“I was too busy researching whatever is going on with that hole in the ground.”
“Ah. I’m glad that’s the reason. I would hate for you to give up competing with me. After all, I had more than enough customers to share all day long.”
Tully’s delicate nostrils flare, and she pauses, her piece of bread dripping cheese onto the table. She seems to shake herself, and then she lifts her chin and puts her pink little tongue out to catch another string of cheese before she devours the bite.
I’ve never wanted to be cheese, but I suppose there is a first time for everything.
Grumlin claps his hands from where he’s climbed up on top of a table near the band. “Time for dancing! Move the tables!”
I’ve fully given up trying to get a word with the wizard. This is pretty obviously not the right time. The Leafshire Cove inhabitants are well-versed in Grumlin’s command. Before I can do more than save the last of my shots, our table and all the others are scooted to the sides of the room.
“Move, move,” Tully demands as she takes hold of my chair.
I stand and the room tilts. “Whoa. I guess those shots are finally catching up to me.”
A quiet cackle comes from Tully’s direction. She’s tucking my chair beside the others against the wall under a tapestry of maplecats playing dice. The music is rising—lutes, pipes, and a hand drum of some sort. I remember to clap along quickly like Cyrus told me, so I don’t have to buy everyone a round.
The clapping erodes into a dancing. Tully takes my hand and I don’t even argue. She pulls me close and begins dragging me around the makeshift dance floor. I grip her waist and stare into her green eyes.
“I know what you’re doing,” I say.
“Oh yes? What is that, exactly?”
“You’re getting me drunk so you can have your way with me and then leave me brokenhearted so I give up my business.”
Her head tilts back, and she laughs loudly over the sound of the music and the crowd. “You would think that.” Her gaze strays behind me to my tail. The unmistakable shine of desire washes over her gaze. “Males are quite similar even when they are minotaurs.”
“Why else would you be giving me too many shots and dancing with me, your rival?” Even if she wasn’t a witch with magic that I find endlessly fascinating, I’d be completely enthralled by this female. She’s just so muchmorethan everyone else.
“Shhh.” She puts a finger over my lips, and my tongue darts out to lick her cool fingertip. She startles, her wicked grin fading and her eyelids fluttering. I didn’t plan to do that, but I guess my tongue has ideas of its own when it comes to this witch. I draw her close and put my mouth at her ear.
“What are you up to, little witch?”
Her hand snakes down my chest and pauses low, close to my cock which has joined in with my tongue on showing desire for her. I suck in a breath and feel my tail thrash.
“Just dance, Argos. Live a little. Have some fun.”
I’m dizzy. I’m lightheaded. I’m turned on. But I’m not an idiot. I can still keep my wits about me.
Maybe.
She spins in my arms and stomps her tall, pointed, black boots in time with the rest of the dancers. Her scent is like a spell in and of itself. I don’t bother trying to mimic her moves; I just shift one way and then the other in rhythm with her, letting her lead and inhaling her alluring scent. The music rises and falls, and soon, it’s cresting and the crowd is going wild. Shouts and cheers and dares fill the air.
“I’ll swim across the river!”
“I’ll do it twice!”
“I bet three pints you have to be fished out!”
“To long nights!”
“To Grumlin!”
The hearth’s light goes dark. Next, the flickering gas lamps positioned around the tavern black out. Only faint starlight drifts over the masked crowd. The dancing breaks into a mishmash of bumping bodies and laughter. The bells are so loud that it creates a buzz in my head that is somehow exciting.
It’s fantastic and so free—nothing I’ve ever experienced has been like this. Nobles aren’t permitted to act so uncivilized. I’m so glad I’m here and not stuck at a fussy court dinner as I have been so many nights of my life.
Tully is a vision more intoxicating than the drinks. She’s tossed her pointed hat to some friend in the stramash and her red hair is a gorgeous mess. She pulls me close again and I dip my chin down. Our lips are only a breath away from touching.
