Vox bent his elbow the same way Glacier had. “You belong here, Claire. They all know that, even if they were reluctant to admit it at the beginning.”
Claire relaxed and took Vox’s arm, then glanced at me to see how to manage. She finally decided on resting her palm on my wrist. My bicep was far too massive for her to loop her arm around.
“So, who gets the first dance?” Claire asked, seeming to enjoy the dilemma. “You can’t possibly ask me to choose.”
Vox loosened his collar, then snagged a fluted glass from one of the passing server’s trays. “Perhaps a drink first.” He handed her the bubbly drink, then grabbed one for me and himself.
I raised my glass. “A toast to the best Solstice Ball ever.”
Claire grinned. “Agreed.”
Vox saluted with his drink, then tipped it back, downing the whole thing. I had hoped the Air Fae would have calmed his nerves, but now that we were here, it seemed he was getting all worked up again.
Claire sipped from the rim, and the butterflies in her hair fluttered. “Mmm. That’s delicious.”
“Careful,” I warned. “Solstice brew is strong.”
She gave me a sly smile. “I doubt it can hold a candle to spritemead. If I can handle that stuff, then I can handle some Academy booze.”
I chuckled. “Very well. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” I clinked my glass against hers. “Maybe it’ll help you pick who to dance with first.”
Claire relaxed, her expression one of joy and happiness, a sight that warmed my heart. The other fae were accepting her, the ballroom was breathtakingly beautiful, and her contentment brightened the air.
A perfect evening.
Eventually, she nodded. “Very well. I’ve made up my mind. I’ll dance with Sol first.” She placed her empty glass on a passing tray. “I mean, the whole ball was your idea to begin with. It only seems fair.”
If Vox was dejected, he didn’t show it. In fact, he looked relieved as he handed her over to me. “I’ll be waiting for my turn,” he promised, giving her a brief kiss before backing away.
I frowned at him, but Claire tugged me toward the dance floor before I could protest. Something was definitely up with Vox. He seemed trapped in an eternal struggle between his clear intoxication with Claire and his reservations of how she made him feel.
Claire stood on her tiptoes to reach me as she wrapped her arms around my neck. She seemed to sway a bit, the drink having loosened her muscles and leaving her in a pliable state.
I chuckled. “I warned you that it was strong. Are you going to dance or just let me carry you around on the dance floor?”
She tilted her head back and grinned at me. “Where I come from, that qualifies as dancing.” She moved with me, humming to the music. “Oh, Sol, this is just perfect. I feel like I’m in a dream.” She glanced over her shoulder, noting Vox, who watched us with that soft ring of silver to his eyes. He smiled and waved. “Vox isn’t mad at me, though, right?”
I smoothed her hair from her face. “No, of course not. He’s just nervous.” At least, I hoped that was the cause of his odd behavior. Maybe his control over his power had slipped more than I realized.
Claire murmured something, her eyes glazed with pleasure, and giggled when the song transformed into a more rambunctious beat. It didn’t fit the mood, and Vox looked like he dreaded having his turn. Considering the new pace, I couldn’t blame him.
“I think I’ll go to the bathroom. Give Vox some time to prepare.” She hiccupped and covered her mouth, smothering a giggle. “Okay. Perhaps that Solstice brew was a bit much.”
I pointed to the end corridor. “The facilities are that way. Do you want me to take you?”
She waved me away. “I’m fine. I’ll be right back.”
I waited until she had disappeared from sight before approaching Vox. “The fuck is wrong with you?”
The Air Fae frowned. Although, he didn’t seem surprised at my anger. “You don’t understand what it’s like, Sol.” He gl
anced up at the trees and vines lining the walls. A cool breeze had kicked up during the last song, and even I had noticed how leaves floated through the air, the decorations slowly deteriorating under the damaging winds. “I can’t even control myself here, during what is supposed to be a joyous occasion.” He scoffed and ripped the band from his warrior’s tail, sending his hair flying around his face. “I’m losing control, Sol. I’m not used to this.”
Well, at least he admitted it out loud.
Still, I couldn’t help feeling a bit irritated by his statement. “Really? I wouldn’t know anything about losing control?” I narrowed my gaze. “How about you try that again?”
He rolled his eyes. “You know what I mean. You’ve had all your life to learn how to deal with it, but it’s new for me, and it shouldn’t exist at all. I should be in control.”