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And then there was the dance with Zaire.
“Sorry,” Amory whispered, “I tried to warn you.”
I looked into her eyes and smiled, trying not to pay the dance floor any attention. “Though I am more used to being on the other end of such ploys, court games are court games.”
“You need a drink?” Malachi asked from the other side of Amory.
My eyes went to Zaire and Esta. It looked like Zaire was either whispering in her ear, or kissing Esta on the cheek. Or both. “Not yet.”
I, of course, felt that flare of jealousy which begged my magic to rise. I didn’t allow it to. If I were able to look at them without these feelings threatening to consume me, I could see what a strong couple they were. What a striking couple they were. The dragon queen and her drake. They would keep the dragon bloodline strong, their heirs guaranteed to be powerful.
If Zaire was more of a man of character, it pained me to consider that the logical choice here would be to bow out. I should bow out. And yet it was Zaire. Amory had phrased it that he sniffed out Esta’s weaknesses. Considering what I overheard him say about Serkan, it appeared he did that for everyone but himself. Because if he truly did that himself, he’d be less likely to point out another’s.
“You two should go dance,” I offered as more people spilled onto the floor to join them.
“We will, but first I’d like to dance with you,” Amory said with a smile.
“Okay?”
She leaned over to whisper, “If Zaire is proving a point, so can I.”
“Which is?” I whispered back. I had no idea when I had become this close to Malachi and Amory. Here we were conspiring and whispering together. If it all went to hell and I went home to Wylan with my tail between my legs, I was going to miss more than just Esta. I’d miss these two like hell.
She stood and reached a hand down for me. “That things aren’t how they were. Can never be. Because you’re here. And we need you.”
“If you start a brawl on the dance floor,” I joked gently, if only to avoid thinking about how deeply her words affected me. I might not ever be welcomed in Dra Skor by many, but to a few I was. And that mattered. More than I ever thought it would.
Malachi grinned at me and finished, “If she starts a brawl on the dance floor, trust me when I say from personal experience, she has a mean right hook.”
She gave a shrug which showed no remorse. “He isn’t wrong.”
I laughed. “Let’s go then.”
She leaned in as we found an open area to begin. “Do not go easy on me. This is your chance to do your princely duties and sweep me off my feet.”
My eyes darted to Esta and Zaire despite my best attempt not to. “Here I thought I was the villain.”
“Isn’t there a villain in each of us?” She gave a sad sigh before adding, “More in some of us than others, apparently.”
“Well, the real villain to Dra Skor will likely not unmask themselves this night, so shall we dance?”
“Make it flashy,” she demanded as we began sweeping around the floor.
By the end I was almost panting and hot from my jacket, thankful for not having to wear a heavy vest and for those two open buttons of my collar.
As we pulled apart laughing, a small group of people even clapped for us. I gestured back in the direction of Malachi, ready to deliver her back to her seat. I noticed that Esta and Zaire were no longer on the dance floor and tried to remind myself that it wasn’t my business.
“Well done,” Malachi smiled as we returned. He had a hand draped across the back of Amory’s chair, and she either didn’t notice it or didn’t care as she sat back down.
The next dance was halfway through when I heard Dex whisper my name behind me. I rose to speak to him, knowing if he came to get me, there must be something important he needed to say.
“There is talk, My Prince,” he immediately blurted out.
That was not exactly what I wanted to hear. Of Esta? Of what transpired just the night before? Had the servants found out and word began spreading? “Of?”
“Of your kidnapping.”
CHAPTER40
