His Forsaken Luna-Chapter 64: Flattery & Dancing (2)

I cannot look away. He has me locked in his stare as heat swarms my lower belly. His thumb has yet to move from my lips, and although we are in public, I cannot break whatever spell or madness that has overcome me.

It is Eryx who moves first, his thumb swiping to the side and then leaving my face so the same hand can move one of the loose tendrils of my hair away from my face and behind my ear.

I can only stare like an idiot as he does whatever he wants. We haven’t moved for a while, but nobody dances near us. Nobody really pays us attention now. There is only one person I can feel watching us, though, and I have the sudden desire to know who has been so fixated on us that I can finally look away from Eryx.

Theo stands among the crowds but he stands out to me. How can he not? Even though he is a slave, the man is beyond pretty, someone many have cast their gazes at.

His mop of brown locks is tied back, with only a few strays falling over his features. His tanned skin is unblemished and smoother than any that works outside in this weather. He wears servant’s clothes, but the collar stands out, and the clothes are not second-hand.

They fit him well; the waistcoat clings to him, revealing his muscular form beneath.

His mouth is set in a grim line. He doesn’t look happy. I want to go to him and ask what is wrong, but Eryx begins to move again, and we stride further away from him. I still watch Theo, but his gaze is elsewhere, I follow it back to Eryx’s face, and his eyebrow is arched with a slight smirk on his lips.

"Why did you invite him?" I ask, unable to hold back the question. "You made him wear that collar-"

"He also has brand new clothes," Eryx interrupts, but his voice is still quiet as he manoeuvres me around the dance floor. "He is your slave, Lia. He needs to be reminded of his position lest he takes advantage like your knight."

His words make me flinch, my heart stinging at the mention of Soren. I know he is right, and I should have some distance from Theo, especially now that I don’t know who to trust. But he’s not a slave to me.

"Theo is a friend-"

"He is a slave, someone who can easily be brought-"

"We grew up together," I interrupt, trying to keep the ire out of my voice as I hold Eryx’s stare. The world around us is a blur as we glacially spin in sync. "He is my friend, and I will look after him."

"Then that is what I have done for him tonight. He can remove the collar if he wishes, but those clothes fit him better than the rags he wore before."

I don’t attempt to tell Eryx that those rags were Sorens. "Then I thank you for your generosity."

"There is no need. He is meant to follow you to these events. Faidon told me he is a recent addition to your household. So I assume this is why you initially were not going to bring him. Now he is here, and he also represents you and now me."

"You?" I frowned up at him but realised too quickly what he meant. We are courting, entering a ’mateship’. I don’t think it would matter, but if it pleases Eryx, so be it. I will not complain about my friend wearing suitable clothing now.

It is not as though I can afford to get him anything. Deyanira has control over any coin Alaric gives me. That is about to change, though. While she is away, I will do everything in my power to change the tide. Remove the power she holds before she can return.

"Yes," I say, nodding in understanding. "Thank you. I have not had my wits about me for a few days."

"Find them again," Eryx states, his stare hard. "You have become a target, especially now that we are seen together."

"Whose fault is that?" I jest, but it does not affect the Alpha Prince.

"Take this seriously, Lia. By courting, we are making moves that would progress the peace treaty. By killing you..." Eryx trails off, but he does not need to finish his sentence. By killing me, it would incite another war.

"Why do they want our people to suffer, though? We can still live in peace even if we despise each other," I murmur my thoughts aloud.

We have far bigger problems to deal with now than a war that has gripped us by the throats for years. We should be uniting against this new threat. Entire villages have been wiped out in mere hours—this threat is undoubtedly the greater danger.

"Some people do not wish for change," Eryx says as we move past Alaric and Liva again.

By now, we have been on the floor for six dances. It is only customary to agree to two to three. But nobody else has asked for my hand, and it has given us a chance to discuss important matters. I am reluctant to think this, but in Eryx’s arms, I also feel safe.

Who wouldn’t be when a Were three times your size can shift into a wolf and protect you.

"You do not need to sigh so loudly about it," Eryx muses.

My head snaps up then. I didn’t realise I’d sighed so loudly. "It is not about the council... You and my brother will deal with those who do not wish for change..."

"Then?"

"I hate that I have to rely on others for my protection," I admit, feeling my chest clench.

"Ah, Faidon did say you were reading about fighting techniques..." Eryx trails off as he observes me. "I could... always teach you."

"You?" I peer up at him like he might have lost his mind. "My enemy?"

"Did we not just discuss the peace treaty? We will no longer be enemies," Eryx muses, but his eyes are glued to me, waiting expectantly.

"I did not think an Alpha Prince who is here on duty would have time for such... distractions," I say, trying to decline him, but there is no strength to my voice.

"You are a pleasant distraction," his smooth voice coils around me.

"Such a charmer." I feel my body heating too much under his gaze. Eryx senses it at the same time and inhales deeply, lowering his face close to mine.

It is only a little, but my pheromones have risen and will get worse the longer we touch. "If you will excuse me," I begin, my voice strained. "I need to get some air."

Eryx clears his throat even though his pupils have dilated a little. "I will get you a drink."

"A pleasure," I say, bowing my head and leaving before my heat flares up. It would be cowardly of me, but we are in public, and I know my heat makes Eryx lose his mind as well.

My steps are controlled, and I maintain a neutral expression as I move through the crowds, controlling the pheromones that are trying to expand from me. Many have given me space anyway, so I do not worry about them catching onto my scent yet.

I dive for the first doors I see, a balcony with snow that can cool my senses. Others might be using it, so I gingerly open the door before I make any plans to take it and escape everyone. My body freezes as the door shuts quietly behind me upon seeing two figures acting intimately against one of the pillars of the balcony.

Theo and some noblewoman.