Page 197 of Captive of Secrets and Storms

37

The skittering pressure of the room’s attention reminds me of ants crawling over my skin.

I yearn to scratch the itch, to scowl to discourage their unwanted stares, but Rian’s swirling silver irises hold me hostage. There’s no escape as he leads me across the dance floor.

My fight against the lust licking my veins falters. Desire soars to new heights in his arms. The taut string between us is so visceral, so natural. So unlike the manufactured sensations the pink drink made me feel with Leto.

An ominous, prickly sensation originates from the direction of the dais. I’d bet all the medicines in my healer’s satchel that it comes from Iris.

A tendril of shadow encircles the base of Rian’s exposed throat. I follow its smooth movement with my eyes. Tingles gather in my fingertips where my skin touches his.

Rian and I are something.

What? I’m not sure.

It could be as Rian claims. The pull linking me to the Shadow Prince could be nothing more than latent Fae instinct.

And if it is, what does it matter?

That does not make the feelings any less potent. Any less real.

No matter how much I try to convince myself otherwise.

The shadow around his throat flickers out of sight, then reappears and dances down his corded forearm before weaving itself around our joined hands.

I swallow the lump in my throat. “How are you doing that?”

A glance confirms that the crowd is a pale, sweaty, trembling mess. No one sees his shadows.

“Doing what?” Rian’s gravelly voice travels over me, sending a tremor down my spine.

Without warning, he spins me out of his arms. When he draws me in, my back is pressed to his front.

Heat crawls up my neck when evidence of his arousal presses against me.

He dips his head so his lips brush against my ear. “Do you feel that, Elara? Do you feel what you do to me?”

What is happening?!

My wild eyes sweep the room. Dancing couples, lost in the joy of their manufactured ecstasy, dominate my vision before Hali glides into view. She’s dancing with a new partner, a man I don’t recognize. But I do recognize the pretty headpiece adorning her lush brown hair. It was Daphne’s.

I recall Augustus saying her name.

Did she win the contest?

Is the accessory Hali’s prize?

What favor will she ask for?

A low laugh flows into my ear. “Are you ignoring me?”

I suppress a shiver. “I’m trying to.”

Rian’s lips curl against my hair. “Really? I can scent your arousal. I feel the way your body responds to me.”

He drops his head and nips at my shoulder with a pointed fang.

A gasp breaks free from my lips.