King's Throne(85)

They knew better now. Cade had done a good job of impressing the need for discretion upon all the members of the Clan after Horace had been exposed. She could breathe a little easier—maybe. For a little while, at least.
“May I have this dance?” a male voice asked at her elbow.
Ria hadn’t sensed anyone approach. She jumped a little and turned to face the man who’d managed to get the drop on her. She was ready to give him a polite refusal, but her words caught in her throat when she looked up into the bluest eyes she had ever seen.
The man stood taller than her. He was taller than most of her Guards. Probably a half inch taller than Cade, which was saying something. And he was all lean muscle and hard sinew. She could see that just from the way his tailored suit fit his lithe body. He moved like a man who knew how to use that body—as a weapon, or a tool. She’d bet he was as lethal as he was handsome.
He had a finely chiseled face that reminded her of…someone. She wasn’t quite sure who, but he looked vaguely familiar. And those eyes…they were almost spooky in their clarity, as if they could see through to her very soul.
She realized belatedly that he held out one hand to her and her sluggish mind knew she had to take it. She wanted to feel his skin against hers, even in such an innocent way.
She put her hand in his and time stood still. For just a moment, they were the only two people in the room. In the world. In the universe. She saw infinity in his eyes and her life in a flash of sacred time.
And then the world started up again. The earth commenced spinning and time flowed once more.
“What was that?” she muttered, unable to censor her thoughts, so jumbled they were.
“Destiny,” he answered in a very serious tone.
She looked up into his eyes and was caught once more. And then she remembered to breathe as he ushered her gently onto the dance floor.
They were playing a slow waltz that suited her just fine. She wanted to be held close in this stranger’s arms. She wanted to talk to him and dance with him face to face, body to body.
“I’m Ria,” she offered, hoping he didn’t realize her position. She wanted this marvelous man to want to dance with her just for her—not for her title.
“I know,” he replied, crushing her hopes that he had sought her out just for herself alone. “I’m Ellie’s brother, Jacob. I’ve been seeing you in my dreams for months now, lovely Ria. Now that the time is right, I came here specifically to meet you.”
“Why?” she wanted to know.
He smiled, and she was enchanted, falling even more deeply under his spell.
“It’s simple, really. I’m here to help you save the world.”
 
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