Page 9 of The Lawgiver's Firebrand
Once the guests had arrived, she teetered on high heels from group to group, her hand grasping the lawgiver’s arm.
Her thoughts wandered as bigwigs droned on and on, recounting their importance to the realm. Their travels. Their conquests. Daire patted her curled fingers, drawing her attention. When she glanced at the group surrounding him, they stared at her.
She’d missed something.
The female lawgiver, Nerina, repeated, “Who in your family before you served as a Scath warrior? Your mother? Your father?”
“Hardly.” Proud of her restraint, Ari smothered a snort. “Neither. My grandmother, Wynnfrith. She was my role model and my hero.”
“I knew her,” said Nerina. “Not well, but enough to admire the witch. I was sorry to hear a harpy had killed her. Scath lost a brave defender.”
A faint smile curved Ari’s lips while she nodded. Her grandmother had a great rep among Firebrands, once partnered with the Covenkirk stronghold’s Commander Kole. It was nice to know she was admired elsewhere.
Daire dragged her to another flock of partygoers, frowning when she wobbled on the stiletto heels. “I am not accustomed to these shoes. Forgive me, boss.”
He grinned. “Had I not sent them, I feared you’d arrive in scuffed boots.”
She rolled her eyes, his snarky comment not deserving a verbal response.
A waiter stopped, his tray filled with drinks. Snagging two glasses of champagne, Daire offered her one.
Ari shook her head. “When I’m on duty, I must keep a focused mind and my hands free.”
He returned hers to the tray, signaling the waiter to move on. When Daire leaned over near her ear, his hot breath tickled it. “I enjoyed our encounter the other night when you were a bit drunk.”
“Tipsy. Didn’t my boots bother you?”
“I’d like you to leave them on when we fuck.”
Her heart pounded in an erratic rhythm. “Aren’t you all shiny and hopeful.”
“Certain.”
Ari went on the offensive, afraid her attraction to the incubus flashed in her eyes. “You’re too old for me.”
His hand clasped his chest, but he smiled, obviously not offended. “Not too old. Perhaps too experienced.”
She snapped a retort. Too quickly. “I’ve had lots of sex.”
“I’m happy for you. But of course, never with me.”
Ari took a deep breath to steady her response to Daire. But they were interrupted.
****
Dairejerked his head, glancing around the room. “Do you smell something?”
“No,” said Ari, her gaze also sweeping the gathering.
A wolf shifter on the dance floor tilted her nose into the air, sniffing. She shouted, “Fire!”
Daire observed Ari’s training kick in fast. She toed off her heels, letting them fall on the tiled floor. Reaching for the hem of her expensive gown, she lifted it and ripped the fabric until it ended above her knees, giving her the freedom to move.
She gripped Daire’s elbow. “I’ll get you out of here.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.” He yanked out of her grasp. “Do not take the elevator.”
“Duh.”
