He stepped into a tiny clearing amidst a ring of trees, flurries tumbling around him, then closed his eyes and brought his palms together at his chest.
Kosera crossed his arms and cocked his head while Mireille said a silent prayer.
Ronin’s eyes popped open, and he launched into the most ridiculous, unhinged dance routine she’d ever seen.
He swirled his arms, kicking his legs up and throwing flakes through the air. He leapt and crouched, slamming his massive hand into the snow.
At one point, he circled his arms above his head and fluttered his feet, moving sideways with his gaze glued to Kosera. Thankfully, he didn’t turn to Mireille or she might have burst out laughing.
He spun and jumped and lunged, limbs flailing. Mireille had no idea what music he heard in his head. She struggled to find any discernible beat. But his movements were graceful and confident, despite the fact that he obviously had no idea what the fuck he was doing.
He skipped to the back of the clearing, took a deep breath, then raised onto his tiptoes—a feat in itself in his unlaced boots. Waving his arms in front of his chest, he ran forward, then leaptinto the air, legs split, and landed in a crouch with his head bowed, breathing heavily.
Mireille jolted as a sharp clap echoed through the clearing. Kosera mashed his palms together as Ronin rose, wiping his hands on his pants.
“That was the worst dancing I’ve ever seen,” Kosera said. “Don’t quit your day job, Butcher.”
Ronin’s face fell, and the look of false dejection he aimed at Mireille had her choking down laughter. “I thought you said I was getting better.”
Mireille turned to Kosera. “Now you see why he needs the practice. Leave us, please. I’m sure you could tell how nervous he gets in front of an audience.”
Kosera threw his hands up and turned away, shaking his head and muttering obscenities as he stalked out of the clearing.
Mireille approached Ronin, waiting until Kosera was out of view and earshot, then doubled over in the most belly-clenching laughter she’d experienced in decades. Centuries, maybe.
Once her hilarity subsided, she glanced up at Ronin, who had the biggest, goofiest grin on his face. It was somehow even more devastating than his sly, charming ones.
“You are a fucking idiot.”
He shrugged. “It worked, didn’t it?”
“Was that the?—”
“Dying cows from your dumb ballet? Yes.” He rolled his sleeves down and she handed him his jacket.
She snickered. “Honestly, you weren’t half bad. I might be able to find a part for you next season if you’re interested.”
They continued to stare at each other, something charged passing between them before Ronin looked away and dragged a hand through his hair to brush away the flakes.
“Don’t fucking do that again,” he snapped.
“Dowhat?” Her indignation instantly resurfaced.
“Run away from me. Make decisions without discussing them with me. We’repartners, Mireille. We need to be able to trust each other or we’re never going to get through this.” She sighed, and he gripped her chin, tilting her face up and forcing her to look at him. “I mean it. If we disagree about something, we talk it out.Workit out. I’m seeing this through to the end.”
Mireille scoffed. “Because you want to get your wolf back.”
She tried to pull away, but he held firm. “Yes, that’s certainly a very motivating reason.” His eyes softened. “But it’s not the only reason. Nor the most important. I’m supposed toprotectyou. But I can’t do that if you don’t talk to me. You’re way fucking smarter than me. If anyone is going to figure all this out, it’s you.”
She wanted to throw his statement back at him. Protest that he was taking advantage of her. Letting her do all the work while he sat back and did nothing.
But even as the words rose to her tongue, they fizzled. Hehadmade several breakthroughs down in Kheimos. Not to mention the quick thinking he’d just demonstrated with Kosera and his willingness to make an utter fool of himself to cover for her.
“Okay,” she breathed out.
Ronin cocked his head, an incredulous look passing over his handsome face. “That’s it? Okay? You’re not going to fight me on this?”
“I… I suppose I can admit when I’m wrong,” she bit out through clenched teeth.
