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.
Ten minutes later, we were all back at the same place without Dyter. I was officially done. He’s not here, I told Tyrrik. Which means it’s possible to get out. If I have to fly out the window—
“But what are you all doing?” Queen Mily asked, appearing out of freakin’ nowhere. “Are you not enjoying the party?”
She was doing my head in, creative use of emeralds aside. Did anyone really want to see that much of her anatomy? Neimoj’s eyes were huge, so I guess someone was enjoying her peep-show.
Should we ask her about Dyter?
Do you think she would even know if something else was going on?
Maybe. Probably not. But still . . . Will you breathe on her and ask?
Tyrrik leaned over me and blew a breath at the queen.
Her eyes widened, and she smiled dreamily at Tyrrik as she swayed forward.
“Do you know where Dyter is?” he asked, straightening. He pulled me in front of him so I would buffer the queen.
She shook her head. “No, but he’s going to use my boats in the morning. You could meet him at the docks then.” She shimmied, shaking, well everything, and said, “Will you lie with me and let me bear your children?”
Someone coughed, and I elbowed Tyrrik for using so much of his Drae breath on her. I actually didn’t like that he was using it at all.
I turned to the Azuli queen and, channeling my best inner Dyter, said, “Nope. We’re weary after our travels, Queen Mily. Have one of your servants show us to a chamber to rest, please?”
“No, you must—”
I growled, my Drae canine’s lengthening as I narrowed my eyes. Now I was done. Tired, worried, and completely over watching the bizarre and sick sex show. Not to mention her hitting on my mate. Dyter could be pissed at me later. “I must what?”
Her eyes widened, and her smile faded. Her shoulders sagged, and even her breasts seemed to droop a little. She dipped her head with the first serious expression I’d seen on her face yet. She looked at Tyrrik longingly. “I apologize. I wasn’t thinking. Of course, you must be weary after your journey. Tonte!” She waved to a man who approached her and bowed. “Take our guests to our finest chambers. Get them anything they need. I’m holding you personally responsible to ensure they’re comfortable.”
The servant bowed, and I returned the queen’s nod, still aware she’d be sending boats to collect enough men to double our current army. “Thank you, Queen Mily. I hope you have a happy birthday.”
Several members of our group snickered, but Tyrrik was smarter and swept my hand up in his as we followed the servant out of the sex-fest. As we moved farther away from the party chamber, fewer people graced the halls, and fewer giggles reached my ears from the dark nooks.
We turned down an empty corridor, and Tyrrik and I shared a glance.
He looks smarter than his queen.
Yep, I replied. Definitely.
Tyrrik blurred forward to the servant. The man reared back into the wall, but Tyrrik followed him, blowing a long breath into the servant’s face and then held him against the smoky glass. When the man’s eyes glazed over, Tyrrik asked, “A man who was with our party left the hall. Where is he?”
The servant smiled and swayed toward Tyrrik, puckering for a kiss.
The assassin twins shared a grin, but I couldn’t reply in kind, having been on the receiving end of Tyrrik’s breath before. I didn’t relish taking away this servant’s will, but Dyter trumped anyone and anything.
Did that make us like my father? He’d taken my will away only weeks before, and I shuddered, feeling nauseated with the comparison. Where was the line? How far was too far? When did the ends no longer justify the means? My father clearly had reasons to take over my mind. Why did I feel our reasons were okay but his weren’t? Guilt twisted my insides, and I grimaced.