Page 74 of Crown of Roses
“Talk back.” He gave her hand a squeeze. “I know there’s a fae here who can help us, but if they catch any trace of you, or of what we’re looking for, it will only be a matter of time until all Four Courts find out.” He paused, then kissed her soundly once more. “I promise I won’t be long.”
Maeve nodded, unable to form anymore words as Rowan disappeared into the fray. Her nerves skittered wildly, and every sound, every noise nearly made her jump out of her skin. But she couldn’t draw her gaze away from the hypnotic visions around her. She was spellbound. Bewitched. She absently reached up to touch her cheek, just below her eye, ensuring her mask was still in place. The last thing she wanted was to draw attention to herself. Heading for the safety of the stone wall, she let her hips sway a little, like she too, was lost in a dance.
Suddenly, the tempting scent of cinnamon woods and sex was replaced with something else. Her senses heightened; she breathed in, deeply. And summer surrounded her.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Tiernan.
Maeve couldn’t move as his voice coasted over her like a ribbon of dark silk.
“You shouldn’t be here.”
She sucked in a staggered breath, told herself to stay calm. She could play his game. She’d come to understand it rather well. She wouldn’t let him win through intimidation, and she wouldn’t show him any fear. He was just another fae, albeit one who was intentionally cruel, but she’d held her ground against him before, and she would do it again. Slowly, Maeve turned to face him. She looked up, giving him her most threatening smile. “What are you going to do about it, Your Highness? Take me back to your Court and put me in chains?”
His twilight gaze devoured her, lingering on the slit at her thighs and the expanse of her rather indecently exposed breasts. “I can think of plenty I’d do to you with chains involved.”
Maeve paled.
Hells, he was vicious.
“So,” he drawled and lumbered toward her, as though he had all the time in the world. “Rowan left you defenseless in a throng of trooping fae. How thoughtful of him.”
She jutted her chin up in defiance. “I am never defenseless.”
His low laugh drowned out the thrum of music. He stepped closer, crowding her, overwhelming her. But she refused to cower and step back. “It’s dangerous here.”
“Your palace isn’t much safer.”
Storms clouded his face. “Then I suggest you dance with me.”
Maeve drew back and crossed her arms. “Why would I do something like that?”
“To avoid being snatched by the fae over there who is watching you like…” Tiernan cracked his knuckles. “Like he wants to eat you whole.”
She glanced over to the fae in question, and a shudder snaked down her spine. For once, Tiernan was not taunting her. Sure enough, a solitary male fae sat upon a hollowed-out log. Curved horns protruded above his pointed ears, and his body was rippled with corded veins of black. His elbows rested upon his knees, his fingers were steepled, and his fierce, otherworldly gaze was focused on her every move.
A tremor of trepidation had her stepping closer to Tiernan.
“Fine.” She gave him her hand. “But I’m not a very good dancer.”
“Don’t worry,” he purred, and his whisper caressed her cheek. “I’ll make you look like you’re the only one who knows what you’re doing.”
Cocky prick.
Tiernan chuckled. “You have no idea.”
Maeve snapped her head up and glared at him. “Get out of my head.”
Another smile. “But it’s so amusing.”
Before she could respond, he whisked her away toward a bonfire. Sparks crackled and threads of smoke curled up into the air. The low beating of drums sounded, a rhythmic melody that sent her blood racing. She watched the other females around her, the ones who seemed to understand the dance was sensual in nature, and it was then she foolishly realized she wasn’t dancing with Tiernan.
She was dancing for him.
The tempo began and Maeve stumbled once, unsure of the movements. Then her hips began to sway of their own accord. Startled, she looked up at Tiernan. He stared back, his hands tucked behind his back, his mask of gold giving nothing away. There was no smirk. No smile. But she could feel him. His magic overtook her, overwhelmed her, and suddenly she was dancing. She moved around the fire, following the other female fae, mimicking their motions with perfect accuracy. Her mind tried to fight, to battle against the strength of his power, but she was lost to him. At that moment, he owned her. And it was terrifying. She twirled, alight with the rush of heat coursing through her. Her arms reached over her head, her fingers played the air like a musical instrument. Each step was light and graceful. Every spin was like being wrapped in ribbons of silk. Decadent and sultry. The drumming pounded, and when Maeve whipped around, she was in front of Tiernan again. Her heart thundered and mortification burned her cheeks while she dragged her hands over her thighs, hips, and breasts before him.
He said nothing. But his hand captured her waist and he guided her closer, so she was flush against him. She drew in a ragged breath, and tiny beads of sweat slid down her back. His magic carried her up on her toes, and she stepped back. Once. Twice. And when her body whirled away, shame dug its claws along her back when she was forced to rub herself upon him like a cat in heat. It was brief, but she felt him then. The hard press of his erection nudged against her backside. Anger clogged her throat. She couldn’t think. She couldn’t breathe. She could only dance around the fiery flames once more. Except now the air was pungent and the curls of smoke caused her eyes to water.
