Page 10 of Kingdom of Spirits
She drummed her fingers on the table. “What if recklessness was the only way to win?”
“I do sometimes act in a way that is not likely to succeed,” Marius said. “It’s oftentimes required in battle. But I always consider every angle first, therefore avoiding reckless action.”
The way she wanted to see him lose control… She licked her lips, blinked, and took another drink of mead.
“Now Ewan,” Marius said, “he is more like you, Tahlia.”
“I am?” Ewan tossed the dice and watched them land, eyes like a hawk. A one and a five. “Damn.” He pushed a gladecoin into the pot at the center of the table.
“You delight in taking risks and perhaps enjoy games a fraction more than the usual knight. Would you agree?” Marius asked Ewan.
Ewan shrugged and grinned at Tahlia. “I guess so.”
“Definitely,” Titus said.
Marius nodded and slid the dice toward himself. He gathered them and threw his roll. Two sevens and a three.
A cheer went up and Marius collected the coins. “Patient application of probability and reason always win in the end.”
“That line isn’t as rousingly inspiring as you might think,” Tahlia teased.
Marius narrowed his eyes in her direction, but his lips twitched like he wanted to laugh like everyone else was. Well, except Justus, who had gone quiet after Maiwenn and Claudia’s departure.
The evening was fun. Marius relaxed and their conversation wove its way through favorite pastimes as younglings to first loves. The riders shared stories of victories and of their first flights.
“Ragewing tried to kill me the first time I rode him.”
Tahlia laughed along with the others as she rolled the dice. Ugh. Another set of singles. “Really?”
“He was rather dedicated to my death, yes,” Marius said.
“But why would he choose you and then want to be rid of you?”
“Maybe it was a matter of instinct versus desire. His dragon soul called to my soul, as it does in a strong bond. But he desired to remain independent. He was torn.”
They played three more rounds, gobbled down a plate of spiced nuts, then everyone broke off and headed to their chambers for sleep.
Marius led Tahlia along the dark streets and through the firelit corridors of the keep.
“I lost some money I didn’t know I had tonight,” Tahlia said, laughing.
“I might have pushed a silver your way a time or two.”
“How naughty of you, High Captain.”
He took her hand as they climbed the staircase to his floor. “Would you like to stay the night with me?”
“I thought you’d never ask.”
His hand ran up and down her back and her breath lodged between one rib and the next. She swallowed, her body warming.
“Once we get there, you should take charge,” he said, his voice silky and achingly alluring in the darkness.
“We will take turns.”
They rounded the corner, and he kissed her temple quickly. “Already comfortable ordering me about, I see.”
He dismissed his guards and unlocked the chamber door. The scent of Marius along with the perfume of lemons—possibly from cleaning—drew her inside.