Fires of Ruin (War and Deceit #3) - Erin O'Kane Page 0,29

to dance without looking where he’s going, even in a dance as simple as this. Watching him in return, I can’t help but wonder what he’s doing here. I know he told me before, but there’s something more, something he isn’t telling me.

“Why? Why are you here?” I hate the pleading note in my voice, but there’s nothing I can do about it now. He must know how much I need to hear his answer.

“I told you before, I’m here for you.” He’s earnest, and I almost believe him, except it’s just so…so unbelievable. The fact that he believes we’re bonded, that we’re fated to be together… How can that be so? I need some space, and if he’s not going to give me answers, then there’s no point in me being here anymore. Letting go of his shoulders, I try to take a step back, to make him stop, but he simply places my arms back around his neck without breaking his stride.

“Why me?” I demand, anger starting to take over at the lack of answers as we fall back into step. “Why is a slave girl bonded to three different people?” His eyes tighten at my mention of three bonds, but he doesn’t comment, so I’m assuming he worked out my tie with Vaeril. Whether or not he knows about my third potential bond, I don’t know. “It makes no sense. I’m a nobody!” I hiss, my fury breaking through my carefully placed barriers. What I said is true, none of this makes any sense. Why did the Great Mother choose to bless me? Why save me when there were so many other people—better people? My insecurities flood my system, and I feel like everyone in the room is watching me, my every secret and sin laid bare for all to see. “Pretending to be a lady doesn’t make me one.” My voice is tight as I speak, my eyes stinging as reality hits me. “I’m still the dirty slave without a family or a home, I’m just dressed better.” I will not cry here, I won’t let them see my weakness. So instead, I take that anger and I embrace it, its icy rage hardening my heart.

Tor is watching me with a frown. “Are you finished?” he prods, his tone reproachful as if he thinks I’m being unreasonable. “That’s not true, and you know it.” His voice is hard, and I can tell what I said has made him angry, but I can’t quite figure out why. Watching me carefully, he sighs, his expression softening as he continues to dance with me, although it’s more of a sway than a dance. “You are so much more than that.” He’s almost whispering now, his words soft. “Your life has been hard, but you’re finally becoming who you were born to be.”

Part of me agrees, sparking excitement at finally being able to grow and have a life where I get to decide my path, but it’s overtaken by doubt. “I have no idea who that is.” My voice sounds lost as I shrug my shoulders, spinning under the high arches of the ballroom in the arms of someone who promises me more than I have ever dreamed of.

Tor goes silent for a minute, nodding his head with a thoughtful expression. With a grace I didn’t know he possessed, he leads me into a spin, the cloak-like part of my dress swirling around me. It would be easy to pretend that I’m in a fairy tale like the ones I would overhear when I worked at the castle. To pretend I’m an elf, that I’m accepted here, that handsome princes are vying for my affections, and that all I have to worry about is what pretty dress I’m going to wear to the next ball. So, for those few seconds, when the music swells and it’s just Tor and me, I fantasise.

Of course, reality soon hits home when the music stops and the partners on the dance floor switch. I go to leave, to walk back to my companions, but Tor’s grip on my hand doesn’t loosen. Glancing at him questioningly, he just smiles. “Dance with me again?”

I know that my companions, mainly Vaeril, will not be pleased if I dance again, and I know for sure that the queen won’t be happy, but I realise that in that moment, I don’t care. I’m so pleased to see Tor that I’m going to make the most of the time we