Lady Vivienne's smile turned knowing, and she opened her mouth to respond?—
But then the music shifted to something graceful and inviting, and the moment passed.
"Lady Brynn," Caelum appeared at her elbow. "Would you honor me with the first dance?"
She glanced toward Dante, who was still deep in conversation with the other Death Lords. His back was to her. She doubted it was an accident.
Fine.
"I would be delighted," she said, placing her hand on Caelum's offered arm and letting her voice carry just enough for Dante to hear if he was listening.
As Caelum led her onto the dance floor, she caught the exact moment Dante's conversation faltered. His shoulders went rigid, and she saw his head turn slightly. Not enough to look directly at her, but enough to track her movement across the terrace.
Enough to see her hand resting on Caelum's arm, her smile warm as the Lord of the Mourned said something charming.
Caelum was an elegant partner, leading her through the steps with grace while maintaining appropriate distance. Nothing scandalous, nothing that would cause talk. Just a Death Lord dancing with a visiting guest in courtly fashion.
But it was enough.
"You seem troubled tonight," Caelum observed as they moved through a turn that brought them momentarily closer together. His honey-brown eyes were concerned. "I hope everything is well in the Forsaken Court?"
"As well as can be expected," she replied, letting a note of weariness color her voice. A hint of vulnerability. "Though I confess, court politics can be exhausting when you're still learning the rules."
"I imagine they can be, particularly for someone still learning their place in a world that doesn't always welcome outsiders." His eyes were understanding and compassionate in a way that feltgenuine. Almost too genuine. Like he'd been waiting for exactly this opening. "It must be difficult, never quite sure where you stand."
"You're very perceptive," she said, letting herself sound grateful even as unease prickled at her neck. How did he know she wasn't sure where she stood?
"The offer of sanctuary in my realm still stands, you know." Caelum's voice was earnest. "Should you ever find yourself in need of a place where you're truly valued for who you are, not what you can do."
She let her hand tighten slightly on his shoulder. "That's incredibly generous of you. More generous than I probably deserve."
"Nonsense." Caelum's expression was sincere. "Someone with your gifts, your intelligence, your courage, your remarkable abilities, deserves to be treasured, not hidden away like a secret shame."
The words found their mark. But how had Caelum known where to aim?
She filed the question away and smiled.
As the dance ended, she let herself lean slightly closer to Caelum, her voice dropping. "Thank you. For the dance, and for understanding. It means more than you know."
When she turned from Caelum's arms, she found Lord Vex waiting with a casual bow and a smile that was all sharp edges beneath its beauty.
"Might I claim the next dance?" he asked, his gold eyes bright with interest and what might have been amusement. "I find myself quite curious about the woman who's caused such discussion among the courts."
Brynn hesitated.
Their last encounter flooded back. His hands on her shoulders, her jaw, his breath too close, his words crawling under her skin. The memory made her stomach clench with anger and fear.
But she refused to let him see her flinch. Not here. Not in front of everyone.
She glanced toward Dante.
He was standing with Aldric now, apparently deep in conversation. His expression was neutral, his posture controlled.
But his whole body had tensed when Vex approached. Wound tight. Ready to move.
He was watching.
Her pulse quickened at the intensity of his gaze.
