Chapter 24
FLORENCE
Kage’s palm settled on the small of my back as the waltz began. The contact was perfectly respectable. Two layers of satin separated us. I could hardly feel the warmth of his hand.
Your heartbeat has risen. Is the wolf touching you? Nyxaris’s voice coiled through my mind, a low rumble.
Has it? I was surprised. We’re dancing, but I feel quite calm.
Hmm. Nyxaris sounded suspicious. A strange human custom. He should not be permitted to touch you until the wedding night.
The wedding night? I choked. That seems a little … extreme. And far-off.
Precisely, Nyxaris agreed. It may never come to pass.
Kage moved through the steps of the dance with crisp efficiency …
and not an ounce of heat. His steps were sure.
He danced gracefully. But as he held me in his arms, there was nothing pulling us closer.
No sense of passion or urgency. Not like there was when I so much as brushed a hand over Nyxaris’s scales or slid my hips along his back. My pulse sped up as I thought about it.
What is happening? If the wolf dares do more than dance with you, I swear I will shred his intestines.
I cleared my throat hastily, shifting a little.
“Sorry.” Kage misread the gesture. “Too tight?”
“No, it’s fine. My slippers are hurting,” I lied awkwardly.
He nodded, his expression polite but distant. We’d tried to keep up polite small talk all through dinner. But now I got the impression that he was tired. If he noticed my pulse was beating a little faster all of a sudden, he gave no sign of it.
Round and round we went, turning in meaningless circles while the sea of bored highbloods watched.
Did they approve of this, a blightborn girl in one of their most favored son’s arms?
Perhaps what they approved of was keeping Nyxaris within highblood control; that was something everyone could get on board with.
The waltz finally ended, and I couldn’t help it: I breathed a sigh of relief.
Kage looked amused. He released me and bowed.
I awkwardly curtsied. Relieved to get away, I moved over to the refreshment table that had been set up along one wall.
Fortunately, the servants had set out some punch and lemonade alongside the vats of bloodwine and champagne.
I took a sip of lemonade—and then nearly choked.
Kage was dancing again, and this time, Regan was in his arms.
The young headmistress’s black and scarlet gown glittered like embers. Kage had both hands wrapped around her waist in a way that seemed overtly possessive, even to a novice like me. He leaned in close to murmur something in her ear.
I turned away quickly, deciding this form of eavesdropping wasn’t for me.
Kage and I might have been engaged, but he wasn’t bound to me, not truly.
Of course he would still take lovers. I lifted my chin.
And so might I. I took another sip of lemonade, walking around the ballroom slowly, and then nearly choked a second time when a finger tapped me on the shoulder.
“Florence? I was hoping we could talk.”
I turned around to see my fiancé.
Kage looked uncomfortable, which was unusual for him. “Would you mind joining me on the terrace for a moment? There’s something I’d like to discuss with you in private.”
Could he not have spoken with you while you danced? Why is he here again? The wolf reeks of guilt, Nyxaris muttered.
Hush, I rebuked him. But he had a point. Kage was looking a little, well, cagey.
I followed him onto the terrace. No one else was out there: The spring night was too chilly to linger outside.
Kage walked up to the railing, then turned to me. “I won’t keep you long. Florence, this engagement—”
The traitorous bastard, Nyxaris growled without warning. I shall snap the pup’s neck.
There was only one thing that could make Nyxaris react in such a way. Instead of shock, I felt a flood of relief. I knew exactly what Kage was about to say.
“You wish to end our engagement,” I interrupted.
He blinked. “I do. Does that mean … you agree?”
“I agree that it was a mistake. I never wished to tie you to me like this, even for my own protection.”
“And I would not have you tied to me,” he said quietly.“I’ve been rehearsing apologies all evening. None of them seemed adequate.”
Because they are inadequate. He is a coward and a traitor.
Nyxaris, behave, I warned.
I am behaving. Do you see me in the skies? No. Because I have not roasted him yet.
Nyxaris, I hissed. Hush.
He is a spineless pup, Nyxaris grumbled. And I was a fool to entrust you to his care.
I tried to shut him out. “So we’re free, then?” I said hastily to Kage. “You’ll speak to your grandmother?”
He nodded. “At once.”
“I hope it goes well.”
He smiled slightly. “It won’t. But before I go, please know that I won’t leave you unprotected. We may be ending our engagement, but House Avari will continue to stand between you and Viktor Drakharrow. I give you my word on that.”
I could feel Nyxaris’s temper flare. His word? Did he not give you his word when you became betrothed? I scoff at his word. His word means nothing. I shall protect you. It was idiocy to trust a highblood. We will no longer count on this silver wolf cub.
“Thank you,” I said, ignoring Nyxaris. “That’s generous. And very kind of you.”
Kage gave me a rueful half smile. “Kind? Maybe. Or selfish. But I’ve come to realize that a life of lies will poison everyone who tastes of it.” His gaze drifted towards the ballroom windows. “I’ll go and speak to my grandmother now.”
“Good luck,” I said and meant it.
Kage disappeared back into the refectory.
Wolves who break their word deserve neither mercy nor luck.
Please, I said. Stop that. I know you won’t hurt him. He’s not our enemy. Besides, I’m relieved. Truly, I am. I never wanted this.
A grudging pause. That does not absolve him.
Very well. But he set me free. So forgive me if I’m grateful.
I stifled a yawn, then realized something. This means I can go home. I don’t have to be here. I can proofread my essay for Professor Allenvale. I started to smile.
The little scholar is nothing if not predictable. Nyxaris sounded amused, but I didn’t care.
I hurried back into the ballroom, careful not to make eye contact with anyone in Kage’s family.
“Florence.” It was Medra.
I sighed in relief. “I need to talk to you.”
“And I need to talk to you.” She glanced across the room, then lowered her voice. “Kage just came back in. He went straight over to his grandmother. She does not look happy.”
I held up a hand to shield my face. “Don’t tell me. I don’t want to know. You know I don’t like drama, Medra.”
She looked amused. “Is this drama? What’s happening exactly?”
I nibbled my lip. “Kage and I have ended our engagement. I mean, he mostly ended it. But I agreed.”
My friend’s eyes widened. “Well, that was fast.”
“You don’t sound surprised,” I said indignantly. “Why? You didn’t think I could do this?”
She sighed. “Sustain a relationship with a highblood you have absolutely no romantic feelings for in an effort to gain some sort of shield from Viktor Drakharrow? No, Florence, I was pretty sure you wouldn’t be able to do it. In fact, I expected you to end things. If not tonight, then soon.”
“But you let me go through with all of this. Why, you dressed me and did my hair,” I hissed.
She smiled gently. “Would you really have listened to me if I told you I thought it was a terrible idea? If I tried to convince you not to do it? When you came back after that meeting with Lady Avari, your mind was already made up. Why? Because Nyxaris had told you this was the answer. You respect him, you listen to him. And I understand and respect that. After all, he’s very wise. ”
I suppose you can hear Medra singing your praises, I grumbled to Nyxaris.
Indeed, quite gratifying. As well she should. I was nothing but gracious to her.
I snorted.
Medra laughed. “You’re talking to him now, aren’t you?”
“I told him what you said,” I admitted. “He’s very pleased.” I glanced around. “Can we leave now? In a few minutes everyone will know.”
“You mean Lady Avari will realize she just paid a fortune to host a ball for the most elite highbloods in Sangratha, only to be made a fool of by her grandson?” Medra whispered innocently.
“Yes.” I pulled her towards the door. “Goodness,” I said, raising my voice and hoping someone would overhear. “Will you look at that. I fear I’ve twisted my ankle. I simply must go to the infirmary. Please take me, Medra.”
She giggled. “I think you’re overdoing it slightly.”
“I doubt that. Please, can we go?” I begged.
We reached the door and were soon in the corridor. Fortunately, Regan’s goons were no longer guarding the entrance—not that they’d been doing a good job of that in the first place.
“Oh dear,” I said, smacking myself on the forehead. “I just realized I need a book from the library. I have to doublecheck one of my citations.”
“The library already, hmm? Good to see your heart isn’t too, too broken by Kage’s throwing you over,” Medra teased.
I grimaced. “I think I’ll be fine. You know, you said to try to feel something for him, but … I never really could.”
“Because he isn’t the one,” she said softly, touching my arm.
I almost told her then. But logic or fear held me back.
Blake suddenly appeared. “Are you all right?” He looked at me anxiously.
I blushed. “I’m fine. Really.”
He scowled suspiciously. “The whole room is talking about it. Apparently Kage has ended your engagement.”
“Yes, that’s right,” I confirmed.
“And Florence is absolutely fine with that,” Medra said, stepping up to Blake and putting a hand on his chest as his eyes narrowed.
“She is? Because if you tell me otherwise, Florence, I swear I’ll go back in that ballroom and pound the shit out of him.” Blake looked eager.
“That won’t be necessary,” I said hastily. “But thank you for the … very sweet offer.” He seemed disappointed.