Page 159 of Twist of Fate

Asterius had already complimented three courtiers, accepted a flower from a fourth, and convinced one of the musicians to play a song he claimed was written about him. His interest in Tyson should have appeared no different from the attention he gave everyone else.

Connal knew his brother better than that.

Asterius crossed the hall and bowed with enough flourish to draw several curious glances. “Dance with me.”

Tyson looked from the hand extended toward him to Asterius’s expectant expression.

“No.”

“You did not consider it.”

“I considered it before you finished crossing the room.”

“Then you had ample time to recognize the brilliance of the idea.”

“I recognized something.”

Asterius’s smile widened. “Was it my charm?”

“Your inability to accept a simple answer.” Tyson turned and walked away.

Asterius remained where he was, his hand still extended as if he expected Tyson to reconsider before reaching the far side of the hall.

He did not.

But just before Tyson disappeared into the crowd, he looked back.

The change in Asterius was slight. His smile remained, and when a passing courtier caught his abandoned hand and pulled him into the dance, he followed without protest.

His gaze stayed on Tyson.

Luke stepped closer to Connal. “Was that progress?”

“For Asterius?”

“For either of them.”

Connal watched Tyson vanish behind a group of laughing pixies while Asterius allowed himself to be swept farther into the dancers.

“Ask me after one of them admits what he is doing.”

“So never.”

“Most likely.”

Luke laughed. The music shifted around them, the lively rhythm softening into something slower. Couples moved closer as the dance changed.

Luke looked toward the center of the hall, then held out his hand.

“Come on.”

Connal placed his hand in Luke’s. “You wish to dance?”

“I survived the fight, the mating claim, and Gomez becoming a ceremonial official. I think I can manage one dance.”

“You may regret such confidence.”

Luke drew him toward the waiting music. “Then you’d better make sure I don’t fall.”