Let Me Wrap My Teeth Around The World

let me wrap my teeth around the world

barely breathing

Wyllstarion Excerpt

Consolidated one of the scenes of my fic for the Wyllstarion server 100-word challenge!

The world is too unforgiving for fairytale princes. Astarion had resigned himself to believing that Wyll's affections would inevitably wane. In this story, the dashing rogue was just a footstool en route to the one true love. Astarion deserved good things after everything he endured, but this fantasy was never meant to be his.

"…'starion?" Wyll mumbled.

Astarion lingered for a moment before pressing a kiss to Wyll's cheek.

"Hello, darling. I…should go. Sunrise is imminent, and I prefer my complexion unsinged."

"Shall I expect you tonight?" Wyll asked.

Astarion gave the softest smile he could muster.

"Yes," he lied.

Sweetheart, what have you done to us? x

Wyllstarion route with ascended astarion - and Wyll having to make an impossible decision.

Fic authors self rec! When you get this, reply with your favorite five fics that you've written, then pass on to at least five other writers. Spread the self-love ❤️

Ily bunny ❤

I unfortunately don't have many written, but I will boost my Fairy Tail ones!

Spectrum (Nalu Fic)

Baby Please Come Home (Nalu Fic - Winter Holiday Time!)

Thank you for asking! 😭

Deadly Ambition (a Dark Urge x Enver Gortash AU)

U.S. Congressman Enver Gortash has used every tool in his arsenal to climb the political ladder. When he is offered the chance to join Governor Richard Bhaal's presidential campaign as his running-mate, he jumps at the opportunity. But all of Enver's research and machinations failed to prepare him to meet the true mastermind behind the Bhaal campaign: Bhaal's daughter, Elegy.

Read in full on AO3

Rating: Explicit (Eventual Explicit Sexual Content/Smut and Graphic Violence) Relationship Tags: Enver Gortash/The Dark Urge; Enver Gortash/Original Female Character Content Tags: Eventual Smut; Graphic Depictions of Violence; Spoilers for Quest: The Dark Urge; Spoilers for Act 3; Modern Alternate Universe; Romance; Sexual Tension and Flirting; Political Campaigns; Blackmail and Subterfuge; Implied/Referenced Rape/Sexual Assault and Child Abuse (Canon-Typical); Unhealthy Relationships; Villain-focused Story

Chapter 3: On the Road (AO3 Link; Word count: 5.1k)

She pulled out the third chair at the table and sat in one fluid motion. “Gentlemen. I wanted us to have some time to talk because, while we all may have different reasons for it, we share a common goal. And I believe we share the same deep commitment to achieving that goal.”

“Your father in the White House,” Ketheric said, his voice a low rasp. It was the first time he had spoken since their introduction.

“Precisely. And while I'm certainly doing my best to run a brilliant campaign, there's more we can do. And the Absolute will help us.”

When Enver walked into campaign headquarters after a week on the road, he expected a warm welcome: a smile, a comment about how well his speeches went, congratulations for the favorable press coverage he had secured. Instead, Elegy Bhaal barely glanced at him and then turned back to the iPad on the desk in front of her.

“How was Texas?” she said without looking up.

“Hot. Unbearably so.”

“That does happen.” She frowned at something on the screen and traced something with her finger before swiping decisively.

When she still didn't look up, Enver settled into one of the armchairs, stretching his legs out in front of him.

Her finger swiped again, and she nodded to herself. “Are you ready for the Midwest trip?” she said to him.

“My tour of the flyover states? Of course,” he drawled.

Her eyes narrowed, but she was still looking at the screen, not him. Today she wore a sleek black sheath dress and a delicate string of pearls around her neck, her hair smooth and straight. Enver had yet to see Elegy Bhaal look anything less than perfectly composed.

“If you say ‘flyover states’ again anywhere outside of this office, I will flay you alive,” she said coolly. Even then she didn't look at him.

“Do you promise?” he said, his lips curling into a smirk when her gray eyes finally shifted to him.

“I promise. In fact, I'm joining you for this leg so I can keep an eye on you.”

His smirk widened into a full grin. “How lucky I am.”

He caught the briefest hint of a smile on her lips before she looked down at the screen again and swiped. “I didn’t realize I’d have to make sure you don’t offend Midwestern voters along the way, but I will,” she sighed. “Are you up to speed on the itinerary?”

He waved a hand. “Of course. Auto manufacturing tours, photo ops at small businesses, and rallies at every college we could find. We have my remarks ready.”

“The youth vote is important,” she said lightly, almost absentmindedly. “And I think you’ll do well on college campuses. But just a warning, Enver, if there is even a hint of you getting too comfortable with a co-ed, I promise again that will flay you alive, and it won’t be in a fun away.”

She looked at him now, fully focusing on him for the first time. It was easy to see how she used that cold stare to keep people in line. But he smiled back at her.

“You’re worried I’ll be tempted to spend my extremely limited free time with college students? God, why would I?”

Elegy closed the case of her iPad with a decisive snap. “The last thing this campaign needs is a sex scandal.”

He huffed a laugh. “I promise I have no interest in a quick fuck with someone half my age. The risk is immense, and I’d be bored to tears.”

Enver much preferred someone he could match wits with. Someone with spirit. Someone who understood how the world worked.

She kept him fixed in her gaze for a few moments longer, seemingly assessing whether the topic required further discussion. Finally, she raised one eyebrow and shrugged gracefully.

“Good. Then I’ll see you on the plane tomorrow morning. Don’t be late.”

Her words clearly were meant as a dismissal, but Enver remained seated.

“I’m almost insulted that you think I would be late for something as delightful as a flight on a private plane,” he mused.

Elegy picked up her iPad, cell phone, and a few paper files before walking around to the front of the desk. She looked down at Enver with a glimmer of curiosity in her gaze.

“I thought a private plane would be old hat for the protégé of Vincent Bane.”

At that, he laughed outright. “And you think he’s eager to share, even with those he mentors? I’ve enjoyed it a few times, true. But don’t forget, I’m a man of the people.”

“Of course, Cinderella. You’ll feel right at home when we switch to a bus, then,” she said dryly.

“I’m sure I will. It sounds positively humble in comparison.”

She hummed noncommittally, then looked down at him and smiled. “Get out of my office, Enver.”

He stood, and it amused him that her pale eyes now had to travel upwards to meet his gaze. It had no effect on her cool demeanor or her seemingly unshakeable confidence.

It only made her smile sharpen.

“I want to review your remarks for Detroit on the plane,” she said. “Make sure they’re good.”

“They are,” he responded easily. But his eyes lingered on her mouth for half a second too long, and he found himself wondering idly what her wicked lips and teeth would feel like against his neck.

Elegy noticed. She barely moved, but she focused on him with a renewed alertness that reminded Enver of a predator catching the scent of new prey.

“We’ll see if you can meet my standards,” she said, still smiling. “Now get out.”

⋅--------------------------✧--------------------------⋅

A day later, Enver sat in a Detroit hotel suite across a table from decorated war hero and retired general Ketheric Thorm.

Ketheric had campaigned for Bhaal before, and he was scheduled to speak at the biggest Michigan rally scheduled for this trip, so Enver wasn’t surprised to meet him. He had been surprised when Elegy had mentioned that she wanted the three of them to meet privately before they met with the advance team.

But in the few weeks since he had been announced as Bhaal’s VP candidate, Enver had found himself agreeing with Elegy’s decisions at every turn. Thanks to this newfound trust, when Elegy demanded that he and Ketheric both hand her their cell phones, he merely arched an eyebrow instead of telling her to fuck off.

Elegy stood in front of him, holding her hand out expectantly.

Ketheric Thorm decisively placed his phone on the table with a quiet grunt.

Enver glanced at him. Despite his age, the retired general boasted a full head of hair and a robust beard, all steely gray in color and neatly combed. His heavy-lidded eyes watched them carefully, but Enver saw a begrudging respect on his face when the older man looked at Elegy. Ketheric barely disguised his suspicion when he looked at Enver.

With a small sigh, Enver placed his cell phone in Elegy’s waiting hand.

She promptly produced her own phone, picked up Ketheric’s, walked towards the open hotel safe, and shut them inside.

“Is that really necessary?” Enver grumbled.

“This is an important conversation,” she said as she walked back towards them. “I wouldn’t want you to be distracted.”

The lightly mocking tone of her voice never failed to both irritate and amuse him. Based on the half-smile on her face, she was well aware.

She pulled out the third chair at the table and sat in one fluid motion. “Gentlemen. I wanted us to have some time to talk because, while we all may have different reasons for it, we share a common goal. And I believe we share the same deep commitment to achieving that goal.”

“Your father in the White House,” Ketheric said, his voice a low rasp. It was the first time he had spoken since their introduction.

“Precisely. And while I'm certainly doing my best to run a brilliant campaign, there's more we can do. And the Absolute will help us.”

Enver recalled the night after his announcement as Bhaal's running mate, when Elegy leaned forward from her perch on her desk with a gleam in her eye.

“You said Ravengard doesn't take cybersecurity seriously, and the current administration is no better. They've all but ignored it. We can use that to our advantage,” she had said.

He sipped his scotch, savoring the smoky flavor as it burned its way down his throat. “Forgive me, my dear, but I don't see how a group of crackpot conspiracy theorists advances our cause.” Nevertheless, he found himself drawn towards her, curious where her thoughts would lead.

“It will if ‘the Absolute’ becomes a real threat. And we can make the Absolute a real threat.”

“How?” he responded skeptically. “Don't tell me that you have friends among the Absolute.”

“Oh, I have many friends.” She grinned. “But don't worry, dear Enver. I'll come up with a plan. You just need to keep being your handsome, charming self.”

They had said their goodbyes shortly afterwards and Elegy hadn't mentioned it again, until now.

“I've spoken with you both separately, but it was time to bring the three of us together,” she said.

Enver sighed, drumming his fingers on the table. “Please explain how our campaign will be helped by the people who are convinced that aliens live among us and they've put worms in our brains to control us. And that the government is hiding the proof of all of it.”

“Some of them believe it's devils, not aliens, if I'm not mistaken,” Elegy replied with a smirk. “And I was getting to that. Members of the Absolute frequently threaten to hack into government systems and reveal this so-called ‘Absolute Truth.’ Intelligence and law enforcement haven’t taken them seriously, of course, because they appear to lack… well, any kind of organization, really.”

Ketheric nodded, something Enver noted with surprise.

“They could be a real threat if they had the right information and the right skills… or at least, if people believe that they do,” Elegy continued. “It’s simple enough. General Thorm will graciously provide the national security information we need, and I will ensure the attack happens.”

Enver raised his eyebrows. “What? You will?”

His skepticism failed to ruffle her feathers; her voice remained as cool as ever. “What, a girl can't have hobbies? Don't fret, Enver. There will be intermediaries, and nothing will be traced back to us. I promise.”

He stared at her, struggling to assess whether he had walked into a situation likely to land him in federal prison for the rest of his life or an opportunity that might get him elected President of the United States by the time he turned fifty.

Elegy met his gaze steadily.

“You’re quite serious? You believe that this can be done without anything incriminating us?”

“And while making sure the Absolute gets credit for it, yes. I’m quite confident.”

That much is obvious, he thought to himself. She truly believed she could carry out a conspiracy to lead them to victory. The sheer arrogance of it was astounding.

He also found it incredibly attractive, and he suspected that Elegy was counting on it.

Out loud, he said, “Let's make a wager, then, since you’re so confident. What do I get if you're wrong?”

“What else could you possibly want from me, Enver?” She widened her eyes, the picture of innocence.

“Some kind of compensation for wrecking my political career, but you'll be in no position to give it,” he said with a scowl.

She tilted her head to the side. "Surely there must be something else you have in mind, then, since you suggested a wager.”

He sighed. “Regrettably, most of what comes to mind would be difficult for you to accomplish from prison. Still, I would like some form of reassurance–”

Ketheric loudly cleared his throat.

“There’s no need to concern yourself with the technical details, Congressman,” he said, somehow making the title sound like an insult. “Miss Bhaal and I will see to that. You only need to worry about your role.”

“Which is?” he asked, a little too curtly.

From underneath the table, he felt a sharp nudge against his foot. He glanced at Elegy and she looked back at him serenely.

“You get to show the country that Stelmane and Ravengard – and the damn Portyr administration – are weak,” Ketheric growled.

Enver frowned, about to interject, when he felt Elegy’s foot brush against his and slowly travel higher up his leg.

He glanced at her again, but she was looking at Ketheric, who continued on, oblivious.

“You get to show that they’ve ignored threats to this country over and over again, but you and Governor Bhaal offer an alternative.”

Elegy’s foot pressed against the fabric of his pant leg, sliding up and down his calf with an intentionality that Enver found hard to ignore, even while Ketheric glowered at him.

“I’m sure that most of your political career has been spent selling bullshit, so it shouldn’t be too hard for you to say something true for once,” the general concluded.

“Thank you for that keen assessment, General,” Enver said, not bothering to keep the sneer out of his voice.

Pain suddenly shot through him as Elegy delivered a swift kick to his shin.

“What the General means to say,” Elegy cut in while Enver clenched his jaw, “is that you have the record, the technical knowledge, and the charm to bring this issue to the forefront and embarrass our adversaries. You get to play the hero. You’ll be the young, dashing candidate offering a solution.” She smiled sweetly at him. “How does that sound?”

The surge of anger he felt warred against the simmering lust that had been slowly building within him, and it took Enver a moment to master his emotions. He fixed his gaze on Elegy, blatantly ignoring the general so he could pour all of his energy into assessing this impressive, irritating, astounding woman.

She patiently endured his scrutiny in silence.

There was enormous risk here, but also enormous potential for reward. All of it hinged on whether he could trust the two people seated beside him.

“I want to see specifics before anything goes forward,” Enver said after a long pause. “Including your plan for ensuring the attack will not be traced to us in any way. And you should understand that if some part of this plan goes awry, I won’t hesitate to save myself.”

Ketheric scoffed, ready to interject his opinion, but Elegy simply held up a hand and the old man fell silent.

“It’s a deal,” she said. “And I wouldn’t expect anything less.” She smiled at him, bestowing not the saccharine expression she had given him a few moments ago but the delightfully wicked grin that he much preferred.

She stood, offering Enver her hand. He rose to his feet and clasped her hand with his own, matching her firm grip.

“Gentlemen, I have high hopes for the three of us,” she purred as he shook her hand. She then shook hands with Ketheric. Finally, under her watchful eyes, the two men begrudgingly shook hands.

“Now then.” She looked at her watch. “We have a meeting to get to.”

⋅--------------------------✧--------------------------⋅

Later that week, Elegy sat at the table near the back of the campaign bus, supposedly re-reading the speech open in front of her against the backdrop of the endless cornfields of Illinois. Their drive today had been flat and boring. Usually that didn’t bother her in the slightest; she prided herself on her razor-sharp focus. Today, however, she needed something more interesting to watch.

Because she kept finding herself looking at the back of Enver Gortash’s neck.

It was a silly thing to fixate on, perhaps. But he looked a little too appealing in his black button-down shirt, with the way his tan deepened with every outdoor rally they had and his sleeves were rolled up to his elbows. His feet were propped up on the seat in front of him, something that might have seemed insufferably arrogant if he weren’t a vice-presidential candidate. From this perspective, she could see he was looking at his phone. Based on the speed of his scrolling, he was unlikely to be looking at anything important.

She watched him for a minute. Then she swiped open her own phone and typed out, Come read through the edits I’ve made to your speech.

She hit send, and a few seconds later Enver’s thumb paused in its scrolling. Elegy calmly looked down at her laptop right before he turned around to look at her.

Her tone might have seemed insufferably arrogant to any other candidate. Enver seemed to like it.

She scrolled through the speech one more time as he approached, refusing to look up until he slid into the seat across the small table from her. When she finally deigned to acknowledge him, he grinned.

Enver had an uncanny talent for making someone feel like they were the only person in the room. It was a useful skill for any politician to have. Even though this wasn’t the first time Elegy had noticed it, she wasn’t entirely immune; she felt the force of his charisma almost as if it was a physical thing, pulling her ever-so-slightly towards him.

She wondered how many people he had fooled into getting lost in those dark eyes.

“You wanted to see me?” he said cheerfully.

Elegy wordlessly pushed the laptop across the table to him. Enver nodded and made himself comfortable as he started to read, leaning back in the seat and stretching out his legs until they bumped into hers. She resisted the urge to deliver another punishing kick to his shin, as she had the other day. After all, if she made a habit of it, she’d lose the element of surprise.

He jostled her leg again even as he pretended to focus only on the speech. Elegy let out a small sigh, lifted one foot, and pressed her stiletto heel into his leg just above the ankle.

Enver barely flinched, only exhaling a little more forcefully than normal, before glancing at her over the top of the laptop screen. The look he gave her was momentary, but the heat in his eyes was remarkable. She looked back at him wearing a bored expression, even while she enjoyed the delicious buzz running through her body.

Playing these little games with him was an objectively terrible decision, but they entertained her immensely.

“It’s good,” Enver said after a minute of silence. After once last sweep over the screen, he moved the laptop to the side, making a show of giving her his full attention.

“Good.” She hadn’t moved her foot, although she was no longer digging her heel into him.

“The event with Ketheric went well the other day,” he remarked quietly.

She raised her eyebrows, curious where his seemingly innocuous comment would lead. Thankfully, she had enough faith in him to trust that he wouldn’t casually mention the full extent of their time with Ketheric.

He continued on when she remained silent. “I’m curious, Elegy: why didn’t you choose Ketheric as your VP? Decorated war hero, nationwide name recognition, born and raised in a swing state, et cetera.”

“You think I should have run a campaign for two widowed old men? Perish the thought.” She pulled her laptop back towards her. “It’s bad enough that you’re unmarried.”

“And yet you still picked me.” He flashed her another smile, clearly pleased with himself.

“Yes, and I’m working very hard to turn you into America’s most eligible bachelor.” She eyed his chest, noting that he perhaps had unbuttoned a few too many buttons today, not that she minded at the moment. “But it would have been more convenient if you had an airhead wife and a baby that we could bring out for photos,” she added with a sigh.

He huffed a laugh. “Is that what you were?”

While he spoke in a low voice and no one sat close to them, the question still forced her to check their surroundings with a swift glance. She shot him a frosty look for his presumptuousness.

“The baby, I mean, not the airhead wife,” he smirked.

“I caught your meaning, thank you.” Her eyes flickered to the window; she still saw endless fields. She could sense him studying her, waiting to dissect her answer, so she drew out the silence until her thoughts had settled.

“I suppose I was that, in a manner of speaking. Not a child but a tool.” She turned back to Enver and smiled sardonically. “Not as a baby, though; I was older when he first dragged me around on the campaign trail. He realized he needed me after he lost his first run for president. He had to resurrect his career, and emphasizing family values helped.”

“Hmmm,” was all he said, although she saw a kind of recognition in his gaze. It was precisely that glimmer of understanding that led her to answer his question in the first place.

He drummed his fingers against the table, and then added, “I’m surprised your father never remarried.”

 “I had a stepmother once, but it didn’t last. He’s not really the romantic sort, my father,” she said dryly. “Not that most politicians are. Regardless… I won’t be the first daughter to take on the duties of a First Lady.”

“Oh, I’m sure you’ll do a wonderful job as First Lady.” The warm baritone of his voice dipped lower in pitch. “I’m sure that’s not all you’ll be doing, though.”

She smiled. “Enver, if you think you’ll need help learning how to be Vice President, just say it.”

He laughed, tilting his head back, and the movement drew her eyes back to his neck and chest. Then he leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table and shifting his legs to slide one knee in between hers.

“My dearest Elegy, I’m certain I’ll need you,” he drawled.

His melodic voice transformed the sentence into a masterpiece; the near growl of her name fed a lazy, rolling heat in her core. 

She liked Enver Gortash; she really did. She liked that he was an effective politician, intelligent and ruthless, and she liked how his dark eyes followed her every movement and how he said her name. She didn’t bother with lying to herself; she already had contemplated the many ways he could be useful to her outside of the campaign.

But right now he wanted a reaction, and she was determined not to give it to him.

“I’ll consider it,” she said blithely. “But that’s all I needed from you. You can go back to your seat now.”

His eyes glittered dangerously, telling her that the game was far from over, but she was satisfied to win this round. Elegy smiled again, this time with a false brightness that she knew he saw through and therefore found most irritating.

“Thank you so much for your help, Congressman,” she simpered, loudly enough for others to hear.

“You’re very welcome,” he bit out. She practically could see his devious mind spinning and strategizing, but finally he stood and turned away from her.

Her eyes followed him as he walked back to his seat. This time, when he glanced over his shoulder to look at her, as she had guessed he would, she didn’t look away.

⋅--------------------------✧--------------------------⋅

In downtown St. Louis, Enver shut the door to his hotel room with a small groan of relief. As good as he was at campaigning – and he was good – he hardly had a moment to himself in the past few days. He tossed his suit jacket on the bed, loosened his tie, and reached for the bottle of whiskey he had left on the dresser. After a meet-and-greet with small business owners, donor calls, tours of two college campuses, three interviews, and a fundraising dinner, he needed a drink.

He had just sat at the edge of the bed, glass in hand, when his phone buzzed.

Turn on the TV. Channel 5, Elegy’s text read.

Enver rolled his eyes, but he reached for the remote. He sipped his whiskey as he hit the power button and the number 5.

He watched for about thirty seconds before texting back, Which room?

What do you mean? she replied.

Don’t play dumb, it doesn’t suit you. Which room are you in? He hit send and downed the rest of his drink.

There was a longer pause before his phone lit up again: 1113.

He could practically feel her icy glare through the phone. He smirked to himself, grabbed his room key and the bottle of whiskey, and stepped into the hallway.

Elegy’s room was at the end of the hall. She opened the door before he could knock and immediately delivered the withering look he had anticipated.

She had also attended the dinner tonight, fulfilling her role as the potential First Daughter, and they both had been busy working the room. They scarcely had time to look at each other. Enver took a moment now to appreciate the image of her, dressed in yet another of her well-tailored dresses, this time dark red and with a deeper neckline than she would have worn in the daytime. It clung to her curves in a way that momentarily stole his focus.

“What are you doing,” she hissed under her breath, and she practically pulled him inside before shutting the door quickly. He grinned in response to her anger, remembering his purpose.

“I thought we could watch the news together, that’s all. And surely we both deserve a nightcap after that interminable dinner.” He looked around the room, noting the dining table and sofa. “Why, pray tell, are your hotel rooms always bigger than mine?”

She scowled at him. “Because I typically host all of our meetings, as you are known to become insufferable when you don’t have time alone to brood, or whatever the hell it is that you do. Now, shut up, we’re missing things.” She stalked towards the TV with a barely concealed frenetic energy.

Enver watched her with amusement, even though he felt the same. He walked towards the bar cabinet – another benefit of her suite – and fished out two rocks glasses while listening for the news. She had changed the channel to CNN, and the anchor’s voice rang out with dispassionate precision.

“…announced that the cyberattack occurred approximately four hours ago, targeting the Federal Aviation Administration’s Notice to Air Missions system and disrupting all air travel within the United States. While the FAA and FBI have announced they are still investigating the origins of the attack, a group known as the Absolute is already claiming responsibility on social media. But the White House has cautioned against jumping to conclusions.”

The screen cut to the White House briefing room, where a bearded man in a blue suit stood behind the podium, speaking in a wheedling tone. Volothamp Geddarm, White House Press Secretary, CNN helpfully annotated.

Enver laughed under his breath and began pouring the whiskey.

“President Portyr urges the public to remain calm while the FAA investigates. At this time there is no evidence, none whatsoever, to suggest a malicious attack–”

“God, Volo is such a buffoon,” Elegy muttered. “I simply cannot believe that they don’t have a better option.” Enver joined her in front of the TV and offered her one of the glasses.

“Cheers, my dear,” he said. She shot him a dark look but accepted the drink nevertheless.

Her eyes lingered on him until a reporter asked a question that was met with sputtering denial.

“Well, I – once again, there is no evidence that the followers of the so-called Absolute have the capability – it is absurd, really – let us not be hasty,” Volo said. “The President remains steadfast against the real threats to our nation, and we will not give into fearmongering!”

Elegy huffed in amusement and sipped her whiskey. The cameras cut back to the newsroom.

“In response to the White House, Governor Bhaal’s presidential campaign has urged that the potential threat of cyberattacks by the Absolute be taken seriously and highlighted the Portyr-Stelmane Administration’s reluctance to address cybersecurity in the past. Let’s take a look,” the anchor said evenly.

The screen changed again, this time displaying footage of Gale speaking into a cluster of microphones, with Gale Dekarios, Bhaal-Gortash Campaign Spokesperson imposed underneath him. Glancing to the side, Enver watched Elegy tense, her eyes bright.

“Governor Bhaal certainly agrees that this is not a time for hasty conclusions and urges the FAA and FBI to thoroughly investigate,” Gale declared, his expression grave. “However, the White House’s response to this apparent attack is just one example of many that illustrates how President Portyr and Vice President Stelmane are woefully unprepared for the security threats of the modern era.”

“Oh, good boy,” Elegy murmured against her glass. She took another sip and then a wicked smirk flickered across her lips as she looked at Enver. “He’s sleeping with Mystra, you know.”

“With Mystra?” he repeated, a touch incredulous but already starting to grin. “Gale is sleeping with the Secretary of State?”

“He’s ambitious, our Gale,” she said, matching his grin.

He eyed her as he drank deeply. “You seem to collect ambitious people,” he mused. “And they all follow you around like lovesick puppies.”

She laughed, and it only added to the feeling that there was a crackling energy between them. He stepped closer.

“Does that bother you, Enver?” Her smile was razor-sharp now, her eyes alight with mischief and arrogance.

“Of course not.” He took another sip and then set his empty glass on the dresser. The alcohol was sending a pleasant warmth coursing through his veins, but it was nowhere near as intoxicating as the buzz he felt when he locked eyes with the scheming creature beside him. “I appreciate ambition. I’d be a terrible politician if I didn’t.”

She shifted towards him, close enough that she had to tilt her head back to maintain eye contact with him. “No, Enver. Does it bother you that they follow me around?”

He looked down at her, thinking that he was ready to wipe the taunting smile off of her face, when the TV caught his attention.

“We have breaking news: the FBI has released a statement stating that their preliminary investigation of the cyberattack on the Federal Aviation Administration shows the attack can be attributed to the anti-government group commonly known as the Absolute. The Director of National Intelligence, Jaheira Harper, is expected in the White House briefing room momentarily…”

Enver looked back at Elegy, almost laughing. She raised her glass.

“To our success,” she said with a teasing edge to her words.

She poured most of the remaining amber liquid into her mouth before tipping the glass towards him to offer him the last swallow.

Enver accepted her offer, his eyes never leaving her face as he drained the glass and placed it on the dresser with a small thud.

“To our success,” he repeated, letting his voice drop low, full of heat and promise.

As soon as the words left his lips, Elegy grabbed his tie, pulled him towards her, and captured his mouth with hers.

[A/N: Thank you so much to @verbenaa for beta reading!! Stay tuned for more.. :)]