to how his size and strength affected everything about him. In the meantime, Marius held his arms out to me and tucked me into the line of his body. He nuzzled my hair and murmured, “You’re not supposed to notice your guard, p’nixie.”

“But what if he’s my handsome beast?” I murmured back.

He didn’t answer, just swayed there with me in his arms.

“Daughter.” Theodred’s sudden rock fall of a voice startled me. “You’re distracting him from his duties.” He turned our way, his flame-colored eyes taking in how Marius was holding me, before something about him shifted. The barest lift of his lips, perhaps. “Perhaps you two should take the next dance. I will keep watch.”

“I’ve never danced at an event like this,” Marius said. Almost an argument, but a careful one.

“You haven’t?” I asked in surprise.

“Truly a shame, considering how much we paid for your lessons.” Though his deep tones made the redcap king sound flat, it was clear this was a bit of teasing.

Marius snorted, then drew back enough to look at me. He considered my hopeful expression and slowly gave me a lopsided smile. “Care for a dance, Lark?”

As I bobbed my head, I had a new goal solidifying in my mind: catch at least one dance with each of my mates.

Marius unstrapped his weapons and left them by Theodred’s feet. The redcap king was wearing ceremonial clan attire, just like Tormund had guessed. The knot at the center of his leather chest armor was more intricately tooled, and the cloak that hungat his side was embroidered with a symbol I couldn’t quite make out in the folds. He stood rigid and alert, watching the crowd instead of us.

I followed where his gaze pointed, which was straight at Nemensia dancing with Elion. She sashayed to the beat, her many fins undulating behind her with weightless grace. She looked like she was having a great time. It was just a bit of a surprise to see her, and realize that all of Pack Serian had to be here.

Marius wrapped an arm around me as we waited to join in on the next song. I warned him through our kelpie bond that I didn’t know any of the dances.“Don’t worry. I can teach you as we go, with our bond,”he answered.

I wiggled my shoulders in an excited shimmy. He considered me with a tilt of his head, probably wondering what I was doing, before he did a shimmy too with a questioning air. Giggling, I hugged and clung to him until the music changed.

He led me on the dance floor and bowed over my hand, all his predatory energy focused on me.“We will probably draw attention. There are a handful of noble nixies that made it a challenge to invite me to dance at every formal event. I would always say no.”

“If you don’t want to dance…”

“I do, mate. Only with you. Besides, I’ll do anything you want if you jiggle your breasts at me.”

I felt the heat rising in my face. As the song began, he named it and the dance, helping me identify the tempo and the steps. It was one of the simpler ones, where we kicked and twirled together.“I didn’t mean to do that,”I said, once I had it down.

He grinned.“Oh, I know. It’s the cut of the dress. I’m just saying.”

“Naughty beast.”

“All yours,”he purred.

Nemensia called over a hello to us. This broke the spell of how intently he and I were looking into one another’s eyes as we spoke through our bond. She and Elion had twirled their way closer, and I was taken again by how artfully she showed her nixie fins in motion. “You got him to dance!” she exclaimed.

“I did pay attention to my tutors, Mother,” he called back.

She flashed a thumbs up back and whispered something to Elion. He glanced our way and smiled warmly, before whispering back to her.

“They’re talking about us,”Marius sighed.

“Of course they are. I bet they’re happy to see you having fun.”

“Father’s been over the moon since we returned with you. He was sure I’d remain alone, and that’s not healthy for any kelpie.”

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