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Lio lifted Cassia up onto his horse. She tucked her dangling feet close to the giant creature’s sides, wrapping her fingers in its long, flowing mane. It stood steady beneath her, not so much as twitching its feathered feet.
“Who is this noble beast aiding you in my capture?” Cassia asked.
Lio chuckled. “Moonflower.”
She patted Moonflower’s neck. “What a fine name for a Hesperine horse! Has Lio told you how much I love moonflowers?”
“He is a very fine horse.” Lio gave Moonflower’s nose an affectionate pat. “Aunt Lyta bred him for me from Prometheus’s familiar.”
“That does not surprise me. How else could she get a horse tall enough for you?”
Lio swung up behind her, and Cassia leaned back against him, relishing the strength of his body against hers, chest to back, thigh to thigh. She felt him flex his knees. His horse walked forward, and the crowd parted to let them through.
“We’ll see you at the dance!” Nodora said as they passed.
“If they make it.” Mak snickered.
Lio leaned down and took a playful swing at his cousin, which Mak dodged without effort.
“I’ll make sure my lady arrives on time to her first Grace Dance so she can enjoy it to the fullest,” Lio said indignantly, but he grinned. “We just have a stop to make first.”
“Better make it a few stops,” Lyros called after them. “You’ve been starving all week.”
Cassia spoke quietly to Lio. “As if we didn’t make plenty of ‘stops’ last night, as soon as I got out of the Healing Sanctuary. I wasn’t about to let you come to Grace Dance on an empty stomach.”
He nibbled her collar. “After last night, I can definitely enjoy our first Grace Dance to the fullest, too.”
They rode through the music and light, the swelling crowd, and the fragrance of sea and roses, past the train of Hespera’s hair.
“Where are we headed?” Cassia asked.
“Well, would you mind going home for a few minutes? Zoe said she wanted to see us on my horse in our festival attire.”
“Of course I don’t mind. She must be anxious about us not being home much tonight, especially after I’ve been at the Healing Sanctuary all week.”
“Thank you, Cassia.” He nuzzled her shoulder. “Bosko and Thenie are spending the night at House Komnena, so I think Zoe won’t worry if we take the scenic way.”
Lio’s horse carried them at a leisurely pace along the full length of the docks. When Cassia spotted Lord Adrogan under a lamppost, she tensed. But all his attention was on the Imperial beauty before him. He gestured to his arm, speaking with great animation.
Cassia raised her eyebrows. “Is he allowed to be speaking with her?”
“The Empress has graciously agreed that for tonight only, she will not object to her people and Tenebrans attending the same festival. Apparently Harkhuf put in a good word for us after we proved ourselves against the Collector.”
“I’ll have to thank him.”
“Why is Lord Adrogan still wearing his sling?” Lio asked. “Queen Soteira healed everyone.”
Cassia snorted. “Bragging rights.”
The Imperial guest did not look impressed. As Cassia and Lio rode past, she glanced at them, but Lord Adrogan did not.
Lio spoke close to Cassia’s ear. “It’s very easy to deflect unwanted attention in a crowd like this. So many relaxed minds and interesting distractions.”
“I hate pretending, even for one more night.”
“The embassy is leaving tomorrow. We’re almost done.”
“But they leave without knowing I return your love.”
