“Then why did you agree?” Noting she was hurrying to keep pace with my longer strides, I slowed down. “They want to embarrass me in front of your entire court.”
“Yes, they do.”
“And you’re just…fine with that?” Her free hand gestured wildly, nearly dislodging Quandary from her shoulder. “I thought we were in this together.”
I stopped and turned to face her. We stood in a quiet corridor now, sunlight streaming through high windows, highlighting her indignant face. Despite the dust in her hair and the smudge on her cheek, she looked like fire incarnate, both vibrant and fierce.
“Wearetogether in this,” I said. “Which is why I agreed to their demand.”
Her brow furrowed. “I don’t understand.”
“Let’s discuss it somewhere private.” I started walking again, this time toward her tower. “These walls listen. Our rooms and your tower are warded to keep anyone from hearing what we might say.”
She fell into step beside me, her silence tense but trusting.
Inside our chambers, we each bathed and changed our clothing.
Then we climbed the spiral staircase to her workshop. There, I closed the door and cast a small sound-dampening spell to ensure our privacy. Someone had accessed her tower. I didn’t want them finding a way to listen in.
Quandary flew from Cyrene’s shoulder to the windowsill, his scales glinting in the afternoon light.
“I don’t like this plan,” Cyrene said. “Your nobles and advisors are plotting something.”
“I agree.” I leaned against her workbench. “Which is why I’m going to teach you the dance. All of it, every intricate step.”
“But why would you agree to their demand if you’re going to help me succeed?” She perched on a stool, her skirts billowing around her.
My satisfied smile rose. “Because they don’t expect me to teach you. They expect me to protect you from embarrassment by finding a way out of the dance altogether. When we show up prepared, it will throw them off balance.”
Understanding dawned on her face. “They’re trying to force your hand.”
“Exactly. They think I’ll either refuse the dance, which will make our court believe our marriage is a sham, or subject you to humiliation, which would drive a wedge between us. Either way, their goal is to end the alliance, and they’ll succeed.”
Quandary flapped his wings.
“He says he’s going to find out what those sneaky bloodsuckers are really planning,” Cyrene said. She nodded his way. “Be careful.”
The small drake chirped before launching himself out the window, quickly disappearing from view.
Cyrene turned back to me, her eyes serious. “Is this dance difficult?”
“It’s complex. The Shadow Rite dates back centuries. It’s meant to symbolize the binding of two souls, two magics.” I pushed away from the workbench and crossed to her. “But it’s not impossible to learn.”
“In three days?” She was right to sound skeptical.
“It helps that you’re already graceful. And I’m an excellent teacher.”
A hint of pink colored her cheeks as she took my hand. “I’ve never been much of a dancer.”
“Neither was I until my mother insisted I learn.” I guided her to the center of the room where we had spaceto move. “She said a king who can’t dance is like a sword without an edge, functional but lacking finesse.”
That earned me a smile. “Your mother sounds wise.”
“She was.” I positioned her in front of me, far enough away that our bodies didn’t touch. “The dance begins with distance between the partners, symbolizing their separate lives.”
Cyrene’s expression tightened, and a spark of determination flared in her eyes. “Show me.”
As the late afternoon sun slanted through the windows, I guided her through the opening movements. The Shadow Rite was intricate, with precise footwork and hand positions that told the story of two lives intertwining.
