I do not see Lore until after dinner. He discovers me in the lounge alone because Cyan got tired of me being "moody." So he said. Frankly, I believe he wanted to spend more alone time with Draven. They scurried off to who knows where. I didn't see them at dinner either. I'd say they were having an evening under the sheets too, if I wasn't very aware of Cyan's aversion to touch.

Now, here I sit, watching Lore strut over to me like he wasn't having handcuffed sex with Miss Harmony. Fuck, now I'm thinking about Lore having sex. Get that out of your head, Seren!

I heave a long breath, attempting to compose myself before he arrives. The moment he's near, I'm affronted by the aroma of shampoo. Though his clothes and hair remain well kept, there is no denying what happened. My toes curl so tightly that they ache. Even my jaw starts to hurt from the constant grinding of my teeth. Foolish.

"Seren, why are you alone?" Lore asks, sitting on the couches practically made of clouds. Soft music plays from the small orchestra along the edge of the dance floor. A few have started to dance, enjoying the sun setting as the stars sparkle over the small glass ceiling overhead.

"I imagine the answer would be because I want to be alone," I snap, earning a puzzled expression from Lore.

"Are you implying that you want me to leave?"

"I would also imagine that, yes, I am."

Lore chuckles. He rests his elbow on the back of the couch, allowing his knuckles to press against his temple, keeping his head up. His eyes meet mine.

"You didn't enjoy the airship's amenities today?" he asks.

"I don't know what would give you that impression," I bite, figuratively and literally, chewing on a treat that I snatched from a tray carried by one of the few butlers walking around the lounge. "I quite enjoyed my day. How was yours?"

I shouldn't have asked that. I'm acting immature, and for no good reason. Why am I rattled? I shouldn't be. Who cares what he did!

Lore takes wine offered to him by one of the butlers. Smirking over the rim, he replies, "My day was rather invigorating."

But I can't stop myself from spitting, "I bet. Did you stop by our room to bathe or did you use hers after the two of you were done?"

"Dare I say it, but that tone makes me believe that you're feeling jealous." Lore leans in to brush the tips of his fingers against my cheek. I hate the thought that he had done the same to someone else. I swat his hand away. Lore chuckles. "If you wish to spend time with me so badly, all you have to do is ask."

"Jealous?" I scoff, wishing the heat in my cheeks would subside. "What would I be jealous of? I'm merely confused that a mortal would be so open and eager to perform such activities with you."

"Such activities," he repeats, swirling the wine in his glass. "Are paladins not allowed to talk about sex or is that specific to you?"

My throat becomes abnormally parched, more barren than a desert. Here I go again thinking about Lore having sex. I try to get the imagery out of my head.

"Or, perhaps, you don't want to talk about sex when I'm involved?" Lore adds, leaning in so every word grows nearer until I feel his lips brush my ear. "Because that may invoke thoughts of sex with me, which you, a paladin of the Holy Church, would never imagine. Right, my sweet Seren?"

Sweat forms on my palms. An abyss opens within me, seeking for an answer it has been desperate to find. I feel the desperation and confusion skittering like spiders through my veins, stretching further and further until they reach my mind. There, they burrow themselves into my consciousness, picking and prodding at every sinful thought. They flash before my eyes as faded pictures; click, click, click. Then I blink and they're gone, but Lore remains. Smirking. Close. The scent of shampoo and his fingers dancing over my cheek.

"Right, I would never," I speak calmly, somehow collected in my moment of insanity. Lore watches intently, gaze drifting over my form in a slow, fluid movement. Then he catches my stare, almost daring me to say more, to trip up and admit a terrifying truth.

Then he stands, outstretching his hand to me. "Dance with me," he orders more than says, keeping close so that, should I stand, we'll be chest to chest.

"Find Miss Harmony to dance with," I reply, even if the mere thought of it makes me want to kick about like an angry toddler.

"I'd rather dance with you."

"And yet you left me earlier to be with her."

"I've made a horrible decision. Won't you forgive me, darling?" He teases, flicking his fingers in a come hither manner. "Come on."

"Because you'd love for someone I know to see a paladin dancing with a dhampir. How foolish do you think I am?"

"Have you seen another member of the church here?" Lore argues, looking left to right. "I've yet to see any and you are not in your church garbs. No one will recognize you. Dance with me, Seren."

The same answer rests on the tip of my tongue, but then I spot a familiar yellow dress. Miss Harmony steps into my peripheral. She turns her head towards us. I told Lore to dance with her instead, but--

"Fine," I grunt, surging to my feet.

Lore takes my hand, holding tight to drag me towards the dance floor. "Don't be shy," he says, reaching for my waist. "I'll teach you a few steps first."

"Don't be cocky," I reply, smacking his hand away to grab his waist instead. Lore's puzzled gaze meets mine when he rests a hand on my shoulder. I grasp his other hand and lead us into perfect synchronization with those around us. Lore offers an impressed stare that I roll my eyes at.

"The church has a few upscale functions, you should know that. As a paladin, I am expected to attend and partake. I learned dancing etiquette when I was quite young so I'm rather good at it," I explain, smirking at Lore's continued surprise.

"So you've had a few dance partners?" He asks. I try not to shiver when his hand slithers to my neck. His thumb rests over my pulse. He has to notice.

"Obviously."

"Ah." Lore steps closer. The space between us becomes practically nonexistent, leading me to gaze up into blue eyes that even the ocean's beauty couldn't rival. "Is this your attempt at payback? Making me jealous now at the thought of you being like this with another."

"Like this?" I echo, wishing I didn't sound so breathless, wishing I could look away.

"Being close, enjoying ourselves, regardless of whether we're meant to," he replies. I feel his fingers slip between mine, locking them. "Are you enjoying yourself?" he whispers, leaning in so the strands of his hair tickle my cheeks. "Be honest."

Honest?

Honestly, I'm slipping far away from what I've always known and the unknown terrifies me, but...

"I'm enjoying myself," I whisper, rewarded by a smile Lore hasn't shown before. A gentle smile, neither teasing or provocative, simple and sweet and breathtaking. He'd rule the world over a thousand times if he showed that more often.

His forehead rests against mine. I breathe in his scent. The hand on my neck slips into my hair. Then I panic.

Lore grunts when I shove him aside. I hurry away from the dance floor, heart racing so vigorously I feel the beat from head to toe. I throw open our bedroom door, stampeding inside to hide myself in the bathroom incase Lore followed. Not that I can escape him or this overwhelming sensation dragging me into that abyss, the one still in my gut. I fear it'll rip me apart, tear me limb from limb until something or someone unrecognizable remains.

- - ┈┈∘┈˃̶༒˂̶┈∘┈┈ - -

Just a note because it happened on Tapas and I can't believe I have to say this; if any of y'all try to make it seem like what Lore did is disgusting, I will mute you. They're consenting adults. He's allowed to have sex and he shouldn't have to hide all day like he did something wrong because he didn't. Get over it.

Anyway, I've got wonderful news ^_^

The second and final volume of the audiobook for Reborn as the Villain's Lackey (available as a novel on Tapas) is now available wherever audiobooks are sold! This is a super big achievement that feels surreal because I never imagined I'd have audiobooks. If you or someone you know prefers audiobooks, give this a try. We have a wonderful narrator who sounds absolutely incredible and it's a fun story that I think many of you will love! Thanks for all the support and, if you're interested, I've left an external link to the Recorded Books site. The link is also on my dashboard. It will have some options on where to purchase the audiobook so choose whichever works for you! If you're having trouble finding volume one or two, let me know and I'll try to help.