Page 30 of A Kiss of Flame
She wanted to offer to leave, to say they’d find another way, but footsteps approached. The pair of elder pixie gentlemen who had spent the evening chatting intensely by the pool appeared around the reeds. One looked at Barith, the other at Levian. They were obviously related—short, with the same wavy hair, thick brows, and large noses.
“The faerie was right,” the one to Levian’s left said. “We don’t get many dragons in Kamár.”
“Especially none like you,” the other added, looking Barith over with admiration.
“You’re Merlin’s girl?” the pixie in front of Levian asked.
Levian fought to stay calm. “I am,” she said curtly, arms crossed. She waited for the inevitable crass remark about her father.
The pixie smirked. “I’m Hugh,” he said, pointing at the other. “My cousin, Artie.” Artie grumbled a greeting. Hugh’s gaze sharpened, and Levian could tell he was not someone to be trifled with. “I was acquainted with your father for a time,” Hugh said.
“I’m sorry,” she replied in half feigned apology.
Hugh grinned, showing off a mouthful of nearly perfect teeth, save for a single gold one in front. “Don’t be.”
Sil appeared behind the pixies, and neither turned to acknowledge the fae. “Take them to the inner suite,” Hugh commanded.
Sil’s eyes widened briefly in surprise. “Of course,” they replied with a nod.
“Inner suite?” Barith questioned.
Artie looked between them. “A private area,” was all he offered.
Hugh’s gaze stayed on Levian. “Come and enjoy yourselves,” he said. “Then maybe we’ll talk about why you really came to Kamár.”
A jolt ran up Levian’s spine. Hugh smirked as he and Artie moved down the path, Artie muttering about the dragon’s impressive size. Levian blinked up at Barith before they both turned to Sil.
“What private chamber?” Barith asked.
Sil smiled. “The one that requires a direct invitation from the masters of Kamár,” they replied, slipping down the path to lead the way. Levian had suspected the pixies might be related to the Eldreth, but she hadn’t thought they were the masters of Kamár. Her stomach twisted. Apparently, they had just met the Eldreth themselves, standing in the middle of a pebbled path, barely clothed.
Barith looked at her. “Are ye sure about this, Vi?” he asked when Sil was some distance ahead.
She shook her head. “No,” she admitted.
He sighed, stepping forward to follow their fae escort. “So, just like old times,” he said, holding out his hand to her. “Just promise me ye won’t let them lock me in a cage like an exotic bird and auction me off to some kinky fae prince.”
Levian chuckled, taking his hand. She felt more at ease knowing he was alright. As long as Barith was with her, she knew she’d get what she needed. Besides, it wouldn’t be a true adventure without some danger and mystery. “Never,” she replied, crossing her finger over her heart playfully. “Though I’d love to watch them try.”
Chapter Nine
Barith tried to tamp down the fire bubbling up inside him as he followed Levian and Sil through the dark passageway. He’d been upset. He was still upset. But it had been sloppy and childish of him to openly state their intentions back at the pool.
They’d changed out of their wet clothes while Levian had laid out her slightly altered plan. They had the attention of the Eldreth now, so all they needed to do was play their parts and hope for an opportunity to mention the orb. Barith had communicated in nothing but grumbles and grunts.
Levian sashayed ahead of him, her silk slip dress clinging and hinting at every curve of her lithe body. He needed to get a handle on himself. To tamp down the fire she’d started. Barith hadn’t realized he’d growled until Levian shot him a look back over her shoulder.
Barith forced himself to keep his eyes on the back of her curled head. They hadn’t talked about the kiss. She hadn’t mentioned it once, though it was all he could think about. Flashes played over and over in his mind, and he struggled to push them away—her soft skin and sweet lips, the way his insides had turned molten with raw desire. He was still smoldering.
He wasn’t much in the mood for this adventure anymore, but he was trying to rally himself for her sake. He’d promised Levian his help. It wasn’t her fault he was a delusional horned-up git. He’d taken it too far back at the pool, and he felt like an arse for it. In the moment, he’d thought he’d felt something shared between them. Something—real.It wasn’t the first time he’d been wrong, but it stung all the same.
“The rules of the inner chambers are the same,” Sil explained, drawing him out of his head, “but within, you’ll find many attendants willing to deliver whatever you desire. Don’t hesitate to request anything you feel may enhance your experience. Truly, anything.”
Levian took Barith’s arm, and the fire sizzled deep in his core. She smiled at the fae, unaware of his struggle. At the very end of the hall hung a long black velvet curtain, which Sil pulled back with a grin and encouraged, “Do enjoy yourselves.”
“Aye,” Barith grumbled as they slipped through the barrier. “We intend to.”
The main room of the inner chambers was dark and intimate. The floors were dark marble, covered in lush carpets and oversized pillows that resembled beds. Several couches and chairs were tucked into dim corners. The walls, rather than enchanted, were dark-paneled wood with flaming sconces. The whole atmosphere brought to mind an upscale London brothel from centuries ago. There was a nostalgic quality and a level of unfettered debauchery that seemed to suit the dark ambiance.