Page 44 of Courting the Tiger King

“But—”

“If you’re that worried, why don’t you just go and—” Gabe stopped, hand halting in mid-air before he could take a sip of his wine. “Ah. There. See? They’re fine.”

Wren’s head whipped around, following Gabe’s line of sight until his eyes caught on the gleam of fabric and the expanse of skin that begged to be made red by his mouth.

Neah, Zennon, and Sonnet, strangely enough, entered the ballroom as if they had not a care in the world. Maybe it was only Wren who could see the tension in Neah’s shoulders, the way her eyes scanned the room for threats as they eased their way through the crowd.

He swallowed, eyes caught on the way the silver material draped across Neah’s body, more provocative than if she’dsimply been naked. It was loose but somehow clung to her curves, the shimmering material nearly looking metallic in the lights of the room.

Next to him, Gabriel cursed. A long string of muttered oaths that made even Wren blink, but he realised why when he finally pulled his eyes from Neah to glance over her companions. He did a double take when he looked at Sonnet, her dress was nearly translucent but masterfully crafted to reveal nothing.

And yet, on Wren’s otherside, he heard Skye choke when Sonnet turned and her bare back was displayed.

This was more than just a late and dramatic arrival, or a display of wealth and beauty. No, this was strategy and it had Neah’s name written all over it. A taunt to whoever had tried to kill Zennon, afuck youin the language of the court.

“Quite stunning, aren’t they?” An unexpected voice said and Wren blinked, pulling himself out of his own head to acknowledge the newcomer.

“Uncle. Yes, they are… quite beautiful.” Wren wasn’t sure it was a descriptor adequate enough to describe Neah. Dangerous. Fierce. Like the lick of a flame on your skin, or the first droplet of rain from a thunderstorm—Neah was the beginning and the end, and she washis.

Wren prowled forward, eyes locked on her from across the room, watching so intently that he saw the moment she sensed him, the way her breath stuttered, her skin flushing.

They hadn’t had the chance to discuss what had happened between them in the forest, and then the poisoning had happened and derailed that conversation further. But it was time, now. He just had to hope she’d come to the same conclusion he had, that they belonged together, that they were stronger as one than apart.

Yet, when he grew close, Neah stiffened and turned her back to the room. Wren hadn’t realised that Gabriel and Skye had followed him until Gabe whistled underneath his breath.

“Brutal.”

Wren growled and Gabe raised his hands, palms up, even as amusement gleamed in his eyes.

Zennon and Sonnet, however, didn’t seem to share in whatever had provoked Neah’s ire. Zennon smiled and Wren was pleased to see that she looked far better than when he’d seen her last in the infirmary wing.

“You look lovely,” Wren said and was surprised when a redhead approached the women with a glass of wine in each hand. She handed one to Zennon and Wren squinted before realising who she was. “Romi. Lovely to have you with us.”

Sonnet snickered. “Next time, you should try inviting her then.”

Wren frowned. “I’d thought Romi had departed from our service to escape court life, but of course you’re welcome,” he added and Romi smiled, seemingly unperturbed by gatecrashing.

“Zennon was kind enough to insist I accompany her—and Neah and Sonnet, of course.”

“Of course,” Wren murmured and bristled when Skye knocked into his side when he folded his arms across his chest. They’d opted for their formal jackets, complete with shining buttons and frothy cravats, and Wren knew Skye hated the pomp and restrictiveness of the fitted sleeves.

“How am I supposed to fight in this?”He’d once asked and Wren had barely contained his laughter as he explained to the witch-king that generally one didn’t need to fight at balls. Then again, Wren had been wrong before.

“You know,” Skye said, and Wren felt the energy shift as Sonnet and Skye locked eyes. “Generally you’re supposed to wear clothes to these functions.”

“Don’t worry, you’ll only have to see me naked in your dreams, seer.”

“Neah,” Wren pitched his voice low, tuning out Skye’s retort as he reached for Neah’s elbow. “Will you dance with me?”

She looked up at him, her golden eyes blazing, and Wren dropped his hand. What had changed between them to make her look at him like that? With… disappointment, and rage?

“I will not.”

Whatever this was, they needed to talk about it. Near-death aside, they’d been fine before, hadn’t they?

“It’s a party,” he said, smiling and trying to keep his tone light. “Dancing is customary.”

Her jaw clenched, nostrils flaring, and he knew immediately that he’d said the wrong thing. “If you insist.” She held out a hand and Gabriel, confused and clearly not paying attention, placed his hand into the palm Neah offered him. “Thank you, Gabe, how good of you.”

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