“You’re not so bad at this,” I whisper.
His smile is all teeth and heat. “Wait ‘til I really try.”
I roll my eyes at him, a smile pulling at my lips. Looks like it’s not just Nolan I might be falling for. Because Raiden is not who I thought he was at first.
Raiden’s hand tightens slightly at my waist as we move, his smile easy and confident, but I feel the shift in him before he speaks.
“Looks like we’ve got company,” he says lightly, like it’s a joke.
But I already sensed it—that invisible pull, the feeling of beingseen. Not in a flattering way, but in a way that leaves nowhere to hide. I glance in the direction of the feeling, and just like that, I’m caught.
Kael stands at the edge of the courtyard, half in shadow, half in the soft golden light cast by the fae lamps strung overhead. His eyes are locked on me. Not angry or cold, just really intense.I shiver, and Raiden runs his hand down my back, waiting for my response.
I swallow and look back at him, forcing a smile. “No. I’m dancing withyouright now.”
His brow lifts slightly. “Sure. But you know the guy who got youthisdress is probably going to expect at least one dance.”
Those words shouldn’t hit me so hard because I already suspected it was Kael. Of course I did, even if I didn’t say it out loud. Who else would’ve had access to a gown woven with shadow and silk and magic I canfeelon my skin?
But hearing it from someone else, said out loud like it’s obvious, makes something twist in my chest. I glance over at him again.
Kael hasn’t moved. Not yet. But his gaze hasn’t shifted, either. It’s like the rest of the dance doesn’t exist for him.
I drag my attention back to Raiden. “Maybe I should’ve stayed in my combat clothing.”
“Tempting, and you look amazing in that, too,” he says with a grin, “but less dramatic on the dance floor.”
As if Kael was waiting for the perfect lull in the music, he moves toward us. One second, he’s on the very edge of the courtyard, the next, he’s stepping forward, people unconsciously shifting around him, parting without being asked. Shadows clinging to him as he moves.
He stops beside us, expression unreadable. “Mind if I cut in?”
Raiden gives me a questioning glance, but doesn’t let go. Not yet.
I tilt my head, meeting Kael’s gaze with a sweet and sarcastic smile. “Wow. Look who decided to rejoin the land of the visible.”
The faintest twitch pulls at his mouth—half smirk, half threat. “You say that like you missed me.”
“I didn’t say that,” I murmur, chin tilting up.
“No,” he says, low and amused. “But you were thinking it.”
He flashes a grin then—quick and wicked—and for the first time, I catch the edge of something sharp behind it. Fangs. Not long or monstrous, just…there. I’ve never noticed them before.
I blink, but don’t flinch. “You always smile like a predator?”
“Only when I want something.”
Raiden snorts softly beside me, still holding my hand. “Careful, flame girl. Sounds like you’ve got options.”
I glance between them; one warm and golden and steady, the other carved from midnight and secrets and temptation. Then I do what I probably shouldn’t.
I place my free hand in Kael’s. “Just one dance.”
His fingers curl around mine, cool and sure. “That’s all I need.”
And as he pulls me gently from Raiden’s hold, the air between us stretches tight, electric with things we haven’t said. I don’t know what Kael wants. But tonight, I might be reckless enough to find out.
Kael’s hand slides to my waist, the other curling around mine like this is some ancient rite instead of a school dance. His touch is steady. Precise. But there’s heat beneath it.
