A Kingdom of Venom and Vows (Stars and Shadows #3)(45)

Sorin grinned at her before looking back at me. “Get on with it.”

Evren wrapped an arm around the back of my chair as he spoke. “It’s not as bad as Thalia makes it sound. Just take it down in one go.”

“You’re not giving me much confidence here.” I swirled the liquid before I lifted the bottle and pressed it to my lips. The deep woodsy taste of the spirit hit my tongue instantly, but it was the strong burn in my throat that had me coughing as I wiped the liquid away from my lips. “That’s horrible.”

Evren took the bottle from my hand and swallowed down the drink as unbothered as Sorin had been, and I reached for my wine to chase away the taste.

My head swam with the feeling of the spirits, but it was the way Evren laughed at my side that made me feel light-headed.

“Come here.” He passed the bottle to Thalia before he took my arm in his hand and pulled me until I was sitting in his lap. He moved me until my back was pressed against his chest, and he settled back into his seat until we were both relaxed.

His hand trailed up my arm before he laced his fingers into my hair and played with it mindlessly.

And made me squirm against him.

Sorin dealt the next hand, and I did my best to keep my cards hidden from Evren. But it was no use. He won that hand and the next, and by the time a few more hands were dealt, I was playing worse and giggling from the way the liquor was making me feel.

“I think Adara might have had enough.” Evren grinned up at me as I took another sip of my wine, and I turned in his lap until my legs laid across him and hung over the arm of the chair.

“I think she has not.” I lifted my glass and took another drink.

“Agreed.” Thalia laughed and gave me a lopsided grin before she lifted her glass in my direction. A bit sloshed over the side, but she didn’t seem to notice. “We’re just getting started.”

“When did Thalia become such a lightweight?” Sorin grumbled, but when he looked at her, his gaze softened. He rested his head on the back of his chair, and he stared over at her with hooded eyes and a soft smile on his lips.

Even with the dizzying effects of the liquor, it was easy to see that the way he looked at her was much more than Thalia tried to make it out to be.

“You’re so adorable, Sorin.” I sighed, and Evren stiffened beneath me.

“Excuse me?” Evren asked, and his hand wrapped around my hip.

“Look at him.” I waved my hand in his direction and a bit of wine sloshed out of my cup and into Evren’s lap. “Oops.” I giggled and wiped at the wet spot, even though it didn’t do any good.

“He is handsome.” Thalia laughed, and I looked up at her.

“Yes! See?” I pointed toward my friend. “And the way he looks at you.” I bit down on my knuckle playfully, causing Thalia to snort.

Sorin only grinned, and I knew the man loved the attention he was getting. “If only she’d give me a chance, Adara.” He pressed his hand over his heart, and Thalia rolled her eyes.

But there was such a light there. A playful look on her face that made the heaviness in my chest lighten even more.

“Don’t let him fool you. He’s had plenty of chances.” Thalia took another sip of her wine, and Jorah leaned forward and collected the cards from the table.

There was a look on his face that I couldn’t quite place. Not quite jealousy, but he looked uncomfortable with our conversation.

I cocked my head to the side as I studied him.

Evren tightened his hands around me, and I turned my head to look back at him.

He shook his head once, a warning for me to leave the thought alone, and I lifted my hand that was wrapped around his back and pushed my fingers into his hair. The strands were so soft, so silky between my fingers, and I dug my fingertips into his scalp.

He leaned his head back, closing his eyes against the feeling, and there was such a calmness to him. A contentment that made my chest ache.

It made me never want to leave his side ever again.

“I can’t wait to marry you.” I thought I whispered the words, but Evren’s gaze popped open, and I heard Thalia giggle again from across the table.

Evren’s fingers dug into my side, pulling me closer to him, and he grinned as his lips pressed against my cheek. “I think you might be drunk.”

“Just a little.” I sighed and tugged on his hair until he was forced to look back up at me. “But this has nothing to do with that.” I searched his dark, heavy gaze, and gods, I was so in love with him.

My stomach tightened as he watched me. Here he was in my hands, and I still somehow felt like I couldn’t get enough of him.

Even with my hands digging into his scalp and his body against mine, I couldn’t stop thinking about how badly I had missed him. How I never wanted to miss him again.

“I want to marry you.”

Evren’s gaze shuddered, and he lifted his hands until they were pressed against my cheeks. He pushed my hair out of my face, and his hands held me firmly yet like I was the most precious thing he’d ever touched.

“You have no idea how badly I want to make you my wife.” His voice was quiet and rough, and my stomach tightened at the sound. “I think of it night and day. I want to claim you in every way this world will allow, and even then, it wouldn’t be enough.”

My wineglass pressed between us as he kissed me, the movement slow and deliberate, yet it felt like desperation.