Page 89 of Winter's Scorching Kisses
No, he wouldn’t.
Adorra glanced back at the arena, as Mathar squared up and fired a few shots with his bow and arrows. They landed true, and she couldn’t help but feel impressed at his skill. It was amazing to watch his arrows soar through the air and then land true in the hay targets at the end of the arena.
“Surely, he will win.”
“We will see. There are many fine archers who will participate today, and there’s no telling what might happen.” Jasmine informed her.
The day of events passed quickly, with Mathar losing the archery contest by a small margin. It had been impressive to say the least despite the loss. Now they all sat in the great hall, the tables decked out in food and drink, and dancing was going on in the middle of the great hall.
Adorra remained seated at the head table, watching the festivities going on around her. Jasmine had abandoned her long ago to dance with all the other merrymakers. Her sister had done her best to persuade her to join in, but she’d of course refused.
As her eyes scanned over the ice giants in the hall, she caught sight of Mathar, who was leaned up against a stone wall, his onyx eyes just watching her.
Pretending as though she hadn’t seen him, she kept her eyes moving over the crowd. But she could feel his eyes still on her. He was studying her. Probably wondering why she couldn’t loosen up and join in with all the merrymaking.
Jasmine bounced her way over to the table. “Adorra, do join in the festivities!” Her sister’s cheeks were rosy with her exertion from dancing.
“I’m fine right here, but,” Adorra pointed behind Jasmine, “it does appear that your dance partner is waiting for you to return.”
Jasmine turned in a flurry of movement as she glanced over at Dryden who was beckoning her to come back for another bought of dancing. It didn’t take her sister long to forget why she’d come over.
As Jasmine danced her way towards Dryden, Adorra felt a small smile crawl across her lips. Despite her original intentions, she was beginning to wonder if breaking those two apart would be nigh impossible and also just a bit cruel. They seemed to mesh so well together, and nothing, not even a pregnancy would keep her from bouncing across the great hall and into his arms.
“Would you like to dance?” A hand appeared in the side of her vision.
Turning her head ever so slightly, she gazed up at Mathar standing over her. “Dance?”
“Why not?”
“With you?” She quirked an eyebrow.
“You must have danced with worse partners than myself back at your court.” Mathar grinned. “Surely, granting me one dance won’t be too hard.”
“Why would you want to dance with me?” Adorra’s eyes narrowed as she tried to read any expressions in his onyx eyes, but there was nothing there for her to glimpse. He appeared to just want to dance with her.
Mathar chuckled as he leaned down next to her. “Do I need a reason to want to dance with the prettiest woman in the great hall?”
“Pfft.” Adorra waved her hand in the air, dismissing what he’d said, but her heart nearly stopped at his words. “Don’t lie to me.”
“I would never.” Mathar defended himself. “Now, will you grant me a dance or must I find myself a more willing participant.”
Adorra was tempted to tell him to find another woman to dance with… assuming any woman would dance with him, but the thought of another woman so close to Mathar had her itching with jealousy.
She jumped to her feet. “One dance.” She pointed a finger in his face. “Only one and no more.”
He bowed to her. “Whatever you wish.”
