At this, Kane slid his hand around my stomach, leaning into the Godsdamned rumors.
“Well, the lady is young,” Imperator Kormac called. “Such creatures are fickle. Perhaps she might still change her mind. She may also wish for a warmer climate in the end as well.”
“I can assure you she has adapted most wonderfully to the cold,” Imperator Hart said.
“I, myself, have always encouraged our young women to learn to think with their minds,” the Emperor said. “Perhaps, before I attend the nuptials, we shall allow the lady to be reminded of her options. And all jokes aside, however humorous they may be, we acknowledge that without my presence as a witness, no such marriage or activities to follow said ceremony, have occurred. Isn’t that right, Your Highness?”
My hair blew from the force of Devon Hart’s aura.
He bowed, and then stepped back, his hand on my shoulder, his fingers pressing down to my bone.
“Good,” said the Emperor. “And now, to celebrate the reason we are all here. To Asherah’s Feast Day!” He signaled to the musicians in the corner. “A Voladarim,” he commanded.
Everyone began to cheer, and my heart sank. It was a traditional Lumerian dance, one I’d trained in. One I never, ever would have worn this dress for. Voladarim meant the dance of flying bodies. The movements were full of bounces and lifts by the larger partner.
Imperator Kormac crossed the dance floor in an instant, his predatory eyes taking me in.
“You won’t mind,” he said, addressing Kane, “if the lady starts the dance with me. She is still free to take other dance partners, is she not?”
Kane growled under his breath, but with a clear and obvious nod from the Emperor, Kane released me.
“Lady Lyriana,” Imperator Kormac’s wolfish grin spread across his face. “You are familiar with the Voladarim, aren’t you?”
He knew Godsdamned well that I was. But I smiled sweetly. “I am, Your Highness. I was trained in all dances.”
“All dances?” he asked. “Ah, yes. Forgive me. It’s been some time since I’ve seen you perform. It’s been months since your journey from Bamaria began.” He gripped my waist, and took my hand, pulling me in. “Even longer since your last ball in the South.”
I nearly tripped over the hem of my gown, and immediately tugged the waist back up.
“I have been away for some time, Your Highness,” I said.
His nostrils flared. “And tell me, did you enjoy your journey?” He took my hand, forcing it onto his shoulder, over the golden border of his Imperator robes. Then he squeezed my waist again as the music grew louder, the beat signaling the steps.
“I’m grateful,” I said, performing the opening steps, “that it led me back to my sister.”
“Hmmm. Where else did it lead you?” Imperator Kormac took my wrist, and spun me out, before pulling me against him, lifting me, turning me, and dropping me back on my feet.
“Here,” I said. “Your Highness.”
“Yes, but how was it you arrived in Glemaria?”
My throat was dry. “We stayed very close to the shoreline in an attempt to avoid akadim, keeping east as we made our way to the North.”
“And there you found true love and passion with,” he smirked, “Arkturion Kane?”
I could feel Imperator Hart’s eyes boring into me from behind, commanding me to answer correctly.
“Yes.”
Without warning, Kormac spun me again, throwing me off balance until I crashed into him, more than aware that my dress had shifted and was showing even more cleavage than before. Even my hair falling down the center, covering the worst of Mercurial’s contract, was doing little to shield me. His eyes dipped, and before I could adjust the fabric, he tightened his hold on me, walking us in a circle.
“I do apologize,” I said, “if there was any insult felt by Ka Kormac by my choice. Lord Viktor, of course, is a strong match. But my heart does belong in the North.”
He sneered. “I’ll bet it does.” He turned, looking pointedly at Rhyan, who looked sick as he was dancing with Amalthea.
Rhyan’s eyes widened, then he spun Amalthea out of sight. Nearby, I saw Tristan leading Naria into the dance.
“Tell me more of your journey,” he said, and pulled me closer, his arms locked around my back.
