Page 50 of Thorns & Fire
Pleasure bloomed from that point through her whole body, causing her to clench her thighs together, feeling the dampness gathering there.A broad hand spread across her abdomen, the ultimate show of possession, pressing her flush against the muscular Warsword at her back.And without thinking, she arched into him, relishing the hard planes of his body against hers.
‘Do you think I’d allow someone to approach my wife like that?’The rich timbre of Torj’s voice went straight to her core.
She had to bite her lip to keep from whimpering, until she remembered herself.She needed to come from a position of strength if she was to interrogate him about the book she’d found.She refused to be a simpering fool at his mercy.
Together, they entered a grand ballroom.Its soaring ceilings were adorned with crystal chandeliers and ornate gilded mouldings that traced intricate patterns along the walls and archways.It reminded Wren of the places she’d been as the Poisoner, with all the trappings of unimaginable wealth.Enormous arched windows lined the entire far side of the room, their panes reflecting the flickering candlelight and revelry.This was exactly the sort of party the marks from her ledger had attended.
Noting that Kipp and Dessa had long since peeled away from them, Wren turned to the dancers twirling across the floor.There were various pairings: men and women, women and women, men and men, and no one batted an eye.A pang of grief struck Wren as she wished Ida could see the freedom here.
Women wore sweeping gowns of silk and velvet and were adorned with more jewels than Wren had ever seen.In another lifetime, this might have been all she’d ever known – a world of decadence and splendour, not plants and poisons; not battle and death.
As though sensing the change in her, Torj’s thumb stroked the soft fabric at her waist: a small, intimate gesture, causing a wave of goosebumps to break out across her skin.Every nerve ending felt electrified, attuned to the Warsword’s proximity and each tiny movement of his fingers against her.She only hoped he didn’t notice the hitch in her breath.
To her surprise, he tugged her towards the dance floor, the music swelling and ebbing like a living thing through the crowd of couples.‘Come on, Lady Hargrave.Kipp told us to dance.’
‘And you’re always so accommodating of Kipp’s requests, are you?’she said wryly.‘I thought this wasyourassignment?’
‘It is.But we can’t just barge in and ransack the private rooms, can we?’
He swept her into his arms, her long skirts swishing beneath them as they fell into step with the pairs around them.Torj’s fingers laced through hers, warm and firm, his other hand holding her waist.
‘Hand on my shoulder,’ he murmured, his breath tickling her ear, his scent intoxicating.
Wren stared up at him, trying to find her footing.‘Here I was thinking the Bear Slayer didn’t dance.’
‘I didn’t say I do it well,’ he replied gruffly, brows knitting together in concentration.When he found his rhythm, he met her gaze.‘Though I’m not the Bear Slayer tonight – I’m your husband.’
She hated that those words found their way into her chest, causing her heart to flutter and her core to tighten in anticipation.It was dangerous, being so close to him.The force of him was overpowering, and she worried she might lose herself again.
The music picked up pace, and warm notes plucked on the lute punctuated the sweeping strings, guiding the dancers.Wren, however, had no idea what she was doing, and neither did Torj, by the way he fumbled through the steps.
‘Don’t you dare drop me,’ Wren warned him, narrowly missing a collision with a woman whose dress was unnecessarily voluminous.
Torj peered down at her, and for the first time, she noticed flecks of gold amid the sea-blue of his eyes.How had she never seen them there before?
‘I’d never let you fall,’ he said, his gaze dropping to her mouth.
Despite everything, Wren wanted to kiss him, every part of her calling out for his touch.
She shoved those feelings deep down and replied in a cold, flat voice, ‘But you’re more than willing to walk away.’
CHAPTER 18
Wren
‘In alchemy, balance is not merely desirable – it is the difference between transformation and destruction’
– Arcane Alchemy: Unveiling the Mysteries of Matter
TORJ’S HANDSOME FACEtensed with anguish.‘Embers, I—’
But Wren shook her head, the rage within unfurling fast.‘Enough.’She pulled back as much as the dance would allow.‘You think this isfair?What you’re doing?That you’re happy to touch and kiss me, to play pretend?After everything you said to me back at Drevenor?’
The Warsword flushed, dipping his head in shame.‘I’m sorry.’
Wren didn’t care.The lingering looks, the nickname, claiming her as his wife...Was it all just a game to him?She wouldn’t stand for it.‘I don’t want your apologies.I want the truth.’
‘The truth?’Torj missed a step, causing them to stumble.
