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“So, do you?” The vampire was more relaxed than I’d ever seen him as well, sitting with his legs stretched out, his elbows slung over the armrests of his chair.

“Do I what?” Though my stomach bulged, I couldn’t resist taking another bite of buttery crust.

“Date?”

Flakey pastry sucked down my windpipe, and I coughed, quickly gulping a swig of ale. When I could breathe again, I said, “In the traditional sense? No. I’ve little time for such things.”

“What with all the thievery?”

“Exactly.” I nodded, ignoring the taunt in his tone. “And then there are my brothers.”

“Ah, yes. I’ve met them.”

“And you?” I dared to ask, already dreading the answer.

“Everywhere I went, females threw themselves at me. It was exhausting.”

I blinked, staring at Custodis’s blank expression. His bottom lip quivered, and his face spread into a broad smile. Even with the glamour disguising his features, the effect was breathtaking.

“Liar.” I kicked his foot, a strange warmth settling in my chest.

He cleared his throat. “There were social functions I would attend for political gain. Because of my station, I was not free to indulge in the company of just anyone. Those who stood at my side were selected carefully for who and what they represented.”

“Sounds romantic.” Not that I knew anything about romance, what with the few moments I managed to steal without my brothers around. “So you were never allowed to simply be yourself?”

“There were standards to uphold. Appearances to be kept.”

“Same.” I sighed.

At the vampire’s raised brow, I felt the need to explain. “I’m pretty sure my brothers still believe I’m a lily-white innocent.”

To Custodis’s credit, he didn’t even crack a smile. Point to the vampire.

His lack of response dared me to whisper, “That and there was the issue of my identity. The one plastered on wanted posters around the kingdom. Idris had placed a hefty sum on our heads. I had to be careful.”

He nodded his understanding, wisely keeping any disparaging comments to himself.

Another point to the vampire.

I’d almost dare to say we were getting along. For once.

I tilted my mug to my lips, polishing off the last of my ale as a thought occurred to me. “Know what? My brothers are miles away. And my identity is secure.” I tapped the crystal on my chest.

“True,” Custodis said slowly, his eyes strangely warm as they traveled over my glamoured face.

My heart pounded with the temptation of freedom. “I mean, look at us. Nobody knows who we are. For all they know, we are two dung dealers.”

Victor wrinkled his nose, then his eyes brightened with a kindred light. “You have a point. Tonight, we are peasants. Commoners.” For once, he didn’t say this with an edge of disgust.

“The most common of commoners,” I agreed, my voice rising with excitement.

His smoky gaze took on a calculating gleam. “The temple guardian likely isn’t going anywhere with the festival in full swing.”

“Nope.” I smacked the table. “Plenty of time. There’s no reason we cannot keep our senses open while having a bit of fun.” I mean, I had plotted to show Victor the better parts of Carcerem, after all.

“No reason at all.” He grinned.

“What do you say to being nobody with me? Just for a night.”