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Chapter 15

It was a miracle Astrid had agreed to join me for a dance. For a moment, I thought she'd refuse. She'd barely been able to look at me, staring into her empty tankard and likely cursing my name. Before I'd shown up, she'd had a quiet, cozy life. But now, conspiracies were afoot, and dragons were stealing fake gems. It was all too much of a coincidence. At first I'd thought it was connected to her, but I'd been wrong. All this had something to do with me, and she'd likely guessed that by now.

The talon was a warning, specifically targeted at me.

Someone must have found out my secret. The brother I wanted to save wasn't a shadow demon.

He wasn't even my brother. He was a dragon.

I asked the bard for Lilia's song, and the winged pixie erupted into a very vigorous, upbeat tune about mountain trolls. With Astrid's hand in mine, I spun us across the floor. Other than Jostein and his partner, a dwarven woman short in stature and curvy in hips, we were the only two making use of the dance area.

Astrid looked up at me through thick, dark lashes that I swore looked as soft as feathers. "I should have known you like to dance when no one else is. You seem to like showing off your skills."

"Ah but there you've got me wrong." I smiled. "When I dance, no one else exists except my partner."

Astrid glanced away, and her face went pink. No other barbs emerged from her luscious lips, though I found myself holding my breath in anticipation, in case she'd needed a moment to think of something good. But then I remembered why I'd brought her out here. And it wasn't to dance. Or get distracted by her lips, for fate's sake.

I inclined my head toward Jostein as we spun past him and his wife. "They were having an intense conversation earlier, then they took to the dance floor."

She jerked her head toward them, and a look of sudden realization crossed her face. "You want to overhear what they're saying? That's why you wanted to dance."

I had the sudden urge to tell her she was wrong, but that would be a lie. One I couldn't afford to tell based on the disappointment that flickered through her eyes. There was something between us. It was impossible to ignore now. But I couldn't explore what could be—it would always have to be what could have been.

I had to find the Everstone, take it for myself, and return to Azraak alone. There was no other option. She and I could never be more than…whatever this was.

Still, I found myself winking in her direction. It was like my damn body had a mind of its own. "I'd also never say no to a dance with a beautiful woman, though it's been a long time. Back in Azraak, celebrations like this are few and far between, but when we celebrate, we really celebrate. You should come to our winter feast one year. It's one not to be missed."

I expected a laugh—or a retort, at the very least—but she pulled out of my arms and backed away. "I think I'm going to call it a night."

"What? Why?" I reached for her, but she shook her head and walked off, vanishing out the tavern's front door.

Lilia suddenly appeared before me, her silver brow furrowed. "What did you just say to her?"

I held up my hands. "All I did was tell her she's beautiful."

"And that's it?" Frowning, she glanced over her shoulder at where her friend had disappeared.

"That and I suggested she come to Azraak's winter feast one year. Nothing untoward, I swear to you."

Lilia sighed. "Ah, that was it, then."

I frowned. "The feast part?"

"Yes, you silly demon." She turned back toward me, shaking her head. "Haven't you figured it out by now? Astrid's curse? She is bound to this mountain, which means she's trapped here for her entire life. Astrid can never visit Azraak. There are no winter feasts in her future."

Realization crashed down on me, and suddenly, everything Astrid had said and done tore through my mind. She had been so understanding about my ‘brother's' affliction. She'd looked so wistful every time she'd mentioned the world outside. Just like Tahir, she was a prisoner in her own home. And just like Tahir, she dreamt of spreading her wings to fly.

"Ah," I said.

Lilia nodded. "Ah."

"The Everstone can break her curse."

"That's right. And now it's missing. But what's more important is you." She gave me a pointed look. "Whether she realizes it or not, she likes you. I can tell by the way she looks at you. And you seem to like her, too. What you going to do about it, Tormund? You could make her a very happy woman if you chose to do so."

My heart pounded my ribs; my mouth went dry. "You're asking me to let her have the Everstone. That's not fair."

"It's not fair that the one person she might actually like is the one person who would keep the gem from her if he got his hands on it."

I blew out a breath. "I don't want it for myself. It's for my brother. Besides…" Grinding my teeth, I glanced away. "Astrid and I can't have a connection. Once this is all over, I'm returning home to Azraak. Alone."

"You'll change your mind. You know how I know that?" Lilia asked, sliding sideways to catch my eyes again. "Because Astrid is a catch. She's an incredible woman, good at what she does and endlessly kindhearted. And there's not a doubt in my mind you've seen all that, too. So go find that Everstone and give it to her."

Lilia walked away, right into the arms of the crimson-haired elf she'd partnered with. He drew her in close, nuzzling her ear. Lilia returned the affection by tilting back her head and gifting him a beaming smile as bright as the stars. Happiness practically rolled off their bodies in waves. An unexpected twinge of longing went through me. I'd never had something like that.

And I never would.

Until now, I'd never really wanted it.

I blinked and looked away. Even if I let down my walls, none of it would matter. Tahir needed the Everstone, and I couldn't fail him. Astrid would never forgive me when I took it from her, cursing her to remain inside these mountainous walls for the rest of her life. Because that was what I'd be doing. Letting the curse remain hers forever.

She would hate me as long as she lived. And I wouldn't blame her for it.

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