Page 130 of A Sunwoven Ascent

Celeste brought her gloved hands together in refined applause, and the room followed, though more cautiously this time, curiosity threading through the sound. Evelyne and Aurelia crossed the ballroom toward the entrance, arriving just as Kaldrek and his company stepped into view. A hush swept through the room, followed by whispers.

“Lord of Centaro?” a gentleman murmured nearby. “I have never traveled so far.”

“He is remarkably handsome,” came a soft voice from a cluster of debutantes, their fans fluttering as they leaned together.

Evelyne resisted the urge to roll her eyes. This was going to be a problem. She felt it at once: that sharp flicker of possessiveness in her chest, the bond between her and Kaldrek stirring with unmistakable warning. She would need to get hold of herself.

He and Holden looked impeccable. The tailor had outdone himself. Their dark green and black garments fit perfectly, emphasizing their size rather than trying to hide it. Their hair had been styled with care, their usual ruggedness refined just enough for the setting, though both had insisted on keeping a trace of scruff.

It worked.

Too well.

Evelyne’s breath caught as she took Kaldrek in, but she forced herself to remain composed as his eyes found hers. One brow lifted, and his mouth curved into a slow, satisfied smirk as he looked her over in return.

You look entirely too tempting, Lady Evelyne.

Her pulse jumped.

I am already struggling to behave, she sent back quickly. Do not make this worse. I would very much prefer not to have my brother become aware of… any new scents this evening.

A flicker of amusement crossed his expression.

Right. Understood.

He cleared his throat softly, though his eyes remained fixed on her. Evelyne stepped closer without hesitation and slipped her arm through his, staking her claim without a word. Let them look. Let them whisper. He was hers, and she had no intention of pretending otherwise.

Aurelia approached Holden with surprising composure and dipped into a graceful curtsey. “A pleasure to see you again, Lord Holden.”

To Evelyne’s astonishment, Holden answered properly. He took Aurelia’s hand, carefully this time, lifted it just enough to bow over her knuckles, and placed a light kiss there.

“The pleasure is entirely mine, my lady.”

Evelyne blinked.

Had he just… behaved?

And flirted?

Aurelia swayed almost imperceptibly the moment his lips brushed her hand, though she recovered quickly, offering a poised smile that did little to conceal the faint tremor beneath it. She stepped aside to greet Heidara with another curtsey, and not a heartbeat later, her fan appeared—snapped open and moving with sudden urgency as she fanned herself far more vigorously than etiquette required.

Their mother signaled the music to start, and so the evening began in full swing.

Chapter 53

Kaldrek had faced monsters in tunnels, torn through creatures born of blood and shadow, and stood unshaken against things far worse than anything this ballroom could offer. And yet nothing had prepared him for this.

The music swelled, far too refined to feel natural to him. It filled the room with a rhythm he could not fight, only follow. He stood at the edge of the dance floor, hand raised as Evelyne had instructed, waiting for the dance to begin.

Fuck, this was ridiculous.

Still, he remained. For her.

Evelyne stood before him, her hand poised to meet his, her golden gown catching the candlelight with every subtle movement. She held herself with steady strength, chin lifted, as though she did not care who watched or what they thought. He knew better. He knew she felt every gaze, every whisper beneath the music, and still she stood there. For him. For her family. For the life she was trying to build with him.

So he stepped forward, took her hand, and let her draw him into the dance.

Around them, the other couples slipped into formation, debutantes and polished gentlemen moving as though born to such rituals. Kaldrek felt the room’s attention turn toward him, curiosity and scrutiny following every step. He ignored it. The moment Evelyne’s eyes met his, the rest of the room faded. She looked unreal, like something the world did not deserve to hold.