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“Well, dogs, actually. In all fairness, he tried to set me at ease by talking about puppies.”
“I can do better. Shall I get you a female liegehound as a wedding present?”
“Oh, Lio, would you consider it? I confess, I’ve been wanting to talk with you about it, but…they will make a terrible mess in the residence, I’m afraid. Are you sure you wouldn’t object to me breeding Knight?”
His laughter was so full of affection it warmed her from head to toe. “You know I wouldn’t object to anything that lights you up this way.”
“Even multiplying my smelly dog?”
“Multiplying your happiness,” he said.
“I love you so much.”
“I love you, too.” He spun her, and her awareness of him behind her sent gooseflesh over her skin.
Lio’s immortal grace turned the decorous dance into something sensual. His magic filled the space between their bodies, making him feel big and powerful and close. Each time he wove past her, he pushed the boundary of how near the steps should bring him. Every chaste touch of his hand felt charged.
“How does it feel to dance these steps with me?” he asked.
“Effortless,” she answered. “Life-changing.”
“I don’t want this to feel like a claim.”
“It doesn’t,” she realized. “With you, it feels like…a promise.”
“It is, Cassia. Whatever unknown steps we take into the future, we take them together.”
A horn trilled, reminding her the rest of the world existed. It was time for her to dance with the other men, a symbol that they admitted defeat in pursuit of her.
Her first dancing partner held out his hand—Flavian. Lio hesitated an instant, a warning in his gaze. Flavian’s mouth tilted in a humorless smile, and he offered Lio a slight bow, as if to say he wouldn’t try anything. Cassia let him take her hand lightly.
At last, they repeated the steps of the Autumn Greeting, untying the betrothal that had entangled her all these months. Flavian danced stiffly, and Cassia was tempted to make a cutting remark about sore ribs, but decided his pride was already hurting enough.
“All this time,” he said, “your plays didn’t make sense to me. I couldn’t understand your game. I was trying to explain it with politics, but none of the possibilities fit. It was him all along, wasn’t it?”
“Yes.”
“How long have you returned his affections, if I may ask?”
“Since the Equinox Summit.”
“Before I began courting you.”
“Did you think you and Sabina were the only ones having an affair?”
“Your sympathy for our cause does make more sense now.” Flavian winced as he lifted his arm to turn her. “I would have understood. Why didn’t you tell me?”
Cassia let out an incredulous laugh. “You were hardly understanding when you realized how Lio feels.”
“I thought it was one-sided.”
“Oh yes, you made that clear when you accused me of wrapping him around my finger.”
His wince became a grimace. “You’re so careful. I didn’t imagine you would let any man near your heart, much less a Hesperine. But if you have finally given someone your devotion, then it is true and real.”
“I have. It is.”
“Then I will show you and Lio the same consideration you have shown Sabina and me.”
