Page 400 of Kingdoms of Night

Taking his hand in hers and savoring the sparking heat that flooded her fingers, she pulled him toward the dancing. He circled her waist with one arm, pulling her close.

“I don’t know any Wylfenden dances. Will you teach me?” he asked.

“But I quite like this particular dance,” she said.Why do I feel this way toward a stranger?This was more than physical attraction. She was linked to him, her soul reaching for his. As much as she knew it was pure madness, she felt a true bond with him.

His body brushed hers and her insides melted in pleasure.

She smiled against his chest. “This is fantastic. If I’m asleep, don’t wake me.”

A chuckle rumbled through his chest, the vibration tickling her palm.

He bent closer to her and whispered a phrase in his language. A thrill sped through her blood even though she had no idea what he had said. His breath was sweet like the drink they’d been serving. He kissed her neck softly and she practically purred.

Pulling away, he studied her face. “Am I frightening you?”

“No.” She tugged his tunic and brought him close again. “That was a good shiver, Prince Viridi. A very good shiver.”

A gleam of pride shone in his deep, dark eyes and he kissed her ear. “Such funny little ears you have, lovely girl.”

“You’re the one with the funny ears, My Lord,” she said, her words coming out breathy. Her heart was going to thrust itself through her ribs if he kept this up. But at least she’d die happy.

An elven man with a scar across the side of his mouth approached them, smiling.

Viridi moved away from her a step. “Felix,” he said, clapping the dryad elf on the back. “Isa, meet my dearest friend, Felix.”

Felix bowed to Isa, then took her hand and squeezed it softly before releasing her. He wore a necklace of acorn caps and dark sweet gum leaves. “I am delighted to see you. Viridi has spoken very highly of you.”

His words were warming, but… “He knows so little about me. What did he say?” She grinned and raised eyebrows at Viridi.

Viridi smiled and let Felix continue.

“He claimed your soul was the brightest he’d seen in his life and that the love you hold for your ward speaks to your big heart.”

She opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out.

Viridi’s grin fell away and his gaze turned serious. “It’s true.” He glanced at Felix as if to ask him for advice and Felix shrugged. Viridi looked at her again. “Have you heard of fated mates?”

Isa’s heart stumbled and rolled over a rib. “Like they have in Lore?”

“Yes,” Felix said, his gaze asking Viridi if it was all right for him to be there, “but a dryad elf’s fated mate is slightly different.”

“You know more than I do,” Viridi said to Felix. “Tell us what you’ve learned in your beloved scrolls.”

Felix made a face at Viridi and it was obvious these two had grown up together, teasing one another like brothers. Felix turned to Isa. “When a dryad elf sees their fated mate, they immediately feel the bond and their mate does as well.”

Isa rubbed her sweating palms on her dress. Fated mate. That was what had happened on the beach when she’d seen him in the tree line, when they’d been together in mind and soul and spirit, why he felt so familiar.

Viridi’s black eyelashes lay on his high, sharp cheekbone, the flesh there shimmering subtly in the green firelight. Was he afraid to look at her, to see a possible rejection?

Her heart shuddered and cracked wide open for him. She took his hands, not caring if he saw the strange markings on her pinkie and wrist. This was too important to shy away from. His eyes flew open and Felix stepped away, giving them a modicum of privacy.

“Do you accept the bond?” Viridi said. “There is much I must tell you. It’s not happy news. Don’t say yes until you hear everything.”

She held his hands tightly and leaned closer. His scent flooded her and she breathed him in. “I don’t care what you’re about to say. I can’t deny this…this link between us. I’ve been questioning it, of course, but I know you, Viridi.”

He inhaled sharply, his chest moving.

“Whatever the challenges, I choose you.” She lifted her chin.

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