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She did not have the luxury of feeling this ill. Not here, now. The worst challenge awaited. The Fire Dance.
Kyria’s Autumn Greeting was for betrothal promises, Chera’s Spring Equinox dance for weddings. But Anthros’s summer Fire Dance was the dance all warriors looked forward to sharing with their wives.
The lords and ladies waited with bated breath while Flavian cut a direct path through the crowd toward Cassia. He held out his hand to her.
Knight bared his teeth. If he tried to bite Flavian, Cassia was not sure she would stop him. “We are not wed, my lord.”
“We missed our spring dance,” he replied. “Will you not make it up to me tonight?”
“I will dance with no one tonight.”
“I’m afraid I must insist on a dance to remind Ambassador Deukalion how things stand between us. He may not be here to see it, but he is sure to hear about it after twilight.”
Conniving coward! If he danced with her when Lio was powerless to stop him, it would only torture Lio more to hear about it after the fact. “I have made it clear that he does not deserve your ire. I will not participate in your petty taunts.”
“Perhaps I haven’t made myself clear. I am a man of my word—I will welcome a Hesperine delegation at the Full Council in honor of the treaty. But I am a man. I do not have to welcome Ambassador Deukalion.”
“You wouldn’t dare.”
“Oh, I assure you, I would. If you don’t open the Fire Dance with me, I will request that Orthros send a different ambassador.”
The world spun around Cassia. She couldn’t be separated from Lio. He would have to stay here in secret. And if he were discovered, the political consequences…
“I have a more competitive offer for you,” Solia said.
Cassia looked at her sister, startled.
“I will dance share the Fire Dance with you.” Coming from Solia, the invitation sounded more like a battle challenge. “In return, you will guarantee Ambassador Deukalion’s seat at the negotiations for the duration of the Full Council.”
Cassia could scarcely believe her ears. Solia was defending Lio? Was it a callous move, merely to protect Cassia from her Craving? Or dare she hope it meant Solia’s sympathy for Lio was growing?
Flavian’s brows rose. “You do realize what sort of gossip you will encourage tonight, once they realize who you are?”
Solia offered Flavian her hand. “Wouldn’t that gossip be of some use to you, as well?”
“I never turn down another useful card in my hand, and that is a valuable one indeed.” He took her hand.
The crowd gasped, and the minstrels’ drums, lutes, and horns filled the night with the traditional song. The beat pounded in Cassia’s head.
No, no. She mustn’t let this dance undo all the ground they’d gained from Hoyefe posing as a suitor. She couldn’t let this rumor reach Tendo’s ears in the Empire.
But Cassia let it happen. For her Grace.
Her sister and Flavian stood silhouetted against the bonfire. Then they began the ancient dance, twirling, clapping and leaping around the flames. The images swam before Cassia’s eyes, burned onto her vision.
Tuura took her arm. “I’d like to meet the Kyrian mages. Why don’t you introduce me, and we can sit with them for a little while?”
“That’s an order, Shadow,” Kella said.
“Will you keep an eye on Solia?” Cassia pleaded.
“If Flavian puts one finger in the wrong place, I’ll cut it off,” Kella promised.
“And I shall dance with Sunburn afterward,” Hoyefe assured her, “once for myself, and twice for Monsoon.”
Tuura guided Cassia to where the Kyrian mages sat at the edge of the festivities. The Semna, the retired Prisma of the Temple of Kyria, clasped Cassia’s hands. Her wizened face creased with delight under her white hood. “How we rejoice to see you returned from Orthros, my dear! You must tell me all about your progress guiding the Hesperines back to Kyria’s teachings.”
Cassia’s guilt twinged. The venerable mage was one of the few people in all of Tenebra with pure intentions and sincere faith. She did not deserve lies. But the Hesperines also did not deserve to be told they needed to change. Cassia dodged the question by introducing Tuura.
