Chosen to Fall by Emmie Hamilton

Author:Emmie Hamilton [Hamilton, Emmie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Innulum Press
Published: 2021-05-17T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 14

Faria

The blessed numbing sensation that followed the burn of alcohol was what Faria liked best when she came to lounges like these. She settled into soft pillows, prepared to watch the dancers in the center of the carpeted floor. Gauzy fabrics in reds, purples, and black hung from the ceiling and doorways, giving a sultry, boudoir feel. Each alcove was spelled to hide the viewer within, allowing for total anonymity. Only the walls held muted light. Inhibitions was the perfect place for indiscretion.

The jewel she gave the bouncer helped.

Soft strings rippled through the air, and though Faria couldn’t see the other patrons, she felt a collective alertness as dancers shimmied their way onto the floor. These humans were breathtaking. The men were shirtless. The gold dust that covered their skin shimmered from sporadic lighting along the floor. Their faces were shrouded in shadow, though with her low-light vision, Faria could see designs painted along their foreheads and brows. The women were dressed in gold bodices and long flowy skirts with slits up the sides. Gold chains wrapped around their waists tinkled as they swayed. Symbols drawn in fluorescent paints glowed along their bare skin.

The dancers twirled around each other as if they were one entity with one breath, its only goal in life to tell its story through movement. Faria was enraptured by the beauty of it, by the freedom of their movement. She felt a pang of jealousy. They seemed so alive, able to share such passion with those who hid in their own private alcoves. Faria wondered if everyone else hiding their faces needed a moment of freedom, too.

She swirled the milky substance in her cup and knocked back the rest of it. As if summoned, a server came with a replacement. Faria placed her hand on his wrist and smiled up at him. She couldn’t tell if he recognized her, though he wouldn’t have said if he did. All workers signed a magical binding contract that ensured the utmost secrecy.

“Will you keep me company?” she asked, patting the soft cushions beside her. “For a little while?”

His warm eyes turned molten and his returning smile made her ache. Yes, she would enjoy his company. “I will return shortly.” His voice drawled like melted honey. She wanted to get lost in its sticky sweetness.

Faria took a sip of her new drink and leaned her head back, closing her eyes. She allowed the music to thrum beneath her skin, allowed the drink to take its course and light a fire within. This wasn’t the first time she had snuck out of Mentage, nor was it the first time she sought the company of another, but this time held more importance for her. The suitor her mother intended for her was expected the following day, so her freedom was at an end. She wanted one last night to do what she desired, rather than what was expected of her. That, and she really needed to get the feel of Hunter off her skin.

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