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Picking one up, I raise it to the light and watch with glee as it shimmers.
Feeling a small measure of relief, I turn, ready to head back the way I came, when my gaze is drawn to a pair of golden-brown eyes. His hair is the same color as mine but cut short against his head.
“Well, hello there. What have I done to meet such a beauty this fine evening?” His voice is deep, almost a raspy growl. It is a complete contradiction to his relaxed posture and easy-going expression as he leans against the wall. His shirt pulls tight against his chest, revealing a muscular build, and the look he gives me is anything but innocent, making me think the move is intentional.
He glances from my face to the wine in my hands, his smile only widening. “Or maybe it isn’t me you were looking for?” he says, amusement toying with his lips.
I clear my throat, scrambling to think of something that will get me out of this. “I was told this room had the best wine in the palace.”
He nods, the amusement now a growing glimmer in his eyes. “You would be right, butwhomay I ask informed you of this?”
I tighten my hold on the bottle of wine. “A…friend.” Veles isn’t someone I would call a friend yet, but our blood vow made sure we would have to help each other until the deal was complete.
The man straightens up, and I notice that he’s at least a head and a half taller than me. His frame is much larger than I initially thought too, having the physique of a warrior.
“Thisfriendsent you here. Alone?” he asks as a small frown furrows his brow.
I narrow my eyes on him, wondering where he is going with this. “And if he did?”
“Thenheis a fool not to have kept you to himself.” He steps toward me slowly, the frown clearing from his face as his easy smile reappears.
When he gets close enough, I start sizing him up, my years of training already spotting where I should aim to take him down.
He seems to notice my perusal for exactly what it is, and his brows raise as his entire face transforms into something I can only describe as delight.
“I remember you. You were part of the first trial. You fought with passion and great skill.” He clicks his fingers. “Seren. A name and face I should not have forgotten.”
My eyes quickly scan him again. He was most definitely not in the arena, nor in any of the seats that surrounded it. I would have remembered someone of his size, his wolfish presence not something I could forget. But I did feel watchful eyes in that shadowed stage.
“How is it that you have no issue with someone slipping into your room without your knowing?” I ask him, wondering why he has not called the guards on me or thrown me out yet. Or at least attempted to take the bottle of wine from me.
He moves closer, and when I don’t move a muscle, he continues until he is right in front of me. He studies my face, his eyes growing hooded.
“I find Sidus women to be the most beautiful women I have ever met. Add a woman who knows how to fight, and you have no idea of the power you wield.”
I raise a brow. “I am only interested in the wine in my hand.”
His smile grows wicked. “Then how about I make you a little offer? A trade of sorts.”
I narrow my eyes on the suggestive look he gives me. “What kind of trade?”
“You can have the entire bottle of wine to do with as you will.”
“And in return?” I ask.
His eyes dip to my lips, and I know instantly what his request will be.
“In return, all I would ask for is a little…kiss.”
My spine straightens. “I would rather a different kind of trade, or maybe a deal?”
His chuckle rumbles from his chest as his eyes light up. “You would choose a deal that could end up being anything over a small kiss with a handsome man?”
“That you would conceive yourself handsome tells me I should instantly choose the deal.”
A peal of laughter resounds around the room, his entire body relaxing as he shakes his head at me with a soft smile.
“Seren. What a joy it is to meet someone who?—”
