“Yes.”
“It’s a mask, Svana,” he said. “All of it. The charm, the knowledge. It’s all part of the facade I created to coax unsuspecting women into my impish plans.”
I looked off, whispering,“I know you have a past.”
“Yes, a past,” he said. “But you are my present.”
“And am I your future?” I asked.
His eyes fixed on mine, somehow emphasized by their veil. “No one knows the future, Swan.” He lost a breath. “But if I had a say in it… If I had a say, I would pray for no other fate.”
I sighed longingly. Then gasped. “Blast. You conned me again! How do you do that? I am like clay at your mercy.”
He snickered. “It isn’t a con if I mean it,” he said.
“Do you?” I asked. “Do you mean it?”
“Yes.”
I smiled, softly.
“You look good in green. Like it was made for you. Impeccable fit. Would look better on my floor.”
“W-What?”
He flashed his teeth. “A joke, love.”
“I-I can’t concentrate on the steps,” I complained. “You keep distracting me with your flirting.”
His hand moved to my back, steadying. “My apologies, I’ll behave.”
“It’s not that,” I said. “It’s…” I swallowed. “I’m sorry. It’s this sea of obligation.” I gripped his hand a little tighter. “This room, my life–Elías has always described it as a game of chess. He’s always taught me to be cautious and to play the board. But I’m not in control. I’m playing anything. I’m a pawn.”
“We’re all pawns, on occasion,” he murmured.
“Maybe. But…” I exhaled. “If I asked you to remove me from the game, would you?” I asked. “Would you take me somewhere tonight, somewhere…not here? Somewhere we could be… alone. Entirely alone?” I met his eyes again.
“Yes.”
I straightened. “Do you promise?” I asked.
“Yes. I promise,” he said.
“C-Can you?” I checked around us. “Will anyone stop us? Will they see?”
“We’ll time it right,” he said. “No one will see us leave together, just to be. But are you? Are you sure?”
“Yes,” I said. My shoulders eased. “I’m certain.”
“Alright then.” He scanned the room. “At the end of this dance, they’ll bring in the next round of desserts. Some of the entertainers will shift. There will be a split in attention aspeople seek the food and everyone else socializes. Elías was onto something. It is a game, really. Part skill, part luck.”
“Are you sure you haven’t done this before?” I asked.
“I don’t remember saying that,” he said.
“I…” I huffed. “Are you going to save me or not?”
“I’m going to save you of course. I’m a gentleman like that. Where would you like to go?” he asked. “It makes a difference of the path we take.”
