Seven Black Diamonds (Seven Black Diamonds #1)(7)

It was a song he’d written far before tonight, one that rode charts on every continent, but as he sang, he stared only at her, and Lily couldn’t help the foolish feeling that his words were just for her. It was impossible, but in that instant, she believed he was begging her to save him.

This was part of why the fae-blood were imprisoned. History taught that the fae were manipulative and cruel. Reality proved that they could manipulate people with their affinities and their innate beauty.

Although Creed Morrison wasn’t using his gifts to hurt people, he obviously could twist emotions with his voice—or maybe Lily was more susceptible to him. Either way, she felt the magic of a fae affinity in his voice, and it made her struggle not to respond. The question was whether that response was to go to him or to lash out at him with her own affinities. Neither would be wise.

By the time Lily had finished the gifts, Erik was waiting. Gently, he pulled her out of her chair. No one was on the dance floor yet. Her feet made next to no sound as she followed him.

“Tango?” he asked.

The music Creed was playing was all wrong, but they could make it work.

“Don’t expose my thigh,” she warned.

“I thought this was a weapon-free event.”

Lily rolled her eyes. “Am I to believe that neither you nor your father are armed?”

“I only have what I was permitted by my host,” Erik said, reminding her in his usual way that he was in a separate class from the rest of the guests. Daidí trusted no one as much as he trusted the Gaviria family, and the idea of any of them being unarmed was as likely as Lily leaving her room without a blade of some sort.

When Erik stepped back, he stared at her, and a prickle of nervousness slid over her, but then he nodded. They both took several steps toward the other. Erik lifted his left hand and simultaneously curled his right arm around her body. His hand rested on her back with a familiarity that the dance allowed.

She took his hand and wrapped her free arm around him as well.

“The rock star can’t take his eyes off of you,” Erik said as he pulled her closer to him.

She rolled her eyes. “Daidí hired him.”

Erik walked her backward, hip to hip. “I know you, Lily. You’re looking back at him.”

Lily followed Erik’s lead, the hardest part of the Argentine tango for her. Being passive, even in a dance, didn’t come easily. Her skirt brushed against him, and she felt the material swish as they moved, reminding her how close they were.

“He’s not one of us.”

Lily stiffened in his arms. If Erik knew that Creed was more like her than he was, it would be dangerous. Still, she refused to lie to Erik—or to admit things that could lead to trouble.

For a few moments, they danced in tense silence until Erik said, “I like you being in my arms like this, Lily. We could be more than this.”

She frowned. “I thought you were seeing that girl, Amalie or whatever.”

“She’s temporary.” Erik twisted his hips in a move a touch too familiar for in front of an audience. The speed of the music, Erik’s unexpected possessiveness, and the dance itself made for a display that revealed more about their relationship than she wanted. At least they weren’t alone on the dance floor now. People began to join them. It offered some degree of cover for the statement that Erik was apparently making.

“We were wrong to think we shouldn’t unify our organizations,” he murmured. “I think we should reconsider.”

“I haven’t even decided if I’m going on to university after I finish school or—”

“You could still do that,” he interrupted. “Get a business degree or pursue law. Father and I discussed it. I would handle the businesses for both families if you choose to go to school.”

“We wouldn’t suit that way, Erik,” she said softly.

“We could suit.” He dipped her backward, and when he brought her up, his lips were all but touching the skin of her throat.

“I can’t be like Se?ora Gaviria was. Your mother was lovely, but I’m not passive, Erik. Even if I loved you, I wouldn’t be able to be a silent partner. Daidí raised me to be in charge.”

“I know,” Erik said. “I’ve discussed it with Father. For you, I would write new rules. We would. Together.”

She stared at him as he removed her only logical objection. She wasn’t sure if she should be pleased or angry. Just then, she felt both in equal parts.

“Say you’ll be my wife someday, Lily.”

They danced for another few moments, and still she couldn’t speak. Finally, she managed to reply, “I can’t. I’m too young to think about this, and I’m not sure . . . of anything right now. I’m sorry.”

“Then say you’ll at least consider it,” he insisted as the song ended.

Lily wasn’t ready for the sort of decisions she was being asked to make. She wasn’t sure of where she wanted to be in the next year, much less forever. “I can’t even say maybe.”

“I can wait a little longer if you’re at least willing to think about it, Lily.”

The music switched to something that would be entirely wrong for a tango, even with Erik’s skill. Lily glanced toward the stage. Creed stared back at her, worry plain in his eyes, and she knew that the tempo change wasn’t an accident.