Page 130 of House of Crimson Cloak and Silver Teeth

Are they friends? Have they danced together before? Of course they have. Garrett is nobility. They move in the same circles and probably grew up attending events like this together. The music swells and the dance reaches some kind of climax. Garrett dips her low and she completely trusts him not to drop her.

Something ugly and possessive curls in my chest.

This is his world. Not dark alleys, guild crypts and blood-soaked missions. Garrett belongs in silk, candlelight and music. The distance between us has never felt wider.

I should leave. This was a mistake. Coming here, watching this, torturing myself with the sight of him in a world I can never be part of.

But he needs to know his opponent is insanely dangerous. I need to get him to safety.

The song ends. Garrett's partner curtsies, still giggling, and clearly charmed. He whispers something that makes her blush before an Aldarelf claims her for the next dance.

I watch him move through three different partners. Each one beautiful and delighted to dance with the Commander of the Valorian. An uncomfortable feeling rumbles in my chest. But I can’t look away.

Wait, wait—

Fuck, no. This can’t be. My heart stops.

His next partner is Queen Rhianelle Wiolant.

She’s wearing a gown of pale blue that brings out the silver in her hair. The dress is elaborate, befitting a queen. A small circlet rests on her head.

Surely she wouldn’t strike in public. But I’ve felt what protects her. That presence doesn’t need witnesses to be absent. It could end him between one breath and the next.

Rhianelle is smiling up at Garrett as they dance, saying something that makes him throw his head back and laugh. I was in her garden hours ago, crouched in that tree with a blade in my hand, seconds away from driving it into her skull.

I look at the queen and I still doubt she is someone who could order Damnation and watch an entire house burn. But I can’t say the same about her dark patron. It was prepared to tear me apart.

The sight of them together sends ice through my veins.

What the fuck are they doing?

They’re dancing like there isn’t an Archon challenge hanging over both their heads.

But I have to admit. They look good together. The thought makes me sick. My hands clench at my sides. I force them to relax before someone notices.

They’re talking. I can see Garrett lean in to hear something she says over the music. He nods and responds.

Finally, the dance ends and Garrett bows to the Queen with courtly grace. She curtsies in return, her blue dress pooling around her. They exchange a few more words. I’m too far away to hear over the music and conversation.

Garrett steps back and Rhianelle is claimed by another partner. He stands alone for a moment, searching the crowd. His eyes find me. Even across the crowded ballroom with my face bare, he knows me immediately.

His whole face lights up and I feel like I’ve been punched in the fucking guts. He starts moving through the crowd toward me, excusing himself past dancing couples and groups of nobles. His red cape flows behind him. Several people try to stop him, to engage him in conversation, but he waves them off politely without breaking stride.

Holy fuck, he’s coming straight for me.

I could still run and disappear before he reaches me.

My muscles tense, ready to bolt. Kitty’s advice rings in my ear. Be brave, Wolf.

He stops just out of reach. “You came.”

I nod.

“I didn’t think you would,” he says carefully. He knows me well enough to recognize I’m one wrong word away from running.

A smile tugs at his lips.

He looks happy to see me, as if my presence here matters more than all the nobles around us.