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Either way, I’m grateful for the out.
“I would love to.” I take his offered hand, eager to escape this conversation. The touch is electric. It sends a surge of energy between our bodies that tingles like static.
“Enjoy the rest of your night,” Finn calls as we turn and leave Summer behind.
“Thanks for the save,” I say once we’re far enough away that she won’t overhear.
“I could sense you struggling from across the building.”
“Not surprising. I am so not cut out for all this political coven crap.” I’m starting to understand why Elara had reservations about coming here tonight.
“Anything I should be aware of?”
I can’t tell my over-protective mate that the bitch called me a vampire-loving power slut and a traitor like my mother and grandmother. That would end the evening in blood spray. “Nothing I can’t handle.”
“Well, let me know if it ever becomes more than you can handle.”
I squeeze his hand in mine. “Will do.”
By the time we find an open space among the other dancers, the song is dying down, petering out slowly and giving us a minute to sway. Finn wraps his arm around my waist, holding me close and turning in a lazy circle while I rest my head on his shoulder.
“I knew, somewhere in the back of my mind that there would be witches who blame my grandmother for how things turned out, but I…” I trail off, my gaze landing on Summer across the room where she’s talking with another witch, both of them glaring my way with obvious hostility. “I wasn’t prepared to deal with it tonight.”
“You shouldn’t have to,” Finn says, “And you don’t. Think about tonight as closing one chapter of your life and coming into a new era.”
I could use a fresh start like that.
“That’s a really good idea.”
“I know,” he says, a grin spreading across his face, dimples hidden behind his mask. “Now stop thinking and dance with me.”
Finn spins me as the tempo changes, and when I hit his chest again, my feet are moving on their own, following the Celt’s lead with an ease that shocks me. I love to dance, but I’ve never felt confident in my ability—especially not something as complicated as the Waltz.
With Finn, it doesn’t matter. We’re moving so quickly I don’t have the opportunity to overthink the steps. The whole room narrows down to the two of us until it’s just his hand on my hip and his graceful strides leading us across the dance floor.
With each twirl, a surge of exhilaration washes over me, a heady rush of adrenaline that leaves me breathless and panting into Finn’s chest in the next lull between songs.
“Where did you run off to?” I ask as we sway. “I turned around and you were all gone.”
“I may have been snooping,” Finn answers close to my ear, his breath tickling my curls. “I was hoping to find some clues about where the dagger might be.”
The mention of the sunstone dagger cuts through my good mood and puts me right back in the middle of reality.
“So there was an ulterior motive to you wanting to be my date tonight, was there?”
Finn frowns. “My only goal tonight is to share a dance with you, Josie. Stop worrying so much and enjoy your night with the dashing vampire who thinks the world of you.”
Sometimes my Celt is so smooth I think he’s using his ability on me and altering my emotions. He’s not—Finn’s effect on me is just that effortless. I’m positive he could take me from a total tailspin to a peaceful nap in a matter of minutes.
“Tonight was supposed to be a break from everything stressful, dangerous, and world-ending,” I say, unable to scrub thoughts of the sunstone dagger and werewolf attacks from my brain now that he’s brought it up.
“I’m sorry I mentioned it. Work time is over. There is only this night.” He twirls me around and sends me spinning so fast everything blurs in front of me and I’m afraid my feet will fumble in these heels and snag on my dress.
Before I can fall on my arse and embarrass myself, he’s there, catching me in his sturdy arms and setting the pace for our dance once more.
“Have I told you how absolutely radiant you are this evening, Miss Dumont?”
“I could stand to be told again,” I tease, caught by the brilliance of his emerald eyes behind his mask.
