Page 31 of Entranced By the Nakken
“I’m Anna. You look badass.”
“Many thanks to Sophie,” Tsunis deferred to their hostess, but Sophie waved dismissively.
Tsunis’ gaze caught Casimir, a blush heating their neck as everyone discussed their appearance. Tsunis fought not to fidget with the diamond netting on their legs. Casimir’s eyes drank Tsunis in, but his features were carved of stone.
“It was the most practical decision. This loincloth is much like the leathers worn by Glacia’s hardened warriors.” Tsunis crossed their arms. “As such, it is most comfortable.” They glanced around at the stunned faces and scowled. Must they spell everything out? “I’m a Glacisian warrior. This is my natural attire. Though, our armor has a longer strip in front, and I feel bare without the weapons belt for my violin.”
The room was silent. Glacia have mercy, being around humans was more disorienting than they’d expected. This was a bad idea. Tsunis’ gaze drifted to the exit.
Casimir crossed the room in two long strides. Their mate’s hands closed around their cheeks as he planted a kiss on their pursed lips then trailed soft fingertips down, teasing their flesh everywhere the sheer fabric interrupted the velvet pattern of the blouse.
Tsunis relaxed, watching Casimir’s green-flecked eyes admire every inch of their scantily clad body. Hunger andsomething else, something they knew was only for them, twinkled in Casimir’s gaze when it met theirs.
“Wow.” Casey dropped his hands to Tsunis’ waist, thumbs circling the divot of their hip bones. He leaned close and whispered, “I can’t wait to rip those fishnets off you later.”
Tsunis’ eyes narrowed. They barely bit back a retort, but of course, Casimir only chuckled.
“I’m so lucky to have the most beautiful person in the crowd to cheer me on,” Casimir said, louder, and kissed Tsunis’ again. “Thank you for agreeing to come. It really means everything to me.”
Emerald swirled in Casimir’s eyes, lulling Tsunis into a trance. They swayed toward him, drawn by the tide itself. Casimir’s palm caught their lower back, pressing their hips together so Tsunis felt the evidence of their effect on him.
A loud rhythmic pounding that ended with the trill of a symbol broke the spell, and Tsunis followed the sound to where Anna assailed the drums with the beat of Casimir’s song. Tsunis raised a knuckle to their lip and listened intently, their excitement growing with the rising tempo.
Anna stopped playing before reaching the intensity of the chorus. She ran a hand over her shaved head and cast Tsunis a bashful smile. “So?”
“The song Casimir discovered is transformative. Your energy and aptitude will serve the song well.” They didn’t feel the need to say she wasn’t playing with her whole spirit. It was Casimir’s spirit song, and it was enough that she was trying. “I’m glad it’s you performing beside him tonight.”
“Wow!” Anna released her breath with a whoosh. “Thank you. I’ve been worried, you know, Casey and Sophie used to make music together, but I’ve never done anything like this.”
“Do not worry, Anna,” Tsunis drawled, dipping their chin in a bow. “You will execute the rendition exquisitely.”
“The fuck?” Casimir glanced between Tsunis and Anna. “They’ve literally never complimented my shit like that.”
“Not true, pupil.”
“Okay, team. It’s crunch time.” Sophie announced. “Let’s take it from the top. Remember, our goddamn lives are on the line!” Tsunis’ eyes bulged. Sophie nudged them with her elbow. “AKA, the chance to open for Restless Villainess Revival.”
Casimir leaned close and whispered, “Our second favorite band in high school.”
“Pshh, they’re still my second favorite band,” Sophie tossed over her shoulder as she strapped on her guitar. “Yours, too, Casey. Deep down. Don’t lie.”
Casimir shrugged.
Noah took a seat on the couch and motioned for Tsunis to do the same. They did and were immediately glad for it as the song started up and their balance wavered like an anemone’s appendages at sea.
Anna set the mood with a resonating bass drum. Sophie joined with an atmospheric rhythm. Casimir’s gritty strings wove it all together.
Tsunis thought they were prepared. The concert hadn’t started yet, but the moment Casimir opened his tantalizing lips, Tsunis was lost. Disoriented, stolen by the freedom of Casimir’s spirit song billowing in the pulsing waves of the drums.
The band repeated the song multiple times before closing the session, and Tsunis could finally breathe without drowning.
“What did you think, Tsunis?” Anna inquired, shooting a pointed look to where Noah cheered, both hands cupped around his mouth as an amplifier. “It’s your song, too. Do we do it justice?”
“It is not my song,” Tsunis snapped. “I was merely the catalyst for Casimir to uncover it. I believe in his song like I believe in my next breath.”
“So?” Sophie implored. “How did we do?”
Tsunis closed their eyes, considering their words before addressing the captive audience.
