Page 115 of A Sunwoven Ascent

“What if they ask?”

“They will not,” Aurelia said through clenched teeth, “and if they do, you will smile, and redirect the conversation.”

“To what?” Heidara pressed.

“To something appropriate.”

Heidara considered this.

“I do not know anything appropriate in your world.”

Aurelia swayed slightly. “Good heavens…”

She turned in a slow circle, taking in the three of them—the slouching wolf, the smirking alpha, and the female who would rather spar than sit—and pressed both hands to her forehead.

“You are all utterly hopeless.”

Evelyne finally gave up entirely, laughter escaping her as she leaned back into her chair, unable to contain it any longer. Across the room, Holden shot her a look.

“This is your fault,” he snapped.

“I am not the one who refuses to sit nicely,” she replied between breaths.

Kaldrek shifted slightly in his chair, adjusting his posture just enough to mimic Aurelia’s instruction. “Like this?” he asked.

Aurelia looked at him. Then sighed deeply.

“Yes,” she said at last. “Exactly like that.”

He smirked. Holden groaned. And Evelyne, watching it all unfold, thought her mother was definitely out of her mind.

“Evelyne! A little assistance, please?” Aurelia called, her voice rich with theatrical urgency.

Evelyne did not bother rising from her chair. “Me? This was entirely your doing.”

“It most certainly was not,” Aurelia said, pressing a hand to her chest as though wounded. “This was Mother’s doing. That one is your mate.” She pointed at Kaldrek, then Heidara. “She is your dear friend. And he—” She flicked her wrist toward Holden.

“Is incredibly good-looking,” Holden supplied flatly, without the faintest trace of charm. At least he was acting a little more like himself today.

Aurelia stared at him for a long moment before throwing up her hands. “I truly cannot imagine why I agreed to this. It is your future at stake, not mine. Perhaps I should fetch Mother. She would undoubtedly be more effective.”

“I would rather peel off my own fingernails one by one than sit in a room with that woman again,” Holden muttered. “No offense, Ev, but she is awful.”

Evelyne stood up at last. “All right, enough. If we are to attempt this, we shall do it correctly.”

She stepped forward, clapping her hands once for attention.

“Cillian, you will partner with Heidara. Kaldrek—you are with me. And Aurelia…” She paused, glancing between her sister and Holden. “You shall manage him.”

“Oh, for fu—” Holden began under his breath.

“Do finish that sentence,” Aurelia snapped.

Evelyne turned, ignoring the exchange before it could escalate. “Spread out,” she instructed, gesturing toward the open floor. “Move away from the chairs. You will need space.”

Reluctantly, they obeyed.

Evelyne stepped into position before Kaldrek, lifting her hand gracefully. “We will begin with something simple. A standard court dance, one that every member of society is expected to know.”