Page 449 of Axis of Fire

One hand caught mine.

The other settled firmly around my waist.

Before I could even react—

he lifted me clean off the ground.

A startled breath escaped me as he carried me through the crowd toward the center of the dance floor.

Every eye followed us.

By the time my feet touched the marble again, I still hadn't processed what had happened.

"What are you—"

"I made a few changes to this year's tradition."

His arm tightened around my waist.

I looked around in stunned silence.

Not far away, Stasia stood frozen beside Miloran.

Tarven was dancing with Rosalie.

Then my gaze found the blonde again.

Bestla.

She was glaring at me now—

while standing beside Taylor.

Only moments ago she'd been walking toward Airis.

"The Strongest," Airis said quietly,

"dance with the strongest this year."

The orchestra began to play.

A flicker of tension ran through me as I tried to remember everything Sabina and Suar had drilled into us.

Three days of dance lessons clearly hadn't been enough.

My balance still betrayed me whenever I had to think about it.

Airis, however, seemed to have no intention of letting me think.

He drew me closer until my chin rested lightly against his shoulder before slowly guiding us across the floor.

"If Sabina and Suar see us—"

"They won't care."

He cut me off before I could finish.

"And even if they do..."