My eyes trailed Rush until he vanished through the doors. I couldn’t see the duke anymore.
One glass of champagne had been more than enough for me, and I chastised myself for not realizing what it would do to me. The floor had started to wobble beneath my feet.
I glanced around for Shep, who was now standing across the room, chatting with his mother and father and Headmaster Vaughan. He noticed me looking for him, and he excused himself, making his way toward me.
When he approached, I clung to him, thankful for his steadier presence at my side.
“Whoa, there,” he said, smiling at me. “You all right?”
“I’ve never had champagne,” I admitted. I’d only ever had wine once, at the midwinter meal.
He chuckled. “Then you might want to sit down for a bit. Eat something. It’ll help.”
I nodded and let him lead me toward a table, where he also delivered to me a crystal plate filled with chocolate-covered strawberries and crisp toast topped with a delicate white cheese and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar. There were candied nuts and thin slices of cured meats.
These weren’t even the meal, which was to be served later in the evening. I forced myself to eat slowly, to savor the flavors and textures, reminding myself this was all real and not a dream.
But on my second large strawberry, visions of my little sister’s face swam before me. She loved strawberries, but to us, they were a rare treat. We only ate a few from our garden, knowing they’d fetch a handsome price in the market. A basket of them could feed us for a week.
“What’s wrong?” Shep asked, brushing my arm with the back of his fingers.
I flinched a little at his touch, and he withdrew his hand. I wanted to tell him not to stop, that I desperately needed to feel like I was not alone, but I couldn't bring myself to admit that. Couldn’t let him know how much my heart ached.
“Excuse me,” I said to Shep, stepping away from the table. “I’ll be right back.”
I strode under the weeping greenery, out into the small atrium where a few guests made their way to and from the lavatories. I slowed my steps, listening for Rush’s voice. But I heard nothing. Then, as I turned toward the lavatory, I spotted him at the other end of the hall, charging back toward the party with heavy steps.
He wore a hardened expression that made him look almost frightening. His cheeks were flushed, and his hands hung in fists at his sides. When his eyes met mine, his fingers relaxed and his gaze softened. I stood still as he closed the distance between us, his shined shoes filling the hall with the echo of my heartbeat.
“Ari,” he said, a roughness to the edges of his voice. His eyes were wetter than normal, glistening in the glow of the gaslamps.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, keeping my voice low.
His eyes raked the hall behind me, then fell back to my face. “Nothing.”
“Liar.”
He huffed. “My father. When he arrived, he said if I lose tomorrow…” He paused, rubbed a hand down his face, and said, “He’ll pull me from Cardan Lott.” Without hesitation, Rush stepped forward, wrapped his arms around my back, and pressed my face into his fine white shirt.
His chest was warm, his heartbeat as fast as mine beneath his suit jacket.
He held me. And for a brief moment, I forgot about what lurked ahead of us tomorrow. At least if Rush lost, the consequences weren’t as severe as they’d be if he won, but I didn’t like the idea of continuing at Cardan Lott without him. At least, if I won, Fairfax would be pleased, and no dragon would have to die. I just had to find a ruby for Myth to swallow and hope my theory about them was right.
“My father is suspicious. He doesn’t believe that I helped you steal Myth solely because I hate him. It’s a weak lie, and he knows it. So I had to give him a good performance tonight with Scarlett. To make him believe I don’t care about you.”
Then I realized how foolish we were being, out here in the open, where anyone might find us. I stood straight. “I’m sorry. I’ll go.”
“Wait. Stay.”
“No, I should…”
He stared down at me. “It’s an act; you know that, right?”
“I’m not sure, Rush. You said yourself you’re a good actor.”
His arms around me were like the tethers that held me to the dragon saddles. Without them, I might fly away.
His eyes dropped to my mouth as he tugged me against him. “Here’s the lesson. Ready? Don’t miss it this time.”
