Rage burned through Adelina.
Eyes stinging, she stalked from the table, just as Kierion reached her.
He took her cup, depositing it nearby, and flashed her a grin. “Want to dance?” His grin faltered. “Oh, are you all right?”
Adelina hesitated. Roberto’s love for Ezaara was not her secret to spill. “Just a little tired.”
“The music’s good. It’ll get your feet tapping.”
Dancing was the last thing she felt like, but Adelina let Kierion lead her past the tables to the dance area.
“You were amazing today,” he beamed. “I was so proud of you during stunts.” Holding her hand in his, and placing his other on her waist, he whisked her around the floor in time to the music.
He smelled of leather and candle wax, a nice combination. “Your stunts were way better than mine.”
Kierion quirked an eyebrow. “I was showing off, but yours showed precision and restraint in the face of Nadira and Alban’s silly tactics.”
“So, you got that?”
“I did.” His eyes played across her face as the music changed tempo. “That’s the introduction to the farlauf. We danced this in Montanara when I was a kid, but I always got in trouble for playing pranks during dances.”
“That’s hard to believe, Kierion.” She had to laugh.
He grinned. “The key is to never play the same trick twice. That’s what keeps it interesting.”
“Never the same one twice?”
He leaned close. “Once I dropped my drink on the floor, and as I mopped it up, I tied my friend’s bootlaces together. When the music changed, he stood up to dance and fell flat on his face.” His eyes shone. “I’ve tried salt in the punch, sugar in the vegetables. Tuned the band’s instruments to be off key. I even nailed someone’s shoes to the floor, once. Another time, I put a few fish in pockets.”
“You’re shocking. Where do you come up with all these ideas?” He was incorrigible, but, gods, so adorable.
“Don’t let Lars see us grinning, he’ll think I’m up to something again. I haven’t played a decent prank since I hid those arrows. What with seeing Fenni and Jael, I haven’t had time.”
Kierion’s grin was as broad as his shoulders. Adelina found herself admiring both. He swept her into the throng, his arm around her as they waltzed down the center of two lines of people.
“Surely the other morning’s effort counts?” she asked as they moved in time.
“Nah, that was nothing.”
Swapping Sofia’s butter for cheese really was nothing compared to what Kierion usually got up to, but Sofia had been as mad as a dragon with an ingrown talon. “How’s tharuk hunting going?” Ezaara was talking to her mother, looking very serious, over in a corner. Was Marlies telling her what Tonio had said?
“Good, we’re going out tomorrow and taking Tomaaz with us,” Kierion said. “Do you want to come?”
Ezaara and Marlies left the cavern. What was the Queen’s Rider up to? Adelina had to know. Once, Ezaara had gone to the Wastelands to get her brother. Maybe this time they could go together. “Ah, I think I’ll rest tomorrow, like Master Derek suggested.”
He cocked his head. “Are you sure? You’re usually so full of energy.”
How did he do that? Make her feel special with such a simple statement. “Since I’ve knocked my head, I tire easily,” Adelina lied. Guilt flashed across his face. Oh shards, now her lie had made him feel bad.
The music slowed. “Another dance?” Kierion asked, eyes hopeful.
“Too much racing,” said Adelina stifling a fake yawn. “I’m done in. I’ll get a drink and go to bed.”
“Let me walk you.” Kierion took her elbow and steered her through the crowd to the drinks table. He grinned as he passed her a glass of juice. “None of this is salted.”
“Thanks, Kierion.” She’d love to spend time with him, but she had to see Ezaara—alone.
He swiped a plate of pastries from the desert table and they went into the corridor.
“Linaia, is Zaarusha about?”
“On the infirmary ledge.”
“Is someone hurt?”
“No. Ezaara and Marlies are talking, and Ezaara’s packing saddlebags.”
Shards, Ezaara was leaving now—without her.
“Linaia,” melded Adelina, “meet me at my cavern. Kierion is proving hard to shake.”
“The only time you haven’t enjoyed his company,” teased her cheeky dragon.
It was true, especially since Roberto had left with Tomaaz two moons ago, for Death Valley. Two moons. Shards, he’d be a wreck by now. Or dead.
Kierion chatted, but Adelina barely heard him. “Linaia, if we’re going to Death Valley with Ezaara, I’ll need warm clothes, healing supplies, food and water. Anything else?”
“Not that I can think of. I’ve hunted, so I’ll be fine. I’m waiting in my den.”
“Can you meld with Zaarusha and tell her to wait for us?”
“I’ve tried, but I can’t connect with her.”
“What about Erob?”
“You didn’t hear what I said, did you, Adelina?” Kierion asked.
His question jolted Adelina out of her thoughts. They’d reached her door. Adelina opened it. “Sorry, it’s been a long day.”
Kierion walked inside and deposited the plate of pastries on her bedside table. “There,” he said with a flourish. “Now you can rest the whole day tomorrow and not even get out of bed.”
He was so thoughtful. She’d lied to him and was brushing him off, yet he was still taking care of her. Adelina’s eyes pricked.
“You are tired.” Kierion looked down at her with his blue eyes and stroked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Good night,” he said softly and walked out the door.
He was her best friend and she’d lied to him, but she had no time to lose. Adelina threw on a cloak and ran to Linaia’s den with the pastries and a full waterskin. She didn’t have adequate supplies,
