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“And why do you think that is?”

I forced a laugh. “Isn’t it obvious? Everyone hates me. If they don’t hate me, then they’re afraid of me.”

He raised a brow. “Is that what you think? Perhaps they’re simply staring because you’re a beautiful woman.”

I flushed. “The world is cruel to beautiful women. I learned that long ago.”

He was quiet for a moment. “I’m sorry for that.”

“It’s fine,” I said, trying to sound casual. “I learned the solution to that problem a long time ago, too.”

“Oh? And what’s that?”

“Make the world afraid.” I bit my lip as he studied my face. He seemed disappointed. “What?”

“You think these people are staring at you because they’re afraid? I promise you, that’s not it.”

“Then, what is it?” I demanded, lifting my chin.

“They’re all looking at you because you’re the only thing in this room worth possessing—and because you’re in my arms.” He lowered his mouth to my ear. “Tell me, when’s the last time your archon said that to you?”

Kage was deluded, I decided. Maybe that’s what becoming a wolf did to a person. Still, I swallowed. “Never.”

“I thought not. You’re trapped in a lie, but it doesn’t have to be that way, Regan.”

I shook my head in disbelief. “And you? You think your life is any less of a lie? Look at where we are right now!” I glanced at the stage. Would this waltz ever end, or had the musicians begun playing the same song a second time?

Kage moved us through the next turn before answering. “You make a fair point.Which is why I’ve decided to end my engagement.”

The ballroom dissolved. I felt the floor sway beneath my heels. “You’ve what?”

“My betrothal ends tonight,” he repeated, his voice unnervingly calm. “I misjudged what I could live with—and without.”

“And your fiancée? When were you planning on telling her this?”

“As soon as we’ve finished dancing.”

“You’ll humiliate her,” I hissed, feeling some odd measure of sympathy for the blightborn girl. “Not to mention your grandmother. Your entire family! What will they say?”

“They’ll understand—if not tonight, in time. This engagement was never real, it was meant to shield Florence from Viktor. You know this—and I think you know what will happen to her if Viktor is able to get a hold of her.” His eyes bore into me, suddenly cold.

My throat felt dry. “I have … some idea.”

I knew Viktor fantasized about something called soulbinding. And I knew he was too much of a coward to do the ritual on himself. “I’d never have let him do that to me,” I whispered. But I also knew I didn’t have a hope in hell of stopping him if he’d tried.

Kage nodded. “I knew you’d say that. Regardless, I’ve realized I can still offer Florence the protection of House Avari without chaining her to a future with me that she doesn’t want.”

My heart thudded. “How do you know she doesn’t want it? That she doesn’t want you?”

“I know,” he said simply. “Is it really so hard to believe?”

I couldn’t give him an honest answer to that, so I didn’t reply.

“Why can’t you accept that the world isn’t always forged from fear and cruelty, Regan?” he said softly. “Who taught you those were the only coins worth spending?”

I gave a brittle laugh. “My family. Not to mention years of experience.” I looked across the room at where Blake and Medra were dancing. “Maybe even him.”

“You cared for him so much, then?”