Daughter of Shadows and Ash (Araceli's Blade Book 1) by Ember Johnson

Author:Ember Johnson [Johnson, Ember]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Cursebreaker Books
Published: 2025-01-16T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 23

Of course, it's just my luck that he suddenly appears beside me. I brought my ale to my lips, feigning taking a very long, slow sip. I tried not to think about how devastatingly handsome he was up close. The only man I've ever loved was gone and here I was ogling some stranger in a bar. I fought with myself not to continue staring and instead directed my eyes ahead, surveying the rowdy crowd.

His quick glance shifted to a couple dancing - a guard fresh off duty, based on his uniform, with a redheaded woman in blue. Her rouged cheeks and upswept hair complemented her knowing smile as they twirled, lost in each other. He was too drunk to notice anything but her, while she likely eyed his coin purse for later.

"If he continues to spin her around like that they won't be able to walk straight for days," he said to me, nodding towards the couple dancing.

I all but snorted into my cup, watching them spin endlessly on the floor until I met his gaze. It's unwavering this close, amusement sparkling in his eyes.

"It's refreshing to see love in an old tavern." But I knew better. With this crowd, it was just business - the guard would lose his coin, and if the woman played it right, she'd be counting it later. That's how things worked here.

He laughed and brought his full focus on me, "and here I thought you were too busy looking at me from across the room."

I rolled my eyes at him, "I believe you were the one staring at me. I only just noticed."

He shot me a look that was clear he wasn't ashamed to be caught, "The most beautiful woman in the kingdom just walked through this tavern. I was excited she was blessing me with her attention."

I looked up at him, surely he's joking, not even Maël was so bold. I schooled my face, feigning indifference to his pretty words. "I think you must have mistaken me for one of the other ladies in attendance tonight. Surely you'd prefer someone more prim and proper and not half drunk off one tankard." I nodded towards a stunning blonde with waist-length curls smiling brightly as if one of the men around her said something funny. Her breasts pushed beyond gravity with her tight corset while her waist looked about as thick as my leg. "Perhaps her, she certainly appears to be sun blessed."

He followed my gaze for a moment before returning back to me. "Didn't even notice her, and I'm not sure if sun blessed is the term I would use." He took a sip of his ale, "I'm more interested in the woman who looks ready to fight someone." The statement came out so serious that it caused us both to laugh. His laugh was infectious and suddenly my new favorite sound. I could feel a buzz throughout my body, likely the ale. In all my visits here, I'd only spoken to staff, with others keeping their distance.

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