He places a warm hand on the small of my back and pushes me closer to him as we take to the floor. His hazel eyes are lit with some emotion I can’t quite place, a smile tugging at his lips. “Even Kings have weaknesses. Perhaps you’re mine.”
My lips part in surprise at his words. “Oh.”
“No witty remark?” He teases. “What a shock.”
“Just give me a moment, I’m sure I’ll think of something,” I lie.
He chuckles. “I would wait all night.”
“What are you doing?” I ask, looking him squarely in the eyes. “Why are you saying these things? And talking to me like this?”
“What are you talking about?” He sweeps us between two other couples.
“You’re starting to sound like a romantic,” I say.
Altair lowers his face and I almost close my eyes, expecting a kiss. But he presses his cheek to mine, his breath wafting over my ear pleasantly. “What should I sound like?”
I shudder and instinctively lean into him. But then he’s sending me into a twirl, grinning wickedly. I almost stumble on my blue skirts, but he catches me and steadies me in his arms as we continue sweeping over the dance floor.
“Never mind,” I mutter, glowering at him.
Suddenly, the ballroom doors slam open and a chill gust of wind blows powerfully through the room. The music comes to a screeching halt, and the chatter dies down. Altair freezes, his hands on my shoulders protectively as he stares towards the ballroom doors. My hairs stand on end and a shiver trails down my spine. Like a spider crawling over my skin.
“Hello there, old friend,” a woman’s voice echoes over the crowd.
I yelp as Altair shoves me away from him into Navi’s waiting arms. She must have appeared behind us while our attention was on the door. She drags me back into the crowd and away from Altair just as a woman in a blood red cloak saunters towards Altair. I don’t struggle against her, knowing well enough that Altair would never dismiss me so roughly without good reason.
Navi stops beside one of the pillars, her sword drawn in her hand. Thal appears beside me, his green eyes locked onto the woman’s confrontation with Altair. The woman is tall and lithe, just as graceful as the Fae. Her icy blonde hair is loose and long, hanging past her waist. And her pale blue eyes never move from Altair. Blue eyes like mine.
The woman unties her red cloak, revealing a sparkling silver gown beneath with a drastic neckline that reaches her navel. She sways towards Altair and he stiffens. The woman reaches him and rests a thin hand on his cheek, gesturing towards the crowd.
“You throw a party and don’t invite me?” She croons. “How cold.”
“Get out of here, Maaz,” Altair growls.
Maaz. My jaw drops, eyes wide as I take in the witch that ruined Altair’s life. The Fae surrounding them watch anxiously, fear glittering in their eyes. They’re afraid of Maaz. I furrow my brows in confusion. How could an entire room of powerful Fae be frightened of a single Bloodbane? From the corner of my eye, I see Thal draw a dagger from his waist.
“Come, Altair, there’s no need for such poor manners,” Maaz pouts. “I’m a guest. Offer me refreshments.”
He shakes free of her, slapping her hand away. “You’re no guest. Now leave, before I cut you down.”
She tuts like he’s a disobedient child. “You always were stubborn, weren’t you? It’s one of the things I love about you.”
“Get. Out,” he says through gritted teeth.
Nausea hits me as she speaks, as she so casually mentions her love for him. Navi hisses, enraged.
“No wine then? No little desserts on those delicate papers you Fae love so much? No? None of that?” Maaz looks expectantly at Altair before shrugging. “Let’s get down to business then.”
“Speak.” Altair glowers at her.
“Two little birdies told me you had the Key,” Maaz says lightly. “I was so curious, I had to come see for myself. It only took you nine hundred and ninety-nine years. Now, where is she?”
I shrink back against the pillar and Navi steps defensively in front of me. Dread coils in my chest and I know that if Maaz finds me, she’ll likely kill me. Altair steps towards her, crowding her and driving her back a step.
“Leave. By the accords of the curse I can’t kill you, but I can torture you. And you’ve waltzed right in to my palace. Surrounded by my people,” Altair says, his voice low and dangerous. “Get out.”
“So testy,” Maaz quips. “I’ll go. But you keep an eye on your precious Key, darling. Because you’re running out of time, and I’m only just getting started.”
Maaz rakes her eyes over the crowd before settling on me. She grins sinisterly and draws up her hood. My heart stops for an instant when our eyes meet. We watch as she melts back into the crowd, and the doors creak shut behind her. The Fae in the ballroom collectively let out a sigh of relief when she’s gone, and Navi sheaths her sword.
Altair is beside us in an instant. “Let’s go, Verity.”
“What?” I ask as he takes my hand, pulling me away from the pillar.
Behind us, the music never picks up again, and Fae mutter amongst themselves as they leave the ballroom. Maaz’s presence has brought the celebration to a halt. Altair doesn’t say goodbye to his guests before ushering me up the grand staircases towards my room. I hold my skirts high so I can keep up with him, his long legs carrying him quickly through the halls.
There are guards all around us, hurrying to different posts throughout the castle. Twice as many as there were before. Altair’s back is stiff with anger, and I can feel it washing off of him in waves. He stops outside my door and I stare up at him, brows furrowed with concern.
I’ve never seen Altair this furious, or this afraid. I lay a hand on his
