Page 87 of Of Storm and Emerald
But just as he reached the outer edge of the group, Auraelia placed her hand in another man’s and Daemon had to watch as he led her out onto the dance floor.
With themain attractiongone, the rest of the group dispersed. But there were rumblings between other men about when they would get to spin the dazzling young princess around the floor.
Never, if I have anything to say about it.
By the time he made it to his mother, she had a cocky smirk on her face.
“Gloating doesn’t become you, Mother.”
“No more than sulking becomes you, son. I gave you the opportunity and you squandered it, so I took matters into my own hands. What I didnotsee coming, however, was you somehow managing to spur the women before you even clapped eyes on her. Whatever did you do, my love?”
“If I had an answer to that question, I would gladly give it to you.” He sighed. “Did you really have to pawn her off on Syrus, of all people?”
“Syrus is an excellent dancer, and since she didn’t seem too interested in dancing withyouat the moment, he was the next best option.”
Daemon scoffed. “Syrus is a snake, as is his father, Lord Cassius. Thankfully, my star can hold her own.” A smug grin crept onto his face.
Queen Avyanna laughed loudly, before quickly placing a hand over her mouth. “Oh, my dear, sweet boy. Are you sure that she’s stillyourstar? Seems she’s burning awfully bright for someone else at the moment.”
Daemon glanced towards Auraelia on the dance floor, and to anyone else it would look as if she was having the time of her life. But he saw traces of annoyance in the lines around her smile, and the laugh she produced was forced. He knew what genuine joy and amusement from her sounded and looked like, and that was not it.
It seemed as if he wasn’t the only one who noticed, because just as he took a step in her direction, Xander cut in, and he watched as her shoulders relaxed in the arms of her brother.
“Why don’t you ask Sariah to dance? She looks like she could use some fun.” His mother asked from behind him.
Daemon sighed but nodded his assent and headed off to find his friend.
Sariah was Yvaine’s ex-girlfriend, but she was still a dear friend of his. They’d all grown up together, so she was like another sister to him. She was beautiful. Her ivory skin had freckles scattered like constellations. Her eyes were unique, one a vivid blue and the other like crushed amber. But it was her fiery red hair that stood out like a beacon in the sea of souls at the party.
She stood alone by the table of refreshments, nursing a glass of sparkling wine.
“Care to dance?”
“Oh, thank the goddess, yes.”
Daemon took her hand in his and led her out to the floor. As the previous song came to an end, Auraelia was facing right at him.
Daemon watched as her eyes traveled from him to Sariah and back.
He noticed the subtle shift in the color of her eyes. Eyes that pulled more blue than usual, courtesy of the blue in her dress, were now a deep green and streaked with bright peridot lightning.
As he and Sariah approached, she inclined her head slightly in greeting. “Prince Daemon.”
The words were formal and drenched in ice water. There was no warmth in them, but an immense amount of anger.
He turned to watch her exit the dance floor, and it took everything in him not to go after her–he still had to be a welcoming host. As much as he wanted to, he couldn’t just fall at her feet and beg forgiveness for whatever had directed her ire in his direction.
Taking a deep breath, he turned back toward the floor, pulling Sariah with him.
“Well, she certainly was chilly. Want me to warm her up a bit?” Sariah joked, trying to lighten the mood. And since her abilities were related to fire, it normally would have worked.
“She’s mad at me for something.”
“Wait, youknowthe princess? Like, well enough for her to be mad at you? What did you get up to in Lyndaria, Daemon?”
“So,somuch.”
Sariah’s eyes widened slightly when she realized what he meant and nodded her head.
