SWNOVELS Chapter Thirty-One
Vali
Do you see what you’re doing to me? Do you see how much I crave you? Do you feel it?
Yes.
My cheeks burned as I sat at the dinner table, in the seat next to Adonis. My thighs rubbed together in a pitiful attempt to calm my body down. That was the first time that Mircea had reached his mind to mine, and from what I could tell it was completely accidental. A consequence to what he was doing, to what he was thinking and wishing.
I just wished it hadn’t happened the second after I sat down next to Adonis, next to the fae I was meant to be flirting with to get on his good side.
I can’t do this anymore, Vali. We either need to lock in the Bond or you need to break it. It’s up to you but I need a decision tonight before it kills me.
Okay.
At least that part had helped bring me down. Although maybe it hadn’t helped enough. No, it hadn’t stopped my heart from racing as Mircea had finally made it to the dining room and sat down across the table from me. My eyes had looked everywhere but at him. Except for how much I had studied him upon his entry.
His long hair was tied into a bun at the nape of his neck. Loose black pants that were gifted to him upon his arrival here and a silk button up shirt, one that was deep red and had the first four buttons left undone to show his chiselled chest. And his sleeves were rolled up to show his forearms, his muscular forearms. But the way he had looked at me when he walked in… it was so calm, like what had just transpired simply hadn’t. God, I was so entirely fucked.
“Are you okay, White Wolf?” Adonis asked as I finished my wine. Apparently when he heard we would be coming to visit him he organised a four course meal and a literal welcome party, it was easy to say he was my favourite of the leaders.
“I’m fine, just flustered sitting this close to the Fae King.” I replied with a smile as I put down the glass.
“Completely understandable, and the feeling would be mutual if it were true in the first place.” Adonis replied, a gentle smile on his face.
“It is true-”
“It’s not. I’m Fae, Vali, I cannot lie and I can easily tell when others do.” He said, pointing to one of the servers who then walked over and topped up our glasses of wine. “While you could also blame the wine, I would be more inclined to believe the vampire across from us is the reason behind your blush.” He whispered, leaning in close to my ear to do so. I picked up my wine glass and brought it to my lips, taking another mouthful of the spiced alcohol before putting it down.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I whispered back, turning towards the Fae King who was still close.
“Don’t think me stupid, I can smell it on the both of you, the Bond.” He pulled away then, and I was able to look at his cat-like eyes from a more comfortable distance. As I had been told, functions like this in Faerie were a lot more laid back than they were in the mortal realm. That much was evident in the fact the King sitting next to me wasn’t even wearing a shirt, just loose trousers the colour of the earth. It was also evident by the fact not one person in the room was wearing shoes, which was one thing I was grateful for.
“I never thought you stupid, Adonis, I am aware that you are quite the opposite.” I said, and I was able to watch his body shiver as I spoke his name.
“Hmm, then you should also expect me to know why you’re here.” He said, picking up his glass of wine and taking a sip.
“Ianthe contacted you.” I said, he nodded as the servers started walking around the table to collect the empty dessert platters. Once again I picked up my glass and took a drink.
“She and I have worked alongside each other for decades, of course she contacted me.” He said, standing up from his seat and holding a hand towards me. I took it and allowed him to pull me up. “We shall move to the grand hall, where the party has already begun.” His voice bellowed through the room before he lead me down the hallways of his castle and into the room he had mentioned.
“Dance with me.” He instructed, and so I nodded and obliged his request. I continued holding his hand but placed my spare on his shoulder, and his landed on my lower back. “Ianthe told me you are looking for allies against Traian.” He spoke just loud enough to be heard over the music.
“Yes, we are. So far we have new scent inhibitors and other weapons being curated by the witches and intel coming from the mortals.” I said, he nodded as he spun me out of his arms and back in, his hand once again on my lower back.
“So you’re looking for warriors then.” He concluded.
“Yes.” I replied, and I felt my feet become light along with my head. Maybe the four and a half glasses of fae wine was beginning to hit me all at once.
“Then you have them.” He said, his eyes wary as he watched me. “I pledge my allegiance to you and your cause, to the safety of all races, and allow you access to the strongest of my army. They will no doubt be enough to guarantee your win against Traian and his followers.”
“Thank you, Adonis. You have no idea what this means-”
“I do. And I want to apologise on behalf of all supernatural covens for allowing it to come to this. It shouldn’t have taken an outsider, who should never have been an outsider in the first place, to rally us together and do what’s right.” He replied, still spinning us around the room.
“It can be hard to do what’s right, so I’m going to thank you for it nonetheless.” I replied, smiling gently at him while the grasp I had on the world seemed to ebb and flow.
“Yes, maybe you should tell your mate that before he skins me alive.” Adonis said, and I looked around the room until I spotted Mircea. His eyes were focused on me, on how Adonis was holding me and moving me to follow the folk music perfectly.
“He won’t skin you alive, that would be too messy.” I joked, which landed correctly as Adonis threw his head back in exaggerated laughter. Maybe he enjoyed playing with people, toying with them when he could.
“Well, in that case I should let you go.” He said, twirling us to the outside of the dancing group before he stopped us and let go of my body. “However, I should mention, that if the two of you are ever in need of a third-party to make things interesting…” his eyes flicked from me to Mircea, and I noticed that the darkened look didn’t change as his focus did.
“I will keep you in mind if we ever wish to try something different.” I said, his hooded eyes landed on mine as he nodded.
“Have a good night and enjoy the festivities, White Wolf. It is all for you.” He said.
“I will.” I replied before he smiled and walked away from me. A breeze caught my attention, and as I turned towards its source I had to stop myself from acting surprised. It was obvious he would be on me the second that Adonis wasn’t.
“I thought he might never leave.”