Page 98 of What Fury Brings
Daneryn suddenly was deadweight in Olerra’s arms. She increased her grip, but thankfully Andrastus stepped forward to take the bulk of his weight before Olerra could learn whether she had the strength to hold him up at this angle.
A few servants finally noticed and sprang forward to help. They took Daneryn off their hands and cleaned the mess. Olerra and Andrastus found another corner of the room to occupy.
“What do you think that was about?” the prince asked.
“She could be trying to unsettle me or it could be part of something bigger. It’s impossible to know with her. We just need to be careful tonight.”
Andrastus nodded. “Would you like to dance?”
The musicians had started a slower song, and many of the men left the raised platform to find their mistresses. Women took to the dance floor, towing three or four men along after them. Sanos didn’t know any Amarran dances, and he didn’t know how to dance with more than one partner, but he rather liked the idea of having more excuses to touch Olerra.
“A Brute who dances?” Olerra asked.
“I’m instructed in over thirty different dances for four different kingdoms, but I don’t know any Amarran ones.”
“Then I’ll teach you.”
She led him to the raised platform. While all dances from different countries had different moves, they often started the same, with the hands clasped.
Not so in Amarra.
“On your knees,” Olerra said.
He looked around, noting that the other men were sitting at their mistresses’ feet. Perhaps this was a very bad idea.
Then Olerra started to move.
She circled him, letting her fingers trail over his shoulders, across his chest. The men around him did nothing. They watched their mistresses, so Sanos did the same. When she turned her eyes on him, he couldn’t move if he’d wanted to.
It was like watching her fight, the way she moved. She held her arms above her head, then lowered to the floor. She rolled onto her back, came back up on her feet, flung her hair behind herself.
And then she came to him.
Olerra tugged him to his feet, pulled him in so close there was no space between them. She spun so her back was to his front and looped her arms around his neck. Without her eyes on him, he could take in the other dancers. Men were touching the women, swaying their hips together, each man taking turns to be the one at her back.
Olerra was all his.
Sanos put his hands on her hips. They moved as one, swaying side to side. Other couples were thrusting in the imitation of sex, and he wondered if they should, too…
Olerra moved away and spun to face him, and the opportunity was lost to him. The next part of the dance was more familiar. It appeared meant for women who had lots of partners, as each took turns holding her, spinning her. The women led in these dances, and he followed as Olerra moved herself in and out of his arms. He moved his limbs ashe saw the other men do, and each time he touched Olerra, more and more of his surroundings were forgotten.
And then she drew her face toward his until their mouths were a hairbreadth apart.
Sanos closed his eyes, welcoming her kiss.
But then the music stopped.
It was over before it could begin, and Olerra pulled back, clapping for the artists who’d played their instruments so beautifully. Sanos wanted to glare at them for ending the song.
A voice rang out, and Sanos finally tore his eyes away from Olerra.
“Thank you all for coming. Tonight’s entertainment is about to start. Take your seats and make sure you get a good view of the dais.”
They finally had eyes on Glenaerys. She wore a golden dress and sandals. Her hair was braided so intricately that Sanos couldn’t begin to guess how it was done. When she saw Olerra and Sanos, she offered them a warm smile.
“Come,” Olerra said, taking his hand and leading him to where Ydra and some of Olerra’s captains were already situated. They weren’t far from where the queen and queen consort were seated, apart from everyone else on raised thrones, where they could observe without distractions. Attendants and guards were not far off. As though the queen couldn’t trust her own niece not to try anything at her party.
The first member of Glen’s harem took the stage with a lute in tow. He strummed the instrument and sang so beautifully that the whole crowd was mesmerized. His voice reached impossibly high for a man; he must practice every day to be able to accomplish it. Sanos had seen the music rooms in the gymnasium, but he’d never bothered to enter, because he had no inclination or talent in that regard.
