Page 35 of Fire & Ice

Beau

"Charlie," I replied cautiously, my grip on Tempest's waist tightening ever so slightly. "I didn't expect to see you here." I was filled with trepidation, though I didn't know why.

"Ah, well, you know me, always one for surprises," Charlie tried to lighten the mood with his light-hearted tone, but the tension was still palpable in the air. He glanced at Tempest, and his eyes widened in appreciation. "Tempest, you look beautiful tonight," he said sincerely.

"Thank you, Charlie," she said, her cheeks flushing at the compliment, but her eyes were wary, watchful.

"Care for a dance?" Charlie asked with a bow, extending a hand towards her.

I felt my fangs itching to come out, but I calmed myself down, knowing that jealousy was unnecessary. Tempest and I were mated and bonded. I could feel her love for me through our connection. But that didn't stop the thought of this halfling having his hands on her from making my stomach churn. Tempest hesitated, her eyes darting between Charlie and me, looking for an answer.

Finally, she spoke, her voice soft and hesitant. "Charlie, I..."

“Go on. Dance," I urged gently, my grip on her loosening. She looked up at me with a smile, and I felt my heart skip a beat. "Alright," she conceded, placing her hand in Charlie's. I watched them walk toward the dance floor, a whisper of something not quite right wafting about my senses.

"Prince Beau, I hope I'm not intruding," Deakon said smoothly, appearing beside me like a shadow.

"Of course not, councilman," I replied, turning to face him. "What can I do for you?"

Deakon

"I just wanted to congratulate you on your mating. This celebration was the least the council could do to show our support," I said. “It's a beautiful and timely match."

"Thank you," Beau replied, his cold blue eyes glinting in the candlelight. "I'm glad you think so."

"I've heard that your coronation will be expedited, and that it is planned to be quite an extravagant event. We may even have representatives from the Northern Kingdom in attendance."

Beau's eyes flicked to mine, and for a moment, I thought I saw a flash of something in his expression, but then it was gone. "Indeed," he said, before he turned away slightly, his eyes locked on Tempest and Charlie as they danced. "It is a celebration of life and love, after all."

"Ah, love," I mused, letting my voice trail off suggestively. "An emotion that can bring both great joy and agonizing pain."

"True," Beau agreed, his knuckles white as he clenched his fists. “However, love can also be a powerful force for good. It can motivate us to do great things and to be strong in the face of adversity.”

I watched Beau as he watched Tempest glide around the ballroom in Charlie's arms. Even I had to admit, she was a vision. Every time she twirled past, Beau seemed to shed a lifetime of tension and stress. It was as if he would explode if she wasn't near him. As if sensing his need, Tempest's eyes met Beau's over Charlie's head, and she gave him a smile brighter than the new moon. I felt like a voyeur intruding on such an intimate moment, but I had bigger dragons to slay.

"I could not agree with you more, my prince. But we have more important matters than love to discuss. Your Grace, could we talk somewhere quiet?"

Beau finally responded, "Of course, Deakon."

With one last glance at Tempest, he forced himself to leave the ballroom. He gestured for me to follow him with a tilt of his head. We walked through the halls until he led me to a quiet study, far away from the commotion.

The door to the study creaked open, revealing a room filled with the scent of leather-bound books and aged oak. The study was small and cozy, with a fireplace burning in the hearth. There was a desk in the corner, and a few comfortable chairs arranged around a coffee table. He closed the door behind us and turned to me.

Beau motioned for me to sit down, while he himself remained standing. His posture was rigid, and his eyes were focused intently on me. I felt a sense of anticipation building inside of me like Sara's ivy, crawling up my spine and filling me with excitement.

"Beau," I began, my voice laced with gravity, "there have been a great many whispers floating around."

"Yes, I know, and the council has them all in hand, do you not?"

I could feel Sara, hidden in the darkness just beyond the room's entrance, listening intently.

"I'm not sure yet," I continued. "The element anomalies are definitely...unique. They're not like anything we've ever seen before. They're not even like the elemental anomalies that happened during the last great war three millennia ago before the kingdom’s fracture."

"Unique?" Beau echoed. "My brother has narrowed down the list to three nature halfling women who may be co-conspirators, and I've heard that you've been consorting with one of them. Which makes me question your suggestion for this ball."

My eyes narrowed as Beau's words hit me like a ton of bricks. "What are you insinuating?" I growled, my hands clenched into fists at my sides.

Beau held up his hands in a placating gesture. "I'm not insinuating anything, Deakon. I'm merely pointing out that in his investigations, my brother has come to believe that the halfling woman we have intel on is not acting alone. That there may be others involved, perhaps even among those on the royal council themselves."

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