Page 15 of Blood Weaver
“I think you’ve had enough attention for one night,” I snapped, the words slipping out before I could reel them back in. My annoyance wasn’t really with the dancer. She was doing her job and doing it well. But something about Ronan's words, his proximity, and the charged energy that crackled between us made me edgy.
Ronan chuckled. “I thought you weren’t jealous.”
“I’m not!” I said defensively. “I just don’t want to bear witness to your affair with her. If you want to be entertained, do it elsewhere.”
Ronan smirked, then his fingers gently caressed the dancer's waist, signaling her to stop. He offered her a glint before she stepped away and cast me a curious glance before moving to another table.
I raised an eyebrow. “You seem popular here.”
Ronan smirked and poured another cup of wine. “You could say I've made some acquaintances during my stay. But don't worry, my attention right now is solely on you.”
“And what makes you think I want it?” I retorted.
He leaned in closer, his scent blending with the heady aroma of wine and incense. “Because, despite your protests, I can see it in your eyes. You're curious. And curiosity, my sweet Leila, can be a very dangerous thing.”
I tossed back the rest of my wine in one gulp and slammed the cup down on the table angrily, ignoring his heated gaze. I refused to feed into his nonsense. The Crimson Clan was not to be trusted. If I got too close to Ronan, he would discover my identity in no time.
He threw his head back and laughed. “Fine, I won’t persist. But Iamcurious: Why are you here, of all places? The lantern festival outside is quite lovely.”
I sighed. “Because Selene is here. I’m going to spend it with her.”
He snorted. “I assure you, Leila, the mermaid will be quite busy tonight. You should just accept my company instead.”
I gritted my teeth but kept quiet. The merfolk were rarely seen on land, as they resided in the Luminar Sea located to the west of Keldara. The vast expanse of water was known for its bioluminescent waters and as the home of the merfolk. To be able to walk on land, some of the merfolk made deals with the fae. Selene never told me who her father made a deal with to get them on land, but she hasn’t been back to the water since she was a child. She still missed it sometimes.
“I can’t bethatunpleasant,” he persisted.
I rolled my eyes. “I would rather burn in the fiery pits of hell than spend another moment with you.”
“Well … that’s one way to go.”
“All of you from the Crimson Clan are barbarians. I would rather die than be with you!”
“Is that so?” he asked with a quirked brow. “And how are we such savages?”
I turned my gaze to him and met his crimson eyes unflinchingly. “Because your people decided to ally yourselves with Keldara. You can’t get any lower than that.”
Ronan tilted his head to get a good look at me. “I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again: you don’t seem Valorian, so what’s your problem with Keldara?” He sized me up once more, taking in my moon earrings and narrowing his gaze on them.
All Valorians had crescent moons on their foreheads, which indicated to all they encountered who they were. Valorians believed in the moon goddess who blessed our lands. Using magic, I’d covered my forehead to appear like a normal human from the Central Plains.
Feeling like my identity was at risk of being discovered, I shot to my feet so fast, I tipped over the jug of wine. Rich red liquid spilled over the edge of the table and dribbled onto theplush carpet. “I’ve had enough of this!” I stormed away, intent on finding Selene.
Without a care about the spilled wine or the company I left behind, I stomped toward the dark hallway that led to the courtesans’ private chambers to see if Selene was in any of them. Before I reached the first closed door, someone grabbed my wrist and pulled me into a dark alcove, hidden from prying eyes. A hand covered my mouth to keep me from screaming. I whirled around to see Ronan’s smirking face.
“Why the rush?” He slowly removed his hand and boxed me in against the wall. “I thought we were having a good time,” he added with a sultry grin.
He was so close, I smelled the fruity wine on his lips. I dropped my gaze to his mouth and unconsciously licked my own before glancing away. “You're playing a dangerous game, Ronan,” I managed to say, my voice quivering.
His eyes roamed over my face and lingered on my lips, which parted involuntarily under his intense scrutiny. “And yet,” he whispered as he leaned in closer, his warm breath teasing my ear, “here you are, playing.”
I shivered, a strange mix of anger and attraction. “Release me,” I demanded, but the softness of my tone betrayed me.
He leaned in closer and the heat of his body radiated against mine, creating an intoxicating pull. His lips brushed against the sensitive shell of my ear. “You say one thing, Leila, but your body says another.”
I realized then that my body was leaning in towards him and my hands had crept up to his warm torso, almost as if I wanted to push him away but didn’t. I jerked back and pushed him away using all my strength. He stumbled back with a surprised look on his handsome face. Trying to regain my composure, I whispered, “You mistake my vulnerability for attraction. Tread carefully, Ronan.”
He looked amused. “Is that a challenge?”
