A Clash Of Light And Thunder (War Of The Forgotten Lovers Book 1)

A Magical Celebration Part 3

'Fuck it,' Aria thought. 'What was one night of mischief?'

It was harmless to play along with Aaron's game. At best, she would find out if Elvin felt anything for her under that stoic mask he so masterfully wore. Of course, there was the worst of the outcomes... but, there was no need to dwell on that. Nothing a barrel of wine and mountain of chocolate could not soothe away. She hoped.

"What do you have in mind?" Aria asked.

Aaron's golden eyes shined with devilish intent. He twirled her around. As her feet caught on her dress, she crashed face-first into his barely covered chest.

Aria rolled her eyes at the attire, or lack thereof. A gold powdered red silk draped over his shoulders like a cloak and dark coconut-colored pants. It all fitted quite the chauvinistic fae quite well.

His fingers slid under her hand and gently brought the back of her palm to his thin lips. "You, my dear, just have to enjoy yourself. With my company, that shouldn't be too hard." He winked.

Aria rolled her eyes. "However will I manage to resist your charms?" She poked his overly inflated ego. Even though her tone overflowed with crystal clear sarcasm, the red-haired spy smirked proudly as if saying, 'yes, how will you.'

Aria shook her head in disapproval, but that just made his chin tilt higher towards the sky. As hard as she tried to choke it down, laughter escaped her lips. Soon, Aaron's deep voice rumbled as he joined in.

"Good," Aaron said in between jagged laughs. His golden eyes shifted ever so slightly towards Elvin's direction. He was pleased with the sight that met his subtle gaze.

Aria followed the trail.

Elvin's silver head tilted away from the dance floor— away from her. The pure disturbing taste of bitterness spread over her tongue. 'Just seconds ago, he had his face buried in my neck, lapping at it like a dog. And now... now he turns his head away. Like I am nothing more than a moth fluttering about!' The bitter words were a facade, she knew. But it helped with ignoring the hurt that lingered in her heart at his indifference. "He doesn't seem to be interested."

"Oh, he is watching. Trust me." He lowered his mouth to my earlobe, nudging my head to tilt in Elvin's direction. "Watch him closely," he whispered.

His lips lowered and pressed lightly against the nape of her neck. And even though she was not swayed by it, there was no stopping the shiver that instinctually ran down her spine. But through it all, Aria kept her gaze on the stoic prince. His piercing grey-blue eyes starred boringly into the distance like his mind was somewhere else. But, the flat line that traced Elvin's mouth turned into a downright scowl.

"Look at him pout." Aaron was giddy with excitement at seeing his friend writhing in displeasure.

Aria felt childish, playing these games. But her pride had been wounded when he rejected her, not for the first time, but for the secondth. She couldn't deny it felt good to know. To know that he cared and that it wasn't all in her mind. But it was all just subtleties. Small actions that so easily could be misinterpreted. How was she to know her mind just wasn't seeing what she wanted?

"Is that the best you can do?" Perhaps, the alcohol in her veins was taking hold. She may even regret it tomorrow. But, blessed gods did she feel bold.

Aaron's eyes sparkled with roguish delight. "You could help more too, you know." He insinuated.

"How so?"

He clicked his tongue towards the nearby couple. "Dance like her."

Dancing was one way to describe what was happening. It reminded her of how she used to smash her porcelain dolls together. An assortment of limbs smashing and rubbing together. To be fair, it was far more elegant than that. The way she swayed, it looked, it looked like an artform. "I don't think I can do that."