Page 131 of Of Storm and Emerald
She was about to excuse herself when she felt a strong presence at her back.
“Good evening, ladies.” The smokey tenor of his voice made her skin pebble, and she had to focus on keeping her breaths even and her knees from giving out. “You wouldn’t mind if I borrowed Princess Auraelia for a dance, would you?” By the sound of his voice, he was trying to hold onto the final threads of decorum before they slipped from his grasp.
He hadn’t laid a single finger on her, but his mere presence made her skin buzz and the fine hairs on her body to stand on end. His body practically vibrated with rage andneed, and it sent a wave of heat to her core. She knew he’d seen her dancing with Syrus. She’d seen him leaning against one of the walls as Syrus led her across the floor. Saw the way his eyes lit with anger and his magic swirled in their depths. He’d clenched his jaw so tightly that veins began to protrude at his temples, especially when Syrus’ hand continuously dipped too low.
She hadn’t meant to make him mad, or jealous. But if that’s what it took to get him to be near her, then so be it.
Yvaine smirked, “Not at all, dear brother. But does the princesswantto dance with you? I seem to recall that you step on the ladies' feet.”
Lady Aesira’s eyes widened and a smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. She took a sip of her bourbon to try and hide her chuckle.
“Dearest sister, I do believe that wasyou.The princess and I have partnered before, and if I remember correctly, I have always left her toes unscathed.”
Auraelia covered her mouth to stifle a snicker, and Yvaine shrugged then turned her attention back to Lady Aesira, their conversation picking up right where it left off.
“Your Highness.” His voice was a silky caress and low enough for only her ears.
She turned, and he bowed as he extended his hand for her to take. She dropped into a curtsy, then placed her hand in his and let him lead her out onto the dance floor.
All eyes were on them as Daemon led her in their dance.
His hold was strong and sure, never faltering as he spun her around the floor. But his shoulders were tense, and there was a small wrinkle between his brows.
“What’s wrong?” She kept her voice barely above a whisper, but it was loud enough that it brought his gaze down to hers.
“I didn’t like seeing you dance with that snake.” Auraelia’s brows lifted. For a man calling someone else a snake, Daemon’s tone dripped venom.
“Lord Syrus?” she asked.
He didn’t answer, but his nostrils flared with annoyance and the grip on her hand tightened slightly.
“Ahh. Well, Daemon. I’m not overly fond of him either, but he asked me to dance and as I didn’t have a legitimate reason to say no, I had to agree.”
He took a deep breath, and roughly exhaled through his nose before speaking. “I don’t like seeing you smiling and laughing with other men. I selfishly want to be the only one who gets to bask in the warmth of your gaze. But seeing you touched by another man? Fuck, Auraelia. It fills me with inexplicable rage, and I want nothing more than to rip the offending limbs from their bodies–” his gaze was intense as it locked on to hers, “You’remine, Auraelia. Mine.”
His possessive words vibrated through her body and resonated with something in her soul. Something about the way he claimed her set a spark in her chest.
Her eyes softened under his strong gaze, and she smiled. “I know, Daemon. I’m yours, just as much as you’re mine.”
The song came to an end, and they begrudgingly went their separate ways. Keeping up the pretense that they were merely holding up political alliances.
The rest of the night was much of the same.
She made the rounds through the room, making sure to welcome people to court and to Lyndaria. Giving them suggestions of places in town that may be of interest and encouraging people to explore the area.
She danced with Xander and Ser Aeron, but Daemon didn’t seek her out again. Though she understood why, it didn’t keep her from wishing that he would. But it didn’t stop him from touching her from a distance.
He continuously sent his shadows to trail velvety caresses up her arms or across her back, forever letting her know he was watching. The few times that their paths crossed, they did so close enough that their fingers would brush, and each time was like a lightning bolt shooting through her.
By the time the festivities came to a close, and she and Piper made it back to her suite, Auraelia was an exhausted bundle of need.
Every look, every touch–phantom or otherwise–throughout the night sent a wave of heat through her body.
“Piper, would you please undo this goddess-forsaken gown? I feel like I’m melting.”
Piper chucked as she stepped up behind her and began undoing the laces on the back of the gown.
It was a simple dress made of gorgeous deep teal satin that shifted between being more blue or green depending on the lighting. The bodice was a sweetheart design, with a vee cut down between her breasts that was backed with shimmering mesh.
