Page 74 of Of Withering Dreams
“Here’s your drink, Ser. Well, half of it. Kaden practically threw it at me when he went to you,” Letti scolded.
Kaden laughed nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. “See, told you she was in her cups.”
I snickered, sipping the rest of my drink. Letti stuck her tongue out at Kaden before she and Xeni went to dance.
“Wasn’t that slow tune just the saddest, most lovely melody you’ve ever heard? I’m gutted,” Breena murmured. She snapped her fingers after a moment. “Your humming song, right? I knew it sounded familiar. Was hard to tell since you’re usually gobbling down your food.”
I cuffed her on the arm without any real heat behind it, and she grinned. My fingers brushed away some errant curls, and I sighed, not wanting to think anymore tonight.
Not of Melina.
Not of the song or its summoned lyrics.
Not of Gavrel or his brother’s reaction to his presence.
So, instead, I drank another goblet of honey wine with Kaden.
27
SHATTERING
In my quarters, Kaden unbuttoned his waistcoat, shrugging it off and letting it fall to the floor. He fumbled with the knotted cravat as he mumbled, “Bollocks.”
“Here, let me help,” I smiled, brushing his hands aside and untying it for him. “Did you have fun tonight? Feel celebrated like the big, strong competitor you are?”
He chuckled, wrapping his hands around my waist and pulling my body flush with his, candlelight and shadows dancing over the plains of his face. “Indeed, I did. Call me big and strong again. Emphasis onbig.”
Letting the silky fabric slip from my fingers and flutter to the ground, I reached on my toes to press my lips against his. He tasted of honey and the faint bite of liquor. “You’re so strong,” I purred, squeezing his biceps and drawing out the words. “Andbig.”
He grinned, grabbing hold of my bottom through my gown and lifting me. I squealed, laughing as he twirled me around and then carried me to the bed, tossing me on it.
I propped myself on my elbows, bending one knee and placing my foot on the edge of the bed. He sucked in a gulp of air, raking his eyes over my figure, and then fixated on the deep slit in the velvet exposing my bent leg.
He wrapped his hand around my foot, pulling it toward him and kneading the instep. “You were the most beautiful creature at the ball tonight.”
A disbelieving snort left my exhale, followed by a small moan as he worked a tender area. “Maybe it was the mead.”
He paused until I focused my eyes on his face. I had a pleasant warmth from the drink, but his expression, lined with sincerity, anchored me to the bed. “I mean it, Ser. Or, at least, I think so because I couldn’t see anyone but you.”
I smiled, heat rising over my chest as my eyelids fluttered. “Thank you. And thank you for whatever witchery you’re doing to my feet.”
He chuckled, picking up the other foot and giving it the same treatment. When he finished, I stretched, my toes curling and fingers stretching wide. I sat up, my heart forgetting how to beat as he looked into my eyes intently, head tilting, one hand rubbing his chest.
“Will you help me?” I asked, reaching for the ties at the back of my dress.
“If you’re asking for me to unwrap the present I’ve been waiting for all damn night, I wouldn’t dream of doing anything else.”
Slipping off the bed to stand before him, the corner of my mouth curled. “Well, less talk. More action.”
His hands bracketed my waist, squeezing as he held in a laugh, the green of his eyes glinting as he bent toward me. My breath hitched. I swallowed as his lips hovered above mine, his breath tickling my skin.
“I’ve no objection to taking action with you,” he whispered, echoing his words from the tête-à-tête we’d had before we’d crossed this muddied line between friendship and intimacy.
My eyes closed.
Waiting.
My heart galloped. It was a restless beast trapped within the confines of my corseted bodice, heat pooling in my belly, anticipating.
