Chapter twenty - nine - The flame spewer champion

I regret this dance the second I stop and face Lorcan's inquisitive gaze. I'm not one to prance, I'm almost certain I can hardly move in this dress, and Lorcan's question does not help. "Is there a reason you declined to dance with that man?"

Looking to the side, I watch Darius stroll to meet another woman beaming at him as she accepts his hand far too greedily. "I'm not up for dancing with strangers," A feeble tone slips out of me as I flit my stare back to Lorcan.

He lowers a brow in caution as both of us stand still. "But that's what this dance is all about." Gesturing to everyone around us, the women twirl, leading them to a different partner.

Stifling an exasperating groan at my unlucky fortune, I shake my head. "This was a mistake, I don't know this dance—"

"I'll guide you." He closes any distance between us, and my chest ceases up as he lifts his palm.

Watching as others use theirs as well to lightly touch their partners, I reciprocate. The smooth and soft music palpitates the hall as Lorcan nods once and begins circling with our hands still touching. Leather against his calloused skin.

"People are staring at us," I whisper as we bow together. Everyone always had a habit of staring at me in the wrong way, in the judging ways, but this one is a look of awes all around.

"They're staring at you," he says with a curl of his upper lip, and I almost widen my eyes at the comment. "You are the only person in gold. Archer was right; not only is your name like royalty, but you also look it."

I get an overwhelming drop in my stomach at the mention of Archer, and I steal a glance over Lorcan's shoulder, spotting Darius's gaze already on us while dancing with that woman. Quickly snapping my head to Lorcan, a tight smile blooms on my lips. "What is this dance again?"

"A tradition, everyone does on the night of Noctura ball. We switch partners with every beating of the drums."

A surprised breath releases from me when his arm wraps around my waist, and the other grasps my hand, now switching into a different position.

"Though I'm reluctant to let you go," he murmurs, his eyes daring and lustful.

I swallow the heart at my throat. "Then don't." And I mean it in hopes he will agree and continue dancing with me, so Darius doesn't get the chance. But he chuckles, starting to move us in almost a square, one step, two steps, three—

"That's not how it works," he says all the while I'm looking to see I don't tread on him. "Unless there's another reason why you are so hesitant to switch partners."

My eyes dart up at his cautious gaze. "Like I said, I don't like the idea of dancing with someone I don't know." Or, in this case, an annoying dragon.

Lorcan doesn't look convinced, but I keep my firm stare on him. He parts his lips, intending to say whatever is on his mind, but the drums beat twice, and he lets go of me. "Spin to your left," he whispers by my ear as another woman in a blood-orange tulle dress swivels towards him.

Numbly, I do the same, partnering up with someone new—someone I have no clue who he is. But he smiles, repeating all previous movements with Lorcan. I'm unaware if I'm doing all the steps correctly or the small mindless words of what is your name? each person I switch to asks me. I'm only focusing on who I'm nearing.

Darius.

With each twirl, I bow to a new person; with each minute the music continues, I look over to the queen, staring with narrowing eyes at us at me, until... until I'm facing the roguish expression of Darius's. "You look—" His gaze roams over my gown as we bow, and then he smiles. "Hideous."

I roll my eyes as I raise my hand to his and the tips of my fingers—where the glove doesn't cover it—feel the warmth of his skin.

"No compliment towards me, Naralía?"

He really thinks I'm going to compliment him after he insulted me.

"Nara," I reiterate as we slowly turn. "And I would never compliment someone like you, your heads already big enough that I'm surprised it doesn't drag you down."

He chuckles brightly as we switch hands and glide the other way. "You're right. Tibith sometimes has to hold my head upright."

I have to give it to him. He never cares for such insults, takes life like it's a breeze, no wonder he's always ready for fun. "What are you doing here anyway? Isn't this too much of a risk?"

"I've taken a lot of risks lately, Goldie." Another bow and specks from the chandelier flash upon his features. "This just happens to be my wildest one yet."

I frown at the way he says that, without a hint of his familiar mock of a smile. Entrusting someone who is on the path to becoming a Venator is a risk. But I had taken too many myself, and it all began because of Darius. "You know, I thought you'd rather not see me again, ever."

He grips my waist, bringing me in, and my chest knocks against his too close for comfort. "And I said that would be after I got the pendant. You're not very bright now, are you?"

An icy shard of anger impales me that as we begin moving to the music, I clamp my heel down on his boot, hard enough to dent the white marble beneath us. It's not a mistake; nothing to say, it's me being clumsy... I did it on purpose. And his strained groan makes me smile, except his eyes dance with mirth, nodding as if saying he deserved that.

I smother an irritated huff before something that'd been on my mind comes up. "Why don't you have any shifter tattoos?"

Amber eyes flicker to the hand holding mine. "Why are you covering up your scar with a glove?"

Hesitating, I remember he'd seen it the day I fought him, but I quickly recover. "Why do you care if I cover it up or not?" He's the one deflecting why he doesn't have tattoos, and I know I won't get an answer to that anytime soon.

"Because the dark leather doesn't favor that gown of yours."

I make a face, albeit an irked one, at the amusement tinging behind those words. "You're—"

"Handsome?" He grins. "Thank you, Goldie."

I scoff at his arrogance. It's like he wants me to despise him on purpose.

"Ambrose!" Rydan says cheerfully, appearing to the side of us when the drums sound. "I know the woman is supposed to twirl to a different person, but I figured I'd switch it up." He presses his lips into a smile, waving a hand. "You are most welcome."

I've never grinned so grand at Rydan before or remotely been pleased to see him approach me. But eager to switch, I lurch forward when Darius blocks me as he turns and offers instead, "Why don't you dance with someone more desirable? Nara, here is anything but that."

Oh, he did not.

Fury singes the arches of my ears as I go to protest and insult Darius too, but Rydan hums, narrowing his eyes. "You seem familiar—" His gasp cuts his words off as if he's solved something. "Wait, you are the flame spewer champion!"

I glance at Darius as he chuckles with obvious pride. It's terrible how he is out here fooling everyone, and I'm the one providing that support for him to carry on. I deserve to be exiled and thrown into the screaming forests.

"I've tried to beat you a few times but always fail," Rydan shakes his head in amazement. "You have impressive willpower; those drinks burn tremendously."

He is part Ardenti, I want to say but bite the inside of my cheek.

"Because of whom you are," Rydan continues, raising a palm. "I'll accept you dancing with Nara—"

For Solaris's sake! "Rydan!" I practically gape, but he's already sauntering past us.

"What?" He shrugs, walking backward and whispers, "He's a champion."

"Well, he's not wrong." Darius's laughter swirls from behind me before I watch Rydan stop by Lorcan and begin pestering him away from his partner in what looks to be the dance itself. A quizzical frown warps my forehead as I whirl to Darius and bring my palm up to his. "Did you use powers on him or something?"

"Of course not." His confusion matches mine. "That's all him."

"Right, how can I be so sure you're not just tricking me? We shouldn't even be dancing still," I hiss with eyes darting around the hall.

"Look, Goldie, as much as it's fun tricking mortals, I've not once used any Merati powers on you apart from when we saw each other at the Draggards. Besides, shifters weaken the more they use their magic, and even with some resistance to it, the steel powders trapped in these walls—" His smile turns tense. "Well, let's just say I'm running on a time limit here."

Learning things about Darius always surprises me. Not because of our constant disagreements—more me than him—but because he'd been perceived as untouchable, invincible, and too dangerous to catch. He has the same weaknesses as any dragon. The difference is he's just learned the smartest way to avoid capture. "Is that why the attacks in the city have gotten worse because you've helped shifters build resistance too?"

He tilts his head, something glistening in his eyes. "Perhaps, but I'd only decided to join my kind a few years ago. I don't like following what some choose to do."

Such as the attack on the city. He was stealing, not involved. This is why the queen is wrong when it comes to her assumptions on him leading them all and what everyone thought, even with the rumors of him behind the new creatures.

We stay quiet for a few minutes, the music hitting its high notes on the violins, a melody soothing to the ear as we circle, though it's like we go at a slower pace than the rest. His eyes dust over in golden hues from my dress as he observes me, every second, every moment.

"The queen isn't wearing the pendant tonight." At last, I sigh, catching the sight of her on the throne. Crystalized gold encases it as the General stands to her side. "It's too dangerous."

"All the better then." A tug at his lips before he's grabbing my hand and waist.

Pushing the slightest away, I huff up at him. "Do you not understand that me stealing from the queen is punishable in death?"

He chuckles, tightening his grip on my hand as we grace the dancefloor. "You had no problem accepting my offer for it, Goldie."

I have no response. He's right, I accepted, and I said I'd get it for him in exchange for his blood.

When I still don't say a word, he whispers in a deep voice ever so torturous, "I never took you as someone who'd back down."

A glare shoots out of me, barreling towards him, I know what he is doing, and I loathe that it's working.

I'm not one to back down easily. I never cower. I follow through even if it fails me, even when I am on the brink of giving up. I indeed felt the changes while living in the city and the creak of the gates in my chest opening to new things... experiences. But for my brothers, that's the one thing that stays the same.

"Fine," I say. "I might have an idea where she has it." As clapping ensues and the music halts, Darius steps back. I gaze at everyone bowing once again to signal the end of the dance. And as I do the same to Darius, I lift my gaze, looking at him beneath my brows, adding, "Wait for me by the entrance and don't talk to anyone."

The side of his lip kicks up, giving me that smile where he knows he's won just as I walk the other way, attempting not to draw any attention to myself.