Page 19 of Of Storm and Emerald
“Well, here’s your chance. Converse with me. Try towoome. We already know that you are very talented at seducing me. You’ve had part of my body, and I have agreed to that again. But my mind and my heart are much harder to obtain.”
All that he could do was stare into her eyes as he continued to guide them across the dance floor, trying not to falter as she spoke her truth.
“If you merely want me for my body, then by all means take me. I can give you that without giving you my mind or my heart. But do not speak sweet lies to me about wanting my heart and my mind if you don’t mean it. If you want me, all of me, it won’t come easily.”
Auraelia straightened her spine and lifted her chin in defiance. “The choice is as much yours as it is mine, but I will not leave myself vulnerable to the heartbreak that you could undoubtedly cause, should I open my heart to you without forethought. If you want a dalliance, that’s fine. We can play this game until you inevitably return to the Sapphire Isles. But if you truly want more…Showme.”
Auraelia seemed to have timed her speech to end with the song and as it did, he gently pulled her from the dance floor and away from prying eyes and listening ears.
“Auraelia, I meant everything that I said. I want to learn every corner of your mind as well as every curve of your body. I am drawn to you in a way that I do not understand, and you intrigue me. Even from the short time we’ve been acquainted, I’ve seen different sides to you. I’ve seen the mischievous, wanton goddess in the dark of night. I’ve seen the political princess command the room. You are stubborn and challenging as well as beautiful and kind…” Daemon gently caressed her cheek, then grabbed her chin between his thumb and forefinger, making her hold his gaze, “I wantyou. For however long you will have me.”
He watched as a beautiful pink flush crept across her cheeks.
Releasing his hold on her chin, he gestured towards the refreshments table that had been set out after dinner. “Would you like a drink, my star?” he asked while offering his arm for her to take.
Auraelia nodded and placed her hand in the crook of his elbow. As they walked across the room, she whispered, “Might I ask you a question?”
He snickered. “Of course, how else are we supposed to get to know one another?”
“Why did you call memy starlast night, and why do you continue to do so now, even knowing who I am?”
When he glanced at her, he found her looking at him as well.
“I called you that last night because while you were observing the people around you, I was observing you. I noticed you as soon as you stepped foot in the room. The light from the chandeliers made your dress twinkle like thousands of stars in the night sky. You were, and continue to be, absolutely breathtaking.”
Auraelia’s blush deepened, and a small, demure smile broke across her face. “And now? Why continue calling me that, when you know my name?”
“A few reasons, really. The first being that I love seeing how it makes your eyes light with excitement,” he said with a smirk on his face. “The second, being that your name meansgolden oneso it kind of fits, don’t you think? And finally, you remind me of home.”
“I’m not sure I understand what you mean. How do I remind you of home? We’ve only just met?”
“Wine or whiskey?” he asked as they reached the refreshments table.
“What?” she asked, thrown by the change in questioning. “Oh. Whiskey, please.”
He grabbed two glasses and handed one to Auraelia before guiding her to a bench set along the windows. They sat and he took a sip of his drink. The woodsy flavor was accented with a hint of blackberry that left a tingle in his throat and warmed him from the inside.
“Daemon?”
“Right, sorry. How much do you know about the Sapphire Isles?”
“Not much, if I’m being honest. Aside from the history between our courts, I know that you are seafaring people who control the majority of the imports and exports within Ixora, but not too much outside of that.”
He let out a low laugh and smiled. “Yes, we are seafaring people, which is how you remind me of home.”
When she drew her brows together in confusion, he quickly elaborated.
“When we’re at sea, we use the stars to navigate. Sailors are drawn to the North Star because it is a constant fixation in the sky. Never faltering, always shining.” He grabbed Auraelia’s free hand from her lap and began rubbing tiny circles around her knuckles. He hadn’t even realized he’d done it until her hand gently squeezed his, encouraging him to continue.
“I was drawn to you like a sailor to the North Star. I feel you when you enter the room, it’s like the air becomes charged with static and I’m automatically aware of your presence. I don’t know why; I wish that I did. But you, Auraelia, are my star. You have a gravitational pull that tugs at my soul.” Releasing her hand, he nervously ran his fingers through his hair. “I know that it sounds crazy. Hell, it sounds crazy to me, but it is my truth.”
Auraelia sat there in silence as the weight of his words settled between them. After what felt like an eternity, she smiled. “It does sound crazy, but what’s life without a little insanity? Would you like to dance?”
He smiled.
It wasn’t the courteous grin that he would freely give to those around him. Nor was it the smirk that he’d given her many times over, the one that always made her eyes widen and caused her breath to catch.
It was a real smile.
