Radiance (Wraith Kings Book 1)(56)

“This isn’t court,” he said. “And you need to be there because you are my second and an important member of my household. Your presence is expected.” He didn’t mention that Serovek had asked after her when they traveled to High Salure to dine with him. Sha-Anuset was his trusted lieutenant and a woman of exceptional martial skill and leadership abilities. Had she been human, Brishen had no doubt Serovek would have attempted to lure her away to act as one of his commanders.

“I refuse to dance,” she proclaimed in a final show of rebellion and swung into the saddle.

Brishen shrugged. “That is your choice.” His lips twitched. “The last time I recall being forced to dance with you, you crushed every one of my toes. We’ll consider it a favor if you just watch this time.”

She glared at him and nudged her horse into a brisk trot toward the barracks where the rest of the escort awaited her.

Brishen returned to the house and made his way to Ildiko’s room. He could hear the gentle peaks and troughs of female conversation through the door. His knock was met with silence before a set of footsteps approached and the door swung open. Sinhue bowed and motioned him inside.

Ildiko sat on a stool before a looking glass. Dressed as a Kai noblewoman, she wore the split skirt-tunic and trousers in the dark colors she typically preferred—this time a combination of brown dark as tea steeped long in a pot and lustrous amber that shimmered in the candlelight.

She met his gaze in the mirror’s reflection. Her face was paler than usual, marred by lavender shadows under her eyes and the amaranthine splash edging her jaw. Her fiery hair was partially up, bound into braids woven with tiny pearls. She was stunning, and Brishen’s breeches grew uncomfortably tight the longer he stared at her.

“I think we still have a little time, yes?” She indicated the servant with a tilt of her head. “Sinhue is almost finished with my hair.”

Sinhue offered another bow to Brishen before skirting around him to return to her mistress. Her nimble fingers worked magic with a comb, and in no time Ildiko’s hair was coiffed, beaded and pinned. The servant left them alone then, a knowing look on her face as she eased out of the room, leaving the door open.

Ildiko rose from the stool to face Brishen and spread her arms. “What do you think? Presentable for our guests?”

Brishen narrowed the distance between them until they were toe to toe. He leaned down and placed a soft kiss on the tip of her earlobe. Even though he didn’t touch her beyond that small caress, he felt her shiver. “Beautiful, though even more so without clothes.” They smiled at each other. “Regrets?” he asked.

She shook her head. “Only that I fell asleep.”

He nuzzled the soft hairs at her temple. “Who cares about the guests. Come to my bed. Now.”

He knew she’d say no. It was a foregone conclusion, and the worst thing she could do was say no. But if she said yes...

She turned her head toward him until her cheek pressed against his. “You’ll ruin my hair,” she teased.

“And you’re ruining my peace,” he countered. He laid his hand on her slender waist. “What say you?”

“Later,” she replied. “We’re the hosts, Brishen. We can’t be late.”

He sighed, stepped away from temptation, and offered his arm. “Let’s get this over with then.” He escorted her into the hall and toward one of the staircases that led to the great hall.

Ildiko squeezed his arm. “I don’t miss the Haradis court, but I do miss your court garb. You will be the handsomest man in the room.”

Brishen gave her a small smile. “You mean the handsomest Kai.” She had earlier complimented Serovek’s looks when asked. In her eyes, he would be the finer looking of them.

Her mouth turned down a little. “No,” she said. “The handsomest man.”

“Lord Pangion will be there.”

Ildiko shrugged. “So? My opinion remains unchanged.”

He halted abruptly and hauled Ildiko into his arms. She gasped, then sighed when he kissed her. Her arms slid over his shoulders to play with the long braid of hair he’d queued at his neck.

Brishen forgot about time, about guests, about dinner, about the world around him. He cursed his inability to kiss her the way she kissed him—that soft mating of tongues and lips so sensual and alluring, she made his head swim.

He groaned when the warning peal of the gate bell rang throughout the estate, signaling the arrival of visitors. Ildiko’s blue eyes had darkened once more, and her lips were red. Her arms slid off his shoulders, and she put some much needed distance between them. “We’ll never make it to the hall if we keep doing this.”

“I don’t view that as a problem,” he groused.

“I don’t either, but others will.” She tugged on his arm. “Come, Your Highness. We need to make our grand entrance.”

Brishen schooled his features into a polite mask, placed his wife’s hand over his and escorted her toward the hall. A long, long night awaited him.





CHAPTER NINETEEN


Standing this close to him, Ildiko was struck by Serovek's impressive size. He was a big man—a little taller than Brishen—with massive shoulders and long, muscular legs. He looked as if he could crush anvils with his bare hands. She wondered if his gregarious personality contributed even more to the sense of physical power he exuded.