Page 223 of Sunsplitter

Music swelled to fill the ballroom: horns, drums, clarinet, so bright and bold they burrowed into Fi’s ribs.

Antal pulled her onto the dance floor, straight into a twirl.

Fi supposed she could let him lead a little longer.

They both fell into the rhythm, the same way they’d first come together in Fi’s cabin all those months ago. This daeyari had surprised her then, how well he led, how well the two of them moved as one. When Antal spun her, Fi’s dress flared in crimson and starlight. When he tugged her close around the waist, all the world vanished beyond the curve of his grin.

Other guests joined the dance. Even the ballroom wasn’t large enough to hold them all, doors thrown open so the crowd could spill into the capitol plaza, frosted cobblestone overhung with energy lamps and standing heaters.

When Fi tired of dancing, the smell of food drew her outside, caterers gathered from all over the city. There were pastries with custard filling and honey glaze. Roasted aurorabeast. Mulled wine that warmed Fi’s stomach. Kashvi and Syvr argued over a pot of daeyari coffee that Fi had finally secured a supply line for, the wary onlookers thawing with intrigue.

In the sea of faces, Fi locked eyes with Clarence, her offering a grateful smirk, him returning a toast of his glass. The owner of Fi’s favorite soup shop pressed a steaming mug into her hands, entreating her not to catch a cold again. Antal’s tailor preened over his jacket, proudly pointing out the details to all who’d listen. At the edge of the plaza, Iliha oversaw a group of children feeding fish to Aisinay. Skin cool, cheeks flushed, Fi waded through the crowd with arm locked around Antal’s, marveling.

It didn’t feel like just a wedding. The night felt like the city was alive. Their city, their people, come together to fend off the cold.

The visiting daeyari kept to themselves, observing the revel with fascination. Fi accompanied Antal as he personally thanked each one for their attendance, balancing two worlds with a diplomacy he was already getting better at.

“Hardly a celebration,” one of the older councilors muttered, “without a proper meal…”

“Lyve, myfriend!” Fi spoke with slicing enthusiasm, draping one arm fondly over the daeyari’s shoulders. He stared at her in shock, but she only grinned. “Have you tried the human coffee? I’m sure you’ll love it.”

Fi could have sworn she heard Qirza laugh into her mug.

The hour grew late. Fi had detached herself from Antal to pull Aisinay back from the mulled wine casks, when a prickle went down her neck. Syvr stood beside her, grin mischievous.

A new thrill stirred Fi’s chest, another mix of anticipation and nerves.

“Ready?” she whispered.

“Whenever you are, Voidwalker.”

Syvr was gone by the time she turned. Fi waded through the crowd until she found Antal.

“Come with me,” she whispered so low, lips so close to his ear, he’d never refuse.

Fi led the way this time, pulling Antal behind her, away from the celebration and into the quiet halls of the capitol building.

“Where are we going?” Antal asked, simply for the sake of asking, to enjoy Fionamara cast another scheming grin across her shoulder.

“Patience, daeyari. You’ll see.”

She could have asked him to walk into the frozen Thomaskweld River, and he’d not have fought. Not tonight, when he was drunk on her smile. Not tonight, when the warmth of her hand in his, the truth of herbeinghis, struck him deeper than an aedari arrow.

The halls of the capitol building were quiet, not so overwhelming with smells of cooked food and spiced wine. A welcome reprieve. Not to say the plaza wasn’t nice. All those people,hispeople, come to celebrate, to live alongside him rather than fleeing.

But the hour was late. And he’d go anywhere Fionamara asked.

She was ethereal in crimson and black. Silver glinted down her dress, her antlered circlet, her eye bright as starlight. Merciless Void, she was gorgeous in that dress. Playful, the way she tugged his hand. Mischievous, with each backward glance. Thekind of beast who could lure him in with her teeth, make him savor being skinned.

His cock stirred at the prospect, Fionamara leading them somewhere private, where she could make use of that wicked mouth.

The door they arrived atwasprivate. But unexpected. She unlocked the bolt and pulled them into the small room.

A Curtain hung in the air.

When the capitol building was first constructed, there’d been no Curtains within its grounds. This one, Fionamara had cut as an entry. A permanent fixture now, the Curtain was enclosed when the capitol was rebuilt, locked away to prevent unwanted visitors.

Antal cocked his head. “Why are we—”