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Precisely, Nyxaris agreed. It may never come to pass.

Kage moved through the steps of the dance with crisp efficiency … and not an ounce of heat. His steps were sure. He danced gracefully. But as he held me in his arms, there was nothing pulling us closer. No sense of passion or urgency. Not like there was when I so much as brushed a hand over Nyxaris’s scales or slid my hips along his back. My pulse sped up as I thought about it.

What is happening? If the wolf dares do more than dance with you, I swear I will shred his intestines.

I cleared my throat hastily, shifting a little.

“Sorry.” Kage misread the gesture. “Too tight?”

“No, it’s fine. My slippers are hurting,” I lied awkwardly.

He nodded, his expression polite but distant. We’d tried to keep up polite small talk all through dinner. But now I got the impression that he was tired. If he noticed my pulse was beating a little faster all of a sudden, he gave no sign of it.

Round and round we went, turning in meaningless circles while the sea of bored highbloods watched. Did they approve of this, a blightborn girl in one of their most favored son’s arms? Perhaps what they approved of was keeping Nyxaris within highblood control; that was something everyone could get on board with.

The waltz finally ended, and I couldn’t help it: I breathed a sigh of relief. Kage looked amused. He released me and bowed. I awkwardly curtsied. Relieved to get away, I moved over to the refreshment table that had been set up along one wall. Fortunately, the servants had set out some punch and lemonade alongside the vats of bloodwine and champagne. I took a sip of lemonade—and then nearly choked.

Kage was dancing again, and this time, Regan was in his arms.

The young headmistress’s black and scarlet gown glittered like embers. Kage had both hands wrapped around her waist in a way that seemed overtly possessive, even to a novice like me. He leaned in close to murmur something in her ear.

I turned away quickly, deciding this form of eavesdropping wasn’t for me. Kage and I might have been engaged, but he wasn’t bound to me, not truly. Of course he would still take lovers. I lifted my chin. And so might I. I took another sip of lemonade, walking around the ballroom slowly, and then nearly choked a second time when a finger tapped me on the shoulder.

“Florence? I was hoping we could talk.”

I turned around to see my fiancé.

Kage looked uncomfortable, which was unusual for him. “Would you mind joining me on the terrace for a moment? There’s something I’d like to discuss with you in private.”

Could he not have spoken with you while you danced? Why is he here again? The wolf reeks of guilt, Nyxaris muttered.

Hush, I rebuked him. But he had a point. Kage was looking a little, well, cagey.

I followed him onto the terrace. No one else was out there: The spring night was too chilly to linger outside.

Kage walked up to the railing, then turned to me. “I won’t keep you long. Florence, this engagement—”

The traitorous bastard, Nyxaris growled without warning. I shall snap the pup’s neck.

There was only one thing that could make Nyxaris react in such a way. Instead of shock, I felt a flood of relief. I knew exactly what Kage was about to say.

“You wish to end our engagement,” I interrupted.

He blinked. “I do. Does that mean … you agree?”

“I agree that it was a mistake. I never wished to tie you to me like this, even for my own protection.”

“And I would not have you tied to me,” he said quietly.“I’ve been rehearsing apologies all evening. None of them seemed adequate.”

Because they are inadequate. He is a coward and a traitor.

Nyxaris, behave, I warned.

I am behaving. Do you see me in the skies? No. Because I have not roasted him yet.

Nyxaris, I hissed. Hush.

He is a spineless pup, Nyxaris grumbled. And I was a fool to entrust you to his care.