His Forsaken Luna-Chapter 63: Flattery & Dancing (1)

She does not know just how ethereal her beauty is.

It is envy among many.

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Usually, a royal graces the dance floor first with their partner of choice to begin the ball officially. Tonight, the Alpha King leads Liva to the floor beside us, our entrance shocking many as they part ways from the crowds waiting to dance with their selected partners.

Younger Weres only just entering society still have dance cards, waiting to find a mate. They are not many as the season has come to an end and those older and in need of a mate attended the Moonlight Masquerade.

The quartet to the side begins to play, and music harmoniously floats along the floor and walls. Alaric and Liva step forward, starting the dance. Ten steps into watching them fly gracefully along the floor, neither looking away from their intense, silent stare and soft smiles, Eryx leads me forward next.

His touch ignites heat within me, reminding me of something that I’d begun forgetting about due to everything that had happened the last few days. I breathe out slowly, ignoring the way my insides curl and tighten, and warmth floods my veins. My chin tilts back so I can look up at Eryx, trusting him to lead me along the dance floor without any injury or problem.

Surprisingly, my body relaxes, allowing him to lead. Eryx notes this, and his eyebrows slowly rise as we glide along the floor. He must have sensed I wouldn’t trust him. My only dance partner to date has been Alaric.

"We make quite the pair," Eryx smirks, and I know he is probably boosting his own ego.

Like he needs to. Every woman and man, single and taken, stare at him tonight. They were either curious or lusted after him. Nobody would dare try anything unless they wanted to be snubbed out of society.

"That we do," I say, but I do not quite feel it. Eryx is handsome, the type that captivates one immediately with danger emanating from him, yet he is not soft and beautiful like Theo. While I... Well, if I had been well fed, and wasn’t scrawny, my cheekbones too sharp, my eyes too big for my face, I might have said once I had looks.

Eryx notes the slight off-balance tone in my voice. "That witch may have been controlling these courts, Lia, but nobody can deny that you are an unblemished pearl among dirt. Women watch you because they envy you and men..." His hand tightens on my waist and hand. "Want you."

I scoff, my cheeks heating at his compliments. "Women do not envy me... Who would envy the girl without a wolf, without a mother, and who is constantly ridiculed by court?"

Eryx frowns. "Those envious attack what they can never have."

I sigh, not wishing to speak about such things. Our steps and bodies are so in sync that I allow myself to fall into the rhythm of his body, enjoying the freedom it brings with the soft wind gracing my face.

"If I didn’t know better," Eryx drawls, spinning me around so my back is to his chest, his hand on my hip. "You are enjoying this."

"I have only ever had one dance partner," I say, a little breathless. It is not because the steps of the dance are hard nor due to bad stamina but because of the way my body reacts to his. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

Heat zaps down to my lower belly from where he touches me. "And my second, the Alpha Prince of Sun and Fury, knows how to move. I am truly fortunate."

"Ah." His face lowers so it is beside my throat. His hair tickles my skin as his nose skims the side of my neck. Our steps are light as we stay like this, slow and smooth. Yet I am dizzy from his scent and the heat coursing through me.

His large arms hold me up like a fortress or cage, both protective and strong. "I’d say you are enjoying this a lot," he almost purrs against my skin, and I can’t help the way my body tingles and lights up to him.

Ugh.

"Stop teasing. Why are we here on display? You have blackmailed me and not really put me to any use," I hiss back before he spins me aggressively until I slam into his front again. I glare up at him.

"Teasing? I can tease you if you want. I am... quite a master. Perhaps you need a reminder," Eryx grins down at me, all charm. It bounces off me. It is his body that makes mine almost a puddle on the ground. I’m surprised my legs still know how to work.

I glare up at him, but it loses its power when his hands clamp down on my hips, and I am lifted in the air above him. My eyes widen, and my breath leaves me. Is this what it is like at his height?

We spin slowly, but my stomach flutters from the height. I have only ever been taught this dance and never repeated it on the floor. It is for lovers and mates.

We stare at each other, but he wears a cocky smirk as small tendrils of my hair come loose from my braid and kiss the side of my face as I trust him to hold me. Then he releases me, hands letting go of my hips, and I drop. My breath is ripped from me again, and then I am on the ground again, and he leads me across the floor.

"Stop playing!" Annoyance bubbles in my voice even as my heart rapidly beats, and an adrenaline rush fills my body from the dance.

"Your blushing cheeks suit you, Lia," he replies smoothly, turning me aggressively again, and this time my backside bumps into his front.

His large hand splayed on my stomach. "And are you enjoying yourself, Eryx?" I ask, my chest rising and falling a little quickly. I am not out of breath because of the moves but because I can’t keep up with the rush of energy and emotions in turmoil within me.

I know Eryx would not be at this dance without a reason. Yet, I am struggling to focus on interrogating him.

"With you, Lia," he whispers by my ear. "Yes."

My eyes close, shuttering from his words. He is just trying to charm me into submission or forget about my line of thought. I sigh as our hips move side to side, our steps slow. We have gone near a quieter corner of the hall while others can dance more freely, gliding along the floor. Still, others look our way.

I’d completely forgotten about everyone else. Eryx leads me so well that the world around us fades away. Who would have known he’d be so good? The guy was a giant!

Eryx’s nose drops to my collarbone, and he inhales deeply. I feel his chest expand against me. "My men are searching Alaric’s study," he whispers, his voice rumbling against my skin. Nobody can hear our conversation.

"You’re..." My mouth opens and shuts, unable to form words as my mind registers what he said. "W-why?"

I couldn’t fathom what he was searching for in my brother’s study. I also didn’t expect Eryx to confess to me what he was doing. He is using me for his own gain and hasn’t said anything besides ensuring I go on these dates with him.

"I need to ensure he will not backstab me," he shrugs behind me, but his face is still hiding against my collarbone and neck, those lips brushing my skin as he speaks, inciting goosebumps to surface along my shoulders and arms.

I force myself to focus on his words rather than the way my body reacts to him. Eryx must be doing this to me on purpose. Why is there a sudden need to check files in Alaric’s study? Or have they been doing stuff like this all along?

"We are trying to stop the war between our kingdoms. Why would he backstab you?" I ask as we move slowly, his hand on my stomach flexing slightly; it makes a small gasp escape my lips.

"I do not understand this either. Which is why I must be sure. We had a meeting this morning, and I sensed Alaric genuinely wants change. Some of his council members did not seem happy about how the proceedings were going," he explained before I spun and slammed into his front again.

I squeeze my eyes shut for a moment to the intense sensations ricocheting my body from the feel of his. His thumb and finger pinch my chin and tilt my head back so I am gazing at him again. I force my focus away from those mesmerising lips. "Alaric is the King and has the final say," I whisper. "He will control the council members."

"Hmmm..." Eryx’s thumb somehow moved from my chin and grazed along my bottom lip. "If he cannot control them then it will make things difficult for all of us. No matter... I’m sure we can figure out a way to keep your ’protective brother’ motivated in keeping a peace treaty."

"How...?" My lips brushed against his thumb, and I let them part from its weight as I stared up at him.

Eryx stares at my lips, and slowly, insufferably so, those green eyes land on mine, locking my stare in his hold. "I’m sure I will find a way."