She pressed her lips together.
“Ravenna, what did you think?” He leaned forward, his lips a butterfly kiss against her hair. “Tell me.”
She pulled away far enough to tip her chin up so she could meethis gaze. Her amber eyes dared him to lie to her. “I thought you felt something for me.”
He continued leading her through the steps of the dance, his rhythm never faltering. Anyone looking at them would have seen an innocuous interaction; even Ravenna might have been fooled but for his hands flexing against hers.
A very,verybrief reaction. She had surprised him.
“And I thought you knew better.”
Ravenna tried to pull away, but Saturnino yanked her forward, spinning her in a tight circle. Her stomach somersaulted from the abrupt movement. It felt like he was trying to knock some sense into her, to remind her of where they were, ofwhothey were to each other. But she was past caring, her heart ticking hard against her ribs, fracturing with every strike. With honest bafflement she said, “I swear I do, it’s just…”
It couldn’tallbe a lie.
“You keep asking me to be something I’m not, but I have an ulterior motive for everything.” His voice was low, almost tired. “You of all people should know that kindness and survival don’t go hand in hand.”
“But—”
“Butnothing.” His hold on her tightened. “You give me far too much credit, Ravenna.”
“You’ve been kind to me.”
“Lapses in judgment, nothing more,” he replied coolly.
Ravenna mulled it over and decided she didn’t believe it. And suddenly, she wanted to prove it. “I don’t know this dance.”
He stared at her, brow puckering. “I’m aware.”
“But here you are,” Ravenna said, “making sure I don’t lose my way. What is your ulterior motive now?”
They reached the end of the line, the air between them crackling with tension. Saturnino raised his eyebrows and gestured for Ravenna to make a turn by herself. She snuck a glance at the lady ahead of her as she completed her spin and Ravenna imitated it. Then Saturninograsped her hand once more before leading her down the length of the line to begin the dance again.
Ravenna didn’t know how many more times she’d have to endure being spun by Saturnino; she was already dizzy from their conversation, from his intoxicating yuletide scent. He smelled like winter at its coldest and darkest. The way he gazed at her made her shiver.
Ravenna prayed the song would end.
“This isn’t a kindness,” Saturnino warned. “Take a look around, Ravenna. My family claimed you as their own: your company, your talent, your time. You belong to us until we say so. And furthermore, you and I made a bargain.”
She set her mouth in a mulish line. “I had little choice in the matter—”
“But youdid,” he countered. “I would keep my family from harming you, and in exchange, you’d provide me with information that I can use in my fight with our great enemy. Now, stop glowering at me and at leastpretendthat you’re enjoying my company. The family has situated you in a place of honor at our table in front of our peers, and you are dancing with the eldest son. They expect you to behave, Ravenna. So do it,for your life.”
A sense of dread made her movements sluggish. As if it mattered—Saturnino moved her across the floor with the aplomb of a puppet master. From the corner of her eye, Ravenna caught sight of Lorenzo’s handsome brother. He had the beautiful woman in his arms. He spun her in circles, and she giggled, her gold hair glimmering in the candlelight.
“They dance beautifully,” Ravenna said.
“Don’t change the subject.”
“Since you’re not going to be honest, I grew tired of it.”
“How have I not been honest?” Saturnino asked testily, his words still dipped in warning. He pulled her closer until the bodice of her gown brushed against his bloodred tunic. He angled his chin downward; his lips were inches from hers. She felt trapped in the circle ofhis arms, and her breath hitched in her throat. His dark eyes glimmered in the candlelight, a bottle green, its contents made of poison.
“I’ve said everything I want to,” Ravenna replied.
His voice had dropped to a menacing hush. “You’re playing a dangerous game with me, Ravenna. Stop it. I’m not innocent or caring, I’m not an untried youth, gullible and vulnerable. I’ve asked you a question. Have you received any messages?”
Ravenna licked her lips, nervous energy ticking up her spine. She cursed that wretched courier who hunted her down. If only she hadn’t been born with the ability to hold a flame in her hands. If only she had remained unnoticed, tucked safely in a quiet town, miles from Florence.
