Something was definitely wrong with me. Had to be.
I was flirting with the enemy, squeezing my thighs together under the table to keep from walking over and planting myself in Darrius’ lap. His copper-colored hair and beard caught each flame in the fireplace.
My entire body felt hot that had nothing to do with the fire and everything to do with the Fae warrior across from me.
And Malcolm. Holy fuck, I’d been near to bursting with need while both of them were at the table with me. It took every bit of discipline and strength I had not to rip off my dress, hoist myself up on the table and beg them to take me.
This was ridiculous. I shouldn’t be attracted to either of them, much less both. They had to be part-incubus or something.
Or had delved into my secret fantasies since Darrius looked like a Scottish warrior and Malcolm like a Viking come to life from all those historical romances I read.
“Funny,” Darrius said, “I can think o’ a lot more interestin’ ways ta collect me winnings than a mere warnin’.”
I resisted the urge to fan myself and instead, leaned back, grabbing my wine instead. Thunder rumbled followed by a flash of lightning.
“Do we have a deal?” His accent made my underwear damp.
“Ay—yes.” All kinds of delicious images of us naked, sweaty, and giving each other pleasure paraded in my mind.
With my cheeks burning the entire time, we finished our food. I halfway prayed that the storm would hold for hours. If I won, I got a prize. But part of me wanted to know what Darrius would do if he won. Would he ask for a kiss or steal one? My breaths quickened in response to the thought of my fantasy becoming reality.
“Ready, lass?” He rose and sauntered off, leaving me to chase after him.
I threw my napkin on the table and pushed away from the table. This damn castle was a freaking maze. If I lost sight of him, I’d never find my way again.
Or at least not before the storm passed over.
I told myself it was because I wanted to take Darrius’ sword. Beat him at his own game and knock down his arrogant walls.
In the hallway, his shadow rounded the corner, and I quickened my pace.
“Thought ye ‘ad decided ta forfeit,” he said over his shoulder.
“No way.” I ground my back teeth when one side of my dress slipped down, exposing my bra. Did knots not stay in the Fae world? Like I knew tangles had been blamed on fairies a long time ago and maybe the opposite was true here. I retied the damn thing.
“As soon as we're done knife throwing, I am going back to my room and changing into something better suited for hunting.”
My room? Huh. Nope, not happening now or ever. I wasn’t staying here no matter how awesome this castle was or gorgeous the occupants.
Darrius muttered something under his breath, but I didn’t catch the words. Probably for the best anyway. He didn’t sound pleased at all.
We came to a long room with bows, arrows, and round, painted targets on the far wall.
“My knives?” I held out my hand.
“In a minute, woman.” He pushed aside the bows and arrows, then withdrew several wooden knives. “‘ere.”
I gaped at them. “What are these?”
“What do they look like?” He huffed. “They’re practice knives.”
“Yeah, but I need metal weapons, and preferably my own.”
“If ye can ‘it the target with one o’ those, then ye’ll be all set when ye ‘ave the other ones.”
Anger flared in my chest. “You did this on purpose. There’s no way I can sink a target from this distance with this puny, light-weight thing.”
“Each o’ the knives ‘as a rod of metal inside ta ‘elp it pierce the target. Allow me ta go first?” He raised a copper eyebrow. Without waiting for my answer, he spun one of the wooden blades in his hand. It whizzed through the air and hit the target in the yellow center. “There, ye see? Easily done.”
I glared at him but didn’t throw my weapon. All of me wanted to shove the wooden knife up his nose and see if it left splinters.
“Do ye admit defeat without even tryin’?” He clicked his tongue. “I’d ‘ave thought more of ye, lass.”
Flashing him my teeth, I marched up to the black mark across the stone floor. As a Fae, he was stronger than a human and me, ultimately. So, of course, the fake knife went into the target. I needed to throw the weapon as hard as I could.
I hauled back on one, then chucked it at the target. It bounced off the bright blue rings and clattered to the floor.
“Try again.” He stepped aside; the corners of his mouth twitched.
Oh, I so wanted to knock that smile off his face. He’d known I wouldn’t be able to do as well as him. I widened my stance and drew my arm back more. This time, the knife completely missed the target altogether and fell short.
“My turn,” he almost sing-songed.
His blade hit the next target, dead in the center.
“How many times have you practiced with these?” I tested out the weight of my next weapon. If I had my knives, I’d know them by their feel alone and how hard to throw.
“A week or so.”
“Liar.” I narrowed my eyes at him, pointing my knife at him.
He chuckled. “All right. A bit more than that.”
“Fine.” I shrugged. “Don’t tell me, but I will figure this out.”
He bowed his head slightly, making the light catch his emerald eyes and my breath hitched.
God, it was so unfair to make monsters so fucking handsome and for me to be having such a good time with one despite the fact I was losing.
This time, I’d make the target and make him eat his words. I held my arm high and back, then let the blade fly at the last second. It sailed through the air without too much spin, the tip sank into the red of the target a second before falling to the floor.
“That counts.” I jumped up and down. “A point for me, it went in. Did you see it?”
When he didn’t answer me, I turned, triumph zipping through my veins. He stared at me. Unmoving, unblinking. His breathing was rapid.
“Are you okay?” I asked, biting my lip.
Then his green eyes moved down my body and back up. The air in the room had suddenly turned hot and sensual.
I glanced at myself. Not only had my silly gown’s makeshift straps fallen, but my boob had somehow managed to poke out of the top of my bra.
Must have loosened with that last throw. I pushed my boob back in.
Seeing his hooded gaze as he watched me had my arousal spiking.