Page 171 of Malicent
The courtyard is alive with energy. Strings of lights ripple across the air like stars caught in a web. A violin commands the space, its high-pitched notes whipping the dancers into a frenzy. Acrobats teeter on tabletops, somehow serving wine with their hands and feet. How they manage not to spill it, I have no idea.
In every corner, something dazzles the crowd: a fire-breather roars the flames of applause, a magician spins light into birds, tables brim with glistening platters and flutes of sweet wine.
“This lord’s connected to some of the biggest merchant trades in the region,” Kalix explains. “He enjoys showing off his wealth.”
“Even when infected?” I lower my voice, mindful of Cage, who is no doubt eavesdropping nearby. “They’re not usually this…social.”
“It’s not typical, but some can maintain their appearances,” Kalix replies, offering his arm. His eyes tell me I need to play along. I place my arm in the crook of his elbow, letting him guide us toward the crowd. At a nearby table, I grab a glass of wine, forcing down the syrupy sweetness.
“So, what does he look like?” I ask, scanning the area for someone powerful—or dangerous. It’s hard to tell in an extravagant place like this.
“Short blonde hair. Green eyes, I think.”
“You think?”
“There’s a lot of people here, all right?” he mumbles into his cup.
“He’s here,” Cage interjects, suddenly beside us.
“Then let’s find him,” I say, excitement rising at the prospect of encountering one of these cursed beings in the flesh.
Cage shakes his head. “I can sense a void. He’s blocking me. That in itself confirms his presence.”
“I bet I can locate him.” I tap the collar at my neck in a silent request.
“Not a chance,” Cage dismisses quickly.
“But…” He pauses, then extends a hand toward me. “We can try luring him out.”
I raise a brow. “How?”
“Come, and I will teach you.”
I sneer at him but wipe it from my face. I don’t need Cage to teach me anything, but I do want to see this infected human. Cautiously, I take his hand, letting the other fall from Kalix’s arm.
Cage raises our joined hands and leads us toward the to the dance floor.
“Seriously? Dancing?” I scan the crowd. “Is he hiding among them?”
I dart my gaze over the courtyard, seeking someone with short blonde hair and green eyes. Luckily, the combination seems rare tonight.
Cage stops in an open space and turns to face me. Without warning, he pulls me close.
“For now, yes.”
He keeps one hand raised with mine and rests the other against the small of my back. I settle my free hand on his shoulder.
“Can you even dance?” I ask, wary of his toes.
He chuckles softly and begins to move us fluidly in a rhythm. All right, so he can dance.
As we glide across the floor, my eyes continue to roam the sea of faces.
“Impatient, aren’t we?” Cage smirks, drawing my attention back to him.
“I’ve never been good at patience,” I mutter, letting him spin me as the music swells.
He pulls me back, and this time, his chest brushes mine, closer than before. His hand settles low on my back again, steady and warm, and every nerve there tightens in response.
