Fenrys' face hurt from the hours of constant smiling. He knew Aelin and Rowan weren't faring any better. Already, he'd seen Rowan rubbing his cheeks ruefully, before Aelin swatted his hand and told him to act like a King Consort instead of a bored child. The look Rowan gave her promised retribution for that remark. Fenrys pretended not to notice the aroused shift in their scents.

He scanned the ballroom, wondering how many guests were left to greet. There couldn't be too many. Everyone they had sent invitations to appeared to be there. Ansel of Briarcliff was dancing with Rolfe. Falkan Ennar was speaking with Lysandra, who was his niece, and Aedion, Darrow, and Evangeline stood beside her.

Sartaq and Nesryn were dancing. As were Chaol and Yrene. Elide sat on a chair near the wall, holding their young daughter while Lorcan watched over her shoulder. He almost seemed afraid of the baby, and kept pretending to be watching something else whenever Elide glanced at him.

The King and Queen of Eyllwe had been the last guests to arrive. They were now dancing, and their two sons were attempting to find partners. Ren Allsbrook stood in one corner, eyeing Manon Blackbeak, or Manon Crochan as she was more commonly called these days. The Witch Queen was once again dancing with Dorian Havilliard.

Fenrys wondered how long it would be before the two retired for the evening to one room, which Aelin had so firmly insisted they share. He had to smother a laugh, thinking about how many beds would go unslept in tonight, and how many more would be shared. Briefly, his thoughts drifted to his own bed, and the female he shared it with.

He'd seen Nascha dance by a few times already, twice with Dorian, once with Vaughan, and a third time with Ren. He wasn't sure who her partner was now, but he was growing increasingly agitated at the thought that it wasn't him. Fenrys struggled to catch sight of her crimson hair amidst the throng of guests, to no avail.

Aelin elbowed him. "I think we've stood here looking regal long enough. The only guests that haven't arrived are Rayan and Eliora, and they never responded to their invitation." Fenrys nodded, already walking off. "But keep an eye out for them anyway! We don't want them to know she's here."

"I remember," Fenrys replied. He circled around the dancing couples, searching for Nascha. He ignored several women who gave him pointed looks. Fenrys passed by Lorcan and Elide. "Have either of you seen Nascha?" He asked.

"I think she's dancing with Vaughan," Elide replied. Lorcan nodded wordlessly. Fenrys continued past them, now searching for Nascha or Vaughan.

He soon caught sight of them, dancing near Lysandra and her uncle. Fenrys wove through the crowd and paused. Nascha was devastating. The gown he and Lysandra had chosen for her accentuated every curve in her body and proudly flaunted her tanned skin and toned legs. A few stray wisps of hair curled against her neck, while the rest of it was styled on the back of her head with glittery black ribbon woven into it, and a diamond comb holding the ribbon in place.

The necklace Fenrys had given her rested just below her collarbone, which was on full display thanks to the swooping neckline of the gown. If he let his gaze fall, he knew he'd see the curve of her breasts and a strip of skin below them before the neckline ended. Fenrys drew in a deep breath and approached.

"I think it's my turn," he murmured behind Vaughan. At once, Vaughan let go and stepped aside. Fenrys slid a hand to the small of Nascha's back, which was bare beneath his palm.

"It's rude to interrupt a dance," Nascha admonished.

Fenrys held her close, breathing in her scent: nutmeg and frost. "I couldn't wait any longer. Watching you dance with everyone else has been torture."

"I had promised Nox Owen a dance after Vaughan," Nascha snickered.

"Nox Owen is going to have to be disappointed." Fenrys met her gaze and smiled. "You look beautiful."

"You're matching me."

Fenrys grinned. It was true. He wore a wine red tunic embellished by black embroidered vines, and a set of well fitting black pants. He'd drawn half of his hair up into a braid, but the rest of it hung loose over his shoulders. Nascha's fingers brushed against his neck as she threaded them through the ends of his golden curls.

"Are you complaining?" He asked, even as his heart skipped a beat.

Nascha smiled. "No, I just didn't know you were going to." Her hands strayed onto his chest and she tucked her head beneath his chin. "Red is a good color on you, Moonbeam." Fenrys buried his nose in her hair as they continued to dance.

All too soon, the music faded away and the musicians left for a short break. Fenrys led Nascha over to a sofa along one wall. A servant passed by, carrying a tray full of glasses. A few contained wine and champagne. Nascha took a glass filled with a familiar amber liquid. Fenrys chose wine for himself and took a sip as he sat. Nascha shifted closer to him and he rested his hand on her thigh.

Vaughan caught Fenrys' gaze from across the room. He joined them momentarily. "I think I'm going to go," he said, keeping his voice low.

"But it's not even that late yet," Nascha pointed out.

"Aren't you staying at the palace?" Fenrys added.

Vaughan shook his head. "I'm going home."

His dark eyes shone unnaturally bright as his gaze swept over the crowd. Nascha pursed her lips and shoved her drink into his hand. Vaughan didn't question her. He downed the whiskey in one gulp and set the empty glass on a tray when another servant walked by.

Fenrys leaned closer to Nascha. "Wait here. I'll be right back." She nodded and he rose, beckoning for Vaughan to follow. They left the ballroom and didn't speak until the clamor of voices grew muffled behind them. "Are you all right?" Fenrys asked.

"Yes." Vaughan didn't look at him. "I've accepted Aedion's offer. I'm going to help train the new recruits that are arriving."

"That's good." They fell silent again, drawing close to the front doors of the palace.

"It was starting to be too much," Vaughan admitted. "Too many people. Too much going on."

"Oh." Fenrys touched his shoulder gently. "Con was the same way."

"I know." A ghost of a smile crossed Vaughan's lips. "He could go on for hours about how much he hated being forced to attend Maeve's parties." His smile faded. "Especially when certain people had their eye on him and Maeve ordered him...ordered us, to see to their needs."

Fenrys' heart clenched with momentary pain. He remembered those times all too well. Rarely had he been the one sent away to accompany one of Maeve's favorites. She usually wanted him for herself. But Connall and Vaughan hadn't been so lucky. Gavriel was usually left alone, but every once in a while, even he was sent away with some male or female gripping his arm. Rowan, Lorcan, and Cairn never had to worry about things like that. They were too valuable. Too important to waste on such trivial matters.

Fenrys blinked the memories back and let go of Vaughan. "Take care of yourself, Brother. I'll let the others know you left if they ask about you." Vaughan nodded and shifted into his osprey, soaring away from the palace. Fenrys slowly returned to the ballroom, giving himself time to steady his thoughts.

◦ ~ ❘ ☼ ❘ ~ ◦

Nascha glanced up as Fenrys returned. "Is Vaughan all right?"

"He's fine. Sometimes crowds can become too much for him."

"I know the feeling." She narrowed her eyes, spying the tired look in his own. "Are you all right?"

"Memories," Fenrys answered vaguely. "Of the parties Maeve threw, and what came after."

Nascha hesitated, then slid her hand into his own, squeezing it gently. "None of you deserved what she put you through." She stood and tugged on his hand. "Come on."

"Where are we going?"

"To perform an act of defiance. Dance with me, and know that nothing will happen to either of us because of it." Nascha searched his onyx eyes, waiting for an answer.

Fenrys smiled faintly and joined her. She drew his other hand to her waist and draped her free arm around his neck. They began to dance, slowly at first. Nascha summoned her magic, letting thin tendrils of darkness wind around their arms. Starlight sparkled against her skin, reflecting in Fenrys' eyes.

"Your magic is beautiful," he said. "As beautiful as you."

"And your magic is as special as you," Nascha replied. She felt a rush of affection that wasn't her own, although she shared the feeling.

Fenrys led her into a twirl, then drew her back into his arms. They were close to the open doors of a balcony. A warm summer breeze wafted through them. Night was already stealing over Orynth. Fenrys tugged Nascha outside, where the dusting of silver on her skin became visible.

They moved beyond the view of the doors and Nascha leaned against the wall. The smooth stone was cool against her back. Fenrys lingered in front of her. Gently, he began to trace his fingers over her features. He traced the arch of her brows. He ran his fingertips over the bridge of her nose. He held her gaze, affection shimmering in the depths of his own as he brushed his thumbs over her cheeks. Her heart raced and heat crept into her face. He ran his fingers across her jawline and over her lips.

They traveled down her chin and onto her throat. Sparks bloomed beneath his fingertips. Fenrys' hands trailed over her collarbone and down her chest, then shifted to her waist. He leaned closer, his nose following the path his fingers had left. Nascha shivered as his breath tickled her skin. He pressed feather soft kisses to her neck, working his way back up to her face.

"There's so much I want to say," he whispered, his lips tracing the curve of her jaw. "So much that I need to say." Fenrys kissed the corner of her mouth, then lifted his head and met her gaze. Raw emotion lingered in his own. "Let me speak to you just as Fenrys, and answer me just as Nascha. Don't think about our roles or why we're even here right now. Don't think about anything but what I'm about to say, and how you're going to respond. Don't even consider how you're going to respond. Just do it. Say whatever you think of."

Nascha nodded wordlessly. "Have you forgiven me for what happened in the past? Can you look beyond it?" Fenrys asked.

"Yes," she answered.

"Do you still hate me?"

"No." Her lips quirked sideways. "Well, only when you annoy me."

Fenrys smiled and continued. "Are you happy with me?"

"Yes."

"Do you care for me?"

"Yes."

Fenrys drew in a deep breath, holding her gaze. "I regret what happened in the past and the effects it has had on you. I don't regret failing to bring you to Maeve. When I think about what might have happened, it's enough to make me sick. I don't hate you, and if I ever said that I did, know that it was a lie. You can be infuriating and I do get angry with you, but I don't hate you."

    "I have never felt happier than I do with you. Not even the short time I had with Seraphina compares to the time I've had with you. You have made me feel things that she never did. She will always be precious to me, but you have become even more so."

"I care for you more than I ever thought I would. More than I have ever cared for another. I care for you in a way that I don't even understand. Everything that has happened between us... Everything that I have done, was because I care for you. I cared for you from the very beginning, and I didn't even know it. I care for you so much more now."

He swallowed and exhaled slowly. "You once asked me to find you someone to fall in love with. I...I have fallen in love with you. Have you fallen in love with me?"

Nascha's voice was nothing but a whisper. "Yes." She threw her arms around his neck and pressed her lips to his. Fenrys held her close, letting her lead. Nascha kissed him deeply. Passionately. With a claiming touch that hadn't been there before.

She obeyed his wishes and didn't think about what this conversation meant for them. What it meant for her. She reacted as Nascha, and only Nascha. She let the kiss become wilder. Nascha tangled her hands in Fenrys' hair. She kissed him hungrily, barely pausing to catch her breath.

Fenrys matched her energy, pushing her back harder against the wall. "Nascha," he breathed, almost reverently. "Nascha." She grunted in annoyance as he pulled his lips from hers and began kissing her jaw. Her neck. His canines teased her skin and Nascha's heart skipped a beat. Fenrys pressed his hips into hers. Nascha bit back a moan, feeling the hard bulge in his pants.

"Do it," he said, capturing her lips in another kiss. Nascha moaned into his mouth and Fenrys gave a pleased laugh. She stiffened, hearing footsteps approaching.

Fenrys bared his teeth in an irritated snarl as Lysandra appeared. "Sorry if I'm interrupting, but you two need to leave. Rayan and Eliora just arrived."

"We were just going," Fenrys growled. Lysandra narrowed her eyes and ducked back into the ballroom. Nascha held onto Fenrys as wind roared around them. The balcony faded away and when she opened her eyes, they were standing in the cabin.

"Why are we back here?" She asked.

"Because I need you, and I don't want anyone else to hear you," Fenrys replied.

Nascha smirked. "So you did just want to get me out of this dress."

Fenrys' gaze wandered over her. "On the contrary. I want you to wear that as long as you can."

Nascha bit her lip, glancing just below his hips. "That won't be very long." Fenrys laughed and prowled towards her, until she bumped into the foot of the bed and sat down.