I gritted my teeth.
Why in the deep, dark, wandering hell did he have to be a chatty, overly friendly drunk? There was no gods-damned way I was taking a bath or changing my clothes here. This costume was the only thing keeping him, and others, from recognizing me.
A minute later, Melaena glided over and smiled at Asher. “A truly marvelous evening, Asher, but I must get my dancers home soon.”
He brightened and told her his plan and that we had all agreed.
Her eyes darted to me. “All of you wish to stay?”
I tried to silently signal her with my eyes that I hadnot.
She gestured to me. “I’ll just take this one back. I need her assistance at the club.”
Asher pouted, throwing his arm around my shoulders. “But she’s promised me a dance, and I intend to collect.”
Melaena’s eyes widened the slightest bit. Tullia looked confused, while a few of the other dancers—the ones I didn’t know very well—scowled at me.
My stomach hollowed out. Gods, he made it sound more salacious than I meant it.
Melaena cleared her throat delicately. “Very well.” She glanced at me. “A word.”
I rose and followed her to an empty corner of the room. No one gave us a second glance as some guests had departed already and others were indisposed in alcoves.
“What is going on, Kiera?” she whispered through a tight smile.
I turned my back to the room, unable to keep my expression relaxed. “We were successful, but I still need to get the chain back around his neck, which is more complicated than taking it. A private dance will help. Otherwise, one of the women will notice my fumbling.”
“I understand.” She sighed. “I’ll leave the back door ofThe Silk Danceropen for you. Will you be able to sneak out of here and get to the club unseen?”
“I’ll manage. The Wolves rarely come through this quarter, so I shouldn’t run into any trouble.”
Melaena nodded. “Very well. But be careful. Asher is... not a bad man. He’s used to getting his way, but he won’t force you. Just don’t make promises you can’t keep.”
I suppressed a shiver, the heat of Aiden’s kiss still lingering on my lips. “I won’t.”
“Wake me when you get back, and I’ll take you to Aiden.” She stepped forward as if to embrace me, then remembered our painted skin. Instead, she squeezed my hand with an encouraging smile.
We headed back to Asher, and Melaena said her goodbyes.
Once she was gone, Asher clapped his hands. “I think it’s time we also settled down for the night, yes?”
Everyone eagerly agreed. We flocked out of the ballroom and followed Asher upstairs.
“A few of you may use this bath,” he said, pointing to the room we’d used to get ready. “The bedrooms and additional bathrooms are down this hall.” He waved his arm at the glossy wooden doors lining the dim hall.
Amid sighs of gratitude that escalated to squeals of excitement as the dancers opened every door, Asher extended his arm to me, swaying a bit. “Come with me?”
I swallowed, my throat dry as parchment, and threaded my arm through his. We walked to the end of the hall and turned left, traipsing another hall that lined the back of the mansion.
He stopped in front of a set of gold-tipped doors painted with his insignia. His bed chamber.
My heart tapped against my breastbone like a caged bird as he flung the doors open.
A fire burned merrily in a hearth larger than the room I shared with Ruru. It cast a warm glow over a bed chamber the size of a small house. An enormous bed with four wooden spires and lush violet curtains was wedged into a corner near a floor-to-ceiling window. Another set of double doors was carved intothe glass, leading out to a wide balcony that overlooked more gardens at the back of the mansion. I could almost see beyond the city wall from here.
Aware of him staring at me, I thanked the gods my mask hid half of my expression. “It’s beautiful, Asher.”
He shrugged, a loose grin on his handsome face. “It is. But you are more so.”
