Page 6 of All the Pain of Promises
“If you have a mind to say something, then speak now and freely, my lady.” His thumb dragged across her bottom lip, tugging lightly. “Otherwise, I would suggest you hold your tongue until we are in the privacy of our chambers.”
“Why?” Narissa asked, vaguely aware of the other lords and ladies who were now feigning a dance while circling around them like vultures. “Afraid they’ll see you for the insufferable scoundrel you are?”
“My reputation is already well-known.” He flashed a wicked smile. “It is you who will finally be seen for what you are.”
“And what’s that?” she taunted, ready to absorb whatever barb he threw at her.
Solarius hesitated. His irritated gaze dipped to her mouth as though he was tracing the lines and committing the curves to his memory. Her tongue darted out, the gloss she wore tasted faintly of vanilla, and he tracked the movement. He leaned in, lips slightly parted, and a spike of fear left her frozen in his arms. If he kissed her, she would never survive.
But then he blinked and drew back, as though coming to his senses.
“Nothing, Narissa.” He released her as the final chords of an enchanting melody faded away in the background. “Absolutely nothing.”
Narissa stared at him, unable to form words, her mind emptying of every sharpened retort. She could have handled an insult, could have brushed off any number of offenses. Yet to be so singularly diminished, to be relegated tonothing, carved open some long-buried wound inside of her.
Solarius didn’t deserve her tears. Or the pearls that would inevitably form from them.
“If you’d excuse me, my lord.” She dipped into a formal curtsy, holding his tense gaze the entire time. “I suddenly find myself no longer in want of your company.”
He opened his mouth to object, but she spun on one heel, her gown billowing around her as she moved toward the refreshments table positioned along the opposite wall of the ballroom. She kept her footfalls soft and delicate, offering a practiced smile to any guests who sent questioning looks her way. Not once did she stumble. Not once did she falter. She kept her composure until she reached the table and grabbed a glass of winter berry wine.
Narissa sniffed the burgundy contents and tried not to wince. While the scent of berries and spice was quite distinct, it was overpowered by the alarmingly strong smell of red wine.
She rarely indulged in libations, but tonight called for an exception.
Lifting the glass to her lips and surveying the decadent ballroom over the crystal rim, she took a hesitant sip.
Bursting flavors of cranberries, orange, cinnamon, and clove danced across her tongue in a surprisingly delicious blend. The beverage was much more pleasant than she expected, and she drank it far faster than she intended. Warmth bloomed in her belly and chest, her fingers tingled, and her thoughts went fuzzy. A lovely numbness spread through her, and she reached for another glass of the warm wine.
Yes, Narissa thought as she smiled to herself, she rather liked the idea of being numb.
CHAPTER THREE
Solarius stood with his brothers, Tovian and Nyxian, on the opposite side of the ballroom with an untouched drink in his hand.
His brothers were distracting him with stories of their sea-faring adventures. Having recently returned to Aeramere after months of worldly travel with Aran Ruhdneah, a High Prince of Faeven, and having been to far more places than Solarius thought possible, they were finally home.
“Tell me again about the female who broke our dear Tovian’s heart,” Solarius murmured, his gaze trained on Narissa, whose exquisite and ladylike form was now hiccupping and teetering off balance. She’d already consumed two glasses of winter berry wine, which was two too many. Because Narissa never drank.
“It was absolutely devastating. You should have seen poor Tov. He was ready to carry her back to Aeramere and make her his wife.” Nyxian clutched one hand to his chest, the scar cutting down the left side of his face only serving to highlight his wickedly sarcastic smile. “Her name was Everinne, and she was damningly beautiful. Nothing at all the like the ladies of Aeramere. Pretty eyes, curves where it mattered, legs for miles?—”
“Watch it,” Tovian warned, dipping his head so a swath of midnight blue hair fell across the front of his face. “She may not be a lady of Aeramere, but you will mind how you speak about females.”
“Of course. Apologies, dear brother.” Nyxian feigned a look of remorse, then turned to Solarius and winked. Conspiratorial little shit. “She had eyes the color of the eastern Arcasian Sea, like pools of turquoise flecked with the gold of the sun. Her breasts were two perfectly round orbs of creamy flesh, tanned like?—”
Nyxian grunted in pain.
Tovian jabbed his elbow into Nyxian’s ribcage with enough force that he doubled over as a grating laugh wheezed out of him. Solarius had the decency to maintain an even expression, but his lips twitched in spite of himself.
“Fuck off, Nyx.” Tovian glowered and his face—which had tanned considerably on their voyage—heated to a reddish shade of untempered rage. “I was in love with her.”
Solarius clicked his tongue in amusement. “I’m somewhat surprised she was charmed by you, Tov. Usually it’s Nyx who wins over the ladies in record time.”
“I have no doubt I would’ve stolen her heart and broken it,” Nyxian declared. His rakish charisma knew no bounds. But he folded his arms over his chest and arched one dark brow. “However, Tovian lured her in with his signature move.”
“Oh, really?” Solarius mused, running his thumb along his jaw to hide his smirk. “And what move is that?”
If Tovian was known for anything, it was being an esteemed lord with a mild manner and refined taste. He was respectful. Attentive. Courteous in every sense of the word.
