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I tried to shut him out. “So we’re free, then?” I said hastily to Kage. “You’ll speak to your grandmother?”

He nodded. “At once.”

“I hope it goes well.”

He smiled slightly. “It won’t. But before I go, please know that I won’t leave you unprotected. We may be ending our engagement, but House Avari will continue to stand between you and Viktor Drakharrow. I give you my word on that.”

I could feel Nyxaris’s temper flare. His word? Did he not give you his word when you became betrothed? I scoff at his word. His word means nothing. I shall protect you. It was idiocy to trust a highblood. We will no longer count on this silver wolf cub.

“Thank you,” I said, ignoring Nyxaris. “That’s generous. And very kind of you.”

Kage gave me a rueful half smile. “Kind? Maybe. Or selfish. But I’ve come to realize that a life of lies will poison everyone who tastes of it.” His gaze drifted towards the ballroom windows. “I’ll go and speak to my grandmother now.”

“Good luck,” I said and meant it.

Kage disappeared back into the refectory.

Wolves who break their word deserve neither mercy nor luck.

Please, I said. Stop that. I know you won’t hurt him. He’s not our enemy. Besides, I’m relieved. Truly, I am. I never wanted this.

A grudging pause. That does not absolve him.

Very well. But he set me free. So forgive me if I’m grateful.

I stifled a yawn, then realized something. This means I can go home. I don’t have to be here. I can proofread my essay for Professor Allenvale. I started to smile.

The little scholar is nothing if not predictable. Nyxaris sounded amused, but I didn’t care.

I hurried back into the ballroom, careful not to make eye contact with anyone in Kage’s family.

“Florence.” It was Medra.

I sighed in relief. “I need to talk to you.”

“And I need to talk to you.” She glanced across the room, then lowered her voice. “Kage just came back in. He went straight over to his grandmother. She does not look happy.”

I held up a hand to shield my face. “Don’t tell me. I don’t want to know. You know I don’t like drama, Medra.”

She looked amused. “Is this drama? What’s happening exactly?”

I nibbled my lip. “Kage and I have ended our engagement. I mean, he mostly ended it. But I agreed.”

My friend’s eyes widened. “Well, that was fast.”

“You don’t sound surprised,” I said indignantly. “Why? You didn’t think I could do this?”

She sighed. “Sustain a relationship with a highblood you have absolutely no romantic feelings for in an effort to gain some sort of shield from Viktor Drakharrow? No, Florence, I was pretty sure you wouldn’t be able to do it. In fact, I expected you to end things. If not tonight, then soon.”

“But you let me go through with all of this. Why, you dressed me and did my hair,” I hissed.

She smiled gently. “Would you really have listened to me if I told you I thought it was a terrible idea? If I tried to convince you not to do it? When you came back after that meeting with Lady Avari, your mind was already made up. Why? Because Nyxaris had told you this was the answer. You respect him, you listen to him. And I understand and respect that. After all, he’s very wise.”

I suppose you can hear Medra singing your praises, I grumbled to Nyxaris.

Indeed, quite gratifying. As well she should. I was nothing but gracious to her.

I snorted.