Page 77 of A City of Flames

A staggered breath releases from me when his arm wraps around my waist, and the other grasps my hand, now switching into a different position.

“Though I’m reluctant to let you go,” he murmurs.

“Then don’t.” And I mean it in hopes he will agree and continue dancing with me, so Darius doesn’t get the chance. But he chuckles, starting to move us in almost a square, one step, two steps, three—

“That’s not how it works,” he says all the while I’m looking to see I don’t tread on him. “Unless there’s another reason why you are so hesitant to switch partners.”

My eyes dart up at his cautious gaze. “Like I said, I don’t like the idea of dancing with someone I don’t know.” Or, in this case, an annoying dragon.

Lorcan doesn’t look convinced, but I keep my firm stare on him. He parts his lips, intending to say whatever is on his mind, but the drums beat twice, and he lets go of me. “Spin to your left,” he whispers as another woman in a blood-orange tulle dress swivels towards him.

Numbly, I do the same, partnering up with someone new—I have no clue who he is. But he smiles, repeating all previous movements I done with Lorcan. I’m unaware if I’m doing all the steps correctly or replying to the small mindless words of what is your name? each person I switch to asks me. I’m only focusing on who I’m nearing.

Darius.

Our eyes lock between every partner we whirl towards, and I swallow the heart at my throat. With each twirl, I bow to a new person; with each minute the music continues, I look over to the queen, staring at me with narrowing eyes until... until I’m facing the roguish expression of Darius.

“You look—” His gaze roams over my gown as we bow, and then he smiles. “Hideous.”

I roll my eyes as I raise my hand to his and the tips of my fingers—where the glove doesn’t cover it—feel the warmth of his skin.

“No compliment towards me, Naralía?”

Never.

“Nara,” I reiterate as we turn. “And I will never compliment someone like you, your head is already big enough that I’m surprised it doesn’t drag you down.”

He chuckles brightly as we switch hands and glide the other way. “You’re right. Tibith sometimes has to hold my head upright.”

I have to give it to him. He never cares for such insults, takes life like it’s a breeze, no wonder he’s always ready for fun. “What are you doing here anyway? Isn’t this too much of a risk?”

“I’ve taken a lot of risks lately, Goldie.” Another bow and specks from the chandelier flash upon his features. “This just happens to be my wildest one yet.”

I frown at the way he says that, without a hint of his familiar mocking smile. Trusting someone who is on the path to becoming a venator is a risk. But I have already taken too many myself, and it all began because of Darius. “How do you even know this dance?”

He grips my waist, bringing me in, and my chest knocks against his, too close for comfort. “I know a lot of things, unlike you.”

An icy shard of anger impales me and as we begin moving to the music, I clamp my heel down on his boot, hard enough to dent the white marble beneath us. It’s not a mistake; nothing to say that it’s me being clumsy... I did it on purpose. And his strained groan makes me smile, until his eyes dance with mirth, nodding as if saying he deserved that.

I smother an irritated huff before something that’s been on my mind comes up once I glance at his hand. “Why don’t you have any shifter tattoos?”

Amber eyes flicker to my hand. “Why are you covering up your scar with a glove?”

Hesitating, I remember he’d seen it the day I fought him, but I quickly recover. “Why do you care if I cover it up or not?” He’s the one deflecting why he doesn’t have tattoos, and I know I won’t get an answer to that anytime soon.

“Because the dark leather doesn’t favor that gown of yours.”

I make a face, albeit an irked one, at the amusement tinging those words. “You’re—”

“Handsome?” He grins. “Thank you, Goldie.”

I scoff at his arrogance. It’s like he wants me to despise him.

“Ambrose!” Rydan says cheerfully, appearing to the side of us when the drums sound. “I know the woman is supposed to twirl to a different person, but I figured I’d switch it up.” He presses his lips into a smile, placing a hand to his chest. “You are most welcome.”

I’ve never grinned so grandly at Rydan before or remotely been pleased to see him approach me. But eager to switch, I lurch forward when Darius blocks me as he turns and offers instead, “Why don’t you dance with someone more desirable? Nara here is anything but that.”

Oh, he did not.

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