Page 124 of Riftborne
A smile crept up my lips as I started towards him.
CHAPTER 45
The energyin the courtyard was exciting, verging on dangerous. This was a different world. The members here certainly lived life to the fullest, absorbing all the revelry that they could, while they could. There was a sense of urgency to take it all in. To live.
I swore I could see it in the twinkle of the man’s eyes—a challenge to let go. I could do that. I needed to, or else I’d be stuck in my room, with nothing on my mind but the General…
No. Be in the moment.
With a confidence I had never known, amplified by the liquor, I strolled over to him, catching the way his eyes traced my form. Adding a subtle sway to my hips, I approached, concealing my amusement as one of his buddies jabbed him playfully in the side.
“And what brings us the pleasure of having the General's Riftborne sidekick in our midst?” teased another one of his friends. I didn't flinch.
Fine by me, being the odd one out here.
My smile turned sickly sweet as I faced the one who spoke. He seemed two bottles deep, blonde hair all over the place, like he'd been unsuccessfully pushing it back all evening.
"Hoping for a drink and some entertainment. Think you're up for it?" My gaze found its way back to the dark-haired guy, his blue eyes still sparkling with promise.
"I'm Fia, by the way."
"I’m Ren. That’s Hayden," he replied, smiling and leaning forward in his seat, forearms resting on the table. "I can help with the drink, but subjecting a lady like you to this lot's entertainment? Wouldn't dare."
"Hey! We're plenty entertaining!" Hayden protested, nearly toppling off his chair as he reached for another bottle.
"I’ll be the judge of that." I shot them a wicked grin and leaned against the table.
"Then by all means..." Ren handed me a bottle, contents uncertain. I tossed it back, savoring the sweet warmth of wine.
When I looked up, Ren was smiling at me again. His dark hair was close-cropped, and his features, sharp at the edges, gave him a somewhat feminine allure compared to Laryk’s harsh lines. I shook the comparison from my head.
“So why did you tag along with the General? I thought only Narissa did that,” Ren questioned.
“You’ll have to ask him.” I smirked, taking another long sip of the wine. Hearing her name made my ears burn.
“Sounds like there’s some tension there.” The blonde one laughed.
“I’m just looking for fun tonight.”
“Do I look fun to you?” Ren asked, a curious glimmer in his eyes.
“I wouldn’t be here otherwise.” Even I was shocked by my behavior tonight.
He stood and approached me, confidence showing in every step. His hand found its way to my lower back as if we'd known each other longer than this fleeting moment.
I felt the warmth of his breath at my ear, and my eyes flutteredclosed, anticipating the meaningless sweet nothings that would clear my mind and this endless ache.
But the words didn't come.
I slowly opened my eyes. The courtyard’s rowdy noises had hushed.
All I heard was the subtle clink of blades and footsteps heading toward our table.
"Nice to see everyone's fully prepared for an attack." Laryk’s cold words pierced through the quiet, dripping with sarcasm.
I didn't dare turn around.
"General! We were just messing around! Plans of finishing up soon." Hayden scrambled to regain his composure.
