Page 84 of Stars in Aura

The glass appeared before her, the surface fluctuating like the endless cosmos, nebulae forming and dissolving with each ripple.

A cold mist still curled from the rim, the scent of dark berries and honey weaving through the air.

Ki’Remi eyed her, expression unreadable.

‘You approve?’ he intoned.

Issa elevated the goblet, watching the shifting galaxies spiral beneath her fingertips, then took a slow mouthful.

‘Exquisite,’ she muttered, the smooth burn of elderberry and starfruit melting on her tongue, balanced by nebula honey’s rich, heady sweetness.

Ki’Remi lifted his tumbler, his mouth teasing an unhurried sip of rum, stare never leaving hers.

‘Good,’ he rasped. ‘I have a feeling you’ll need it.’

The temperature under her skin rose, heat unfurling in places that had nothing to do with the drink.

His lips flexed as he knocked the rest of his potable back.

Issa’s soul lurched, tracking the flex of his throat, the sculpted cut of his jaw, and the ridges of his ink disappearing beneath his open collar.

She coughed, placing her beverage on the table with careful precision.

‘Long day,’ she murmured, shifting the conversation, trying and failing to keep the atmosphere casual when their eyes locked and arcs of heat scorched the air between them.

He exhaled, his chest rippling. ‘Lengthy few days.’

She nodded, going for the jugular. ‘Are you planning on interrogating me further, or is this your version of an apology?’

His lips twitched, but his eyes stayed dark. ‘Neither.’

She tilted her head. ‘Then what is it?’

Ki’Remi studied her, rolling his glass before finally leaning in, voice dropping just above a whisper.

‘An exploration of the unknown, Issa Elaris. I want to know all about you and your mystery.’

Her pulse tripped.

Damn.

She dragged her gaze away from his unabashed intent and lifted her chalice. She stared at it instead, captivated by the swirling silver iridescence dancing in the sunset and crimson liquid.

Her eyes caught movement in the bar lobby.

Five men prowled into the establishment.

Nada, scratch that.

Twas a quintet of divinities, more imposing and menacing than the Ssigis warriors she fought with for most of her life.

That’s when she realized they matched Ki’Remi’s essence.

From their enormity, muscled builds, the dead giveaway, luminous meta eyes, and shifting glowing ink.

Their connection was confirmed when they slowed their prowl and exchanged sustained looks with the man across from her.

His expression shifted into a series of almost indiscernible expressions, and she sensed they were communicating aphonically.

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