Black Crown (Darkest Drae, #3)(63)

No.

I brushed my lips down his jaw. Has anyone ever mentioned you become monosyllabic when you’re turned on?

He kneaded my back and nestled closer to me. It’s because all the blood leaves my head.

I snorted and then suppressed a laugh. I needed to stop playing cards, or I wouldn’t want to stop, and neither would Tyrrik. I wrenched myself back and rotated away from Tyrrik’s face, hearing him groan behind me. Risking my mental health, I stole a glance to Dyter and the Veraldian servant. And froze. My mouth dried, and panic thundered in my chest.

“Where’s Dyter?” I asked, spinning back to Tyrrik.





24





Tyrrik blinked as though trying to see through a fog, and then shook his head, the focus returning to his eyes in a moment. He glanced over the crowd, a much easier task for someone of his height, and frowned.

“Well?” I demanded, still scouring the throng of Azulis myself. “They said no one leaves until morning.”

I can’t see him, Tyrrik said. But have you considered that he’s gone to find a corner somewhere? Maybe he wanted privacy?

I don’t care. He doesn’t get to do things like that. And he wouldn’t. Not when we’re in a new place with dodgy people.

I sniffed the food, Ryn. There was nothing wrong with it. And she was from Verald. Maybe they’re just catching up on old times.

“Like how Irdelron was the spawn of evil?” I snapped. “Sorry, but nope. I don’t care if I see Dyter’s hairy butt,” I decided after chewing on my bottom lip. “I need to know he’s okay. He can play cards where I can see him if that’s what he wants to be doing.”

I glanced around the room at the rest of our party again and sighed. If we went to find Dyter, the others would be left unattended, and they were definitely not being responsible. Crazy sex-show or not, I was done. I growled, “Let’s round the others up.”

“You go and get Dilowa,” Tyrrik said. “I’ll handle the others.”

“You mean you don’t want me to look at the naked male bodies of our group,” I grumbled, secretly relieved. Or not so secretly I supposed, thanks to the mate-bond. Bonded life.

Not waiting for his reply, I pushed into the throng, weaving my way through the pulsating and sweaty gathering toward Dilowa. Reaching out, I snagged what I hoped was her wrist.

She turned to me, cheeks flushed and eyes heavy with lust. Slurring, she said, “Lady Ryn?”

“Hey.” I drew the word out, doing my best to avoid looking at her partner, though they did appear to have most of their clothes on, unlike pretty much everyone else in the room. Drak, I hadn’t thought of an excuse for my interruption.

“Bathroom break?” I offered, jabbing my thumb behind me.

Her now-clear eyes narrowed. “Okay.”

“Woohoo,” I said and then pulled her away from her partner and into the crowd. I made it five feet before realizing how much resistance she was giving me, and I glanced back to see I was all-but dragging the commander along the ground. Yikes. “Sorry, my Drae is a little on edge right now.”

Releasing her wrist, I waited as she regained her footing and then averted my eyes as she adjusted her aketon.

Meet where we were before, I thought to Tyrrik.

“What’s actually happening?” Dilowa asked, now standing next to me. “I thought we were going to have the night to work the room?”

Is that what she called it? Okaay.

“Who was that?” I asked, jerking my head back at the guy she’d been with.

She arched a brow and moved in close, whispering in my ear, “Prince Marb, Queen Mily’s brother. He’s responsible for security.”

My eyes rounded. Either Dilowa knew how to pick ‘em, or she was incredibly lucky. “No way.”

“Way.”

“Can he get us out of here?” I asked as Tyrrik arrived with the rest of our team.

Zarad was shrugging back into his aketon, and an image of his butt flashed in my mind. I hoped I wouldn’t have to relive that memory too many more times.

“What’s the matter?” Zarad asked, his eyes flashing with frustration. The others in the group seemed to be hiding their frustration better if they were feeling it.

“Dyter’s missing,” I said to our group, lowering my voice, still untrusting of the clamor within the huge hall. Several of our group gave me a blank stare, and I huddled forward until they all did the same and repeated, “Dyter’s missing.”

“You don’t need us to find him,” one of the assassins said, straightening.

“Yes,” I snapped. “I do. I’m not leaving any of our group here in this strangeness.” I glared at Nielub and said sharply, “We came here for a reason, and it wasn’t just to have a good time. Or have you all forgotten that?”

Seriously, I was how old, and they were how old?

Tyrrik came to stand behind me. “We’re searching for Dyter now. Everyone is helping. Pair up, and canvas the room. Meet back here in ten minutes.”

Neilub cast a longing look back into the crowd and then groaned. “Fine.”

He spun away toward the archway to our right. It was the closest doorway to where Dyter and the woman had been. Perhaps the assassin had been paying more attention than I thought, but then he started toward the door, and I rolled my eyes.