Page 34 of A Kingdom of Fire and Fury
“I’m honored. What happened to getting some ass?”
Ben barked a laugh. “A quickie in the bathroomsatisfied the urge.” He leered at a nearby man, who flushed and sipped his ale. Ben’s grin had a wicked edge as he poured himself another vial. “We should dance. You look like you’d be a great dancer.” Ben chugged his drink before setting it aside. As he walked to me, he pointed lazily at Kieran. “I promise I’ll be nicer than that asshole. We can have a good time.Hey!” He went down with a yelp, looking like a marionette whose strings were cut. “Not cool.”
It took my brain a second to process what happened. Kieran had used his powers to trip Ben. “What’s your problem?” I scowled at Kieran.
“I don’t have a problem.” But his tense arms told another story. Even Gareth shot Kieran a look. “Haven’t you noticed all the eyes on us?”
“You were perfectly fine to let Ben fall on his ass.” I folded my arms.
“Because he doesn’tmatter,” Kieran hissed. “Or have you forgotten you were a traitor not even three weeks ago?”
“Lay off,” Gareth ordered, his voice sharp.
Kieran clenched his jaw. For a moment, I was sure he was going to bite back, but then he slumped gracefully against his chair. “She has a reputation. And unlike ours, she has nothing to rely on if it gets tattered.”
A chill shot down my spine. Couldn’t I have one fucking night where I didn’t feel like shit? I looked at Ben, who sat cross legged on the ground. “Want to dance?”
Ben scrambled to his feet with a speed I couldn’thelp but admire. “Hell yes. Let’s have some fun.” I grabbed his hand and led him to the center of the room. Eyes followed us, but I didn’t care. Ben paused, the easy grin never leaving his lips. “I’ve done some stupid shit, but pissing off Kieran the Dragonslayer might take the cake.” He laughed and put his hands on my hips, yanking me against him.
“Are you scared?” I asked him. Ben was fucking hot. There was no denying that. And a part of me was interested. It’d been a while since I’d gotten laid. But there wasn’t thatspark.Not like the one I felt with…It doesn’t fucking matter. Fuck him.
“Hell no.” Ben twirled me. “I’m here to have fun. It doesn’t need to be serious. Watch.” I blinked in surprise when he pulled away and danced around me, his movements close but sensual and yet utterly ridiculous at the same time. And yet he moved with a fluidness I didn’t expect.
I laughed when he came back to me and tugged me close. “What was that?”
“I like to dance.” He twirled me. “Who cares how you look if you’re having fun?”
“I think many would disagree.”
He hummed. “True. It’s why I prefer more of a free style, but I did some traditional ceremonial dances in the past. Those were a little boring. But enough talk.”
I lost myself to the music, to the rhythm. Ben was right. As curious as I was about his past, I didn’t want to think. I wanted tofeel.And so I did. Song after song, I let myself go until the music slowed down and sweat pooled at my temples.
“If you ever want to have some fun, I’d be honored to have you in my bed,” he murmured in my ear.
“Maybe.” I pulled away. “Thanks for the dance.” He winked and went to find another partner. I glanced around the room, my eyes widening when I spotted Nimue in the corner of the room. Brynn sat in her lap, and the two of them locked lips. I grinned. They deserved to have a good time.
When I sat down at our table, the others were also looking in Nimue’s direction. “Are you guys going to sit here all night?” I arched a brow. “Have you taken any vials?” I asked Gareth. “I mean, ten out of ten. I recommend.”
Gareth snorted. “I’m not fond of drinking. Let alone out in public.” He certainly didn’t look comfortable here.
“I’m done suffering through this.” Aurelia stood. “If she so much as brings that serving wench home—”
“You jealous?” I smirked.
Aurelia stilled. It was like all the life was sucked out of her. Then she exhaled and collected herself. “I’m going home.”
Gareth stood. “I’ll escort you back.”
That left just Kieran and I at the table. Alone. I had half a mind to join Gareth if it wasn’t for the fact that it was nice to get out of the stuffy castle.I can deal with Kieran. He’s not going to win.I leaned forward and closed the distance between us. “Why have you been glued to your chair? Do you secretly have two left feet? There’s no way you have a stick so far up your assyou’re afraid to let loose.”
A muscle in his jaw ticked. “For the record, I’m the second best dancer here.” He looked upward and exhaled. “Not that it matters, but this event isn’t worth my time.”
“Do you have to be such an ass?” My hand tightened into a fist. “You’re going to have to deal with me because I’m not going anywhere.”
His eyes narrowed. “I never wanted you dead.”
I snorted. “Says my executioner.”
