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She again broke into laughter at something Cyrus said. “It is almost as if I never knew her at all.”

SCARLETT

Scarlett’s heart felt relatively light for the first time in days as Cyrus spun her to a song on the dance floor, despite her encounter with Mikale earlier that evening. She had been delightfully surprised by Cyrus's dancing skills. She had seen Sorin milling about with his people. Cyrus had told her he would likely be kept busy by them all evening, especially since he had been gone for the last three years. Cyrus had kept close though, making sure she was never left alone amongst people she didn’t know. Eliza and Rayner had joined them for food a while ago,and Scarlett had almost not recognized the female without her fighting leathers.

The song was just coming to an end when a voice from behind her made her freeze in Cyrus's arms. “May I have your next dance?”

Cyrus's eyes were on her with a question, and she closed her own for just a moment, breathing deep. Then she put a smile on her face and turned to face Callan. “Of course, Prince,” she replied. Cyrus's hand tightened on her own, and she squeezed it back, conveying she was fine.

“I will get us drinks,” he said.

“I will find you in a moment,” Scarlett answered.

The next song started up, and Callan held out his hand to her. She tentatively took it and braced herself for the memories that were going to drag her under. All of it was familiar as he began leading her through the steps—her hand in his hand, his hand on her waist, the flow of their steps together, the look in his eyes. After a few beats of silence, he said softly, “I did not know if you would say yes.”

“It would be foolish to refuse an invitation from a prince, would it not?” she asked with a tilt of her head.

Callan’s eyes narrowed slightly at the words, the same words she’d said to him two years ago. “You look beautiful tonight.”

“Thank you.”

“That is it? No other remarks?”

“About how I look this evening? What would you like me to say?”

“We used to talk, you know. We used to have real conversations.”

“What would you like to discuss?”

She watched as frustration darkened his eyes. “Do you think we will be able to return home soon?”

She stumbled at his words, but he held her up, pulling her a little closer to him. “I do not think it would be safe for you to return to Baylorin until we have figured out Mikale’s plans. He could very well use you to get to me.”

“You will not return home?”

“Of course I will return,” she snapped.

Relief flashed across his face. “If Mikale is the problem, Scarlett,” he said slowly, “we can rectify that simply enough. My offer from the garden still holds.”

Scarlett blinked at him. Gods, it was hot in here. Her mask was so godsdamned hot. She struggled to keep her breathing even, and her shadows darkened slightly around her. “Callan,” she started as evenly as she could, “if you knew all that I am, you would rescind that offer in a heartbeat.”

“You have not given me the chance to know all that you are,” he retorted. As if realizing his sharp tone, he took a breath and continued more gently. “I thought you had, but watching you here, interacting with Sorin and his Court, it has only made me love you more. It has only made me wish you could be that carefree and relaxed with me.”

“That is just it, Callan. I cannot. You live in a world of formality and royalty.”

“And this world is not the same? Sorin is as much of a prince as I am. More so even,” Callan replied. “You once told me you do not wish to be chained to a throne. Would staying here not be the same?”

“You do not know everything, Callan,” she replied softly, searching his eyes. She shoved her temper down. She would not get upset with him. Not tonight, in front of all of Sorin’s guests.

“Because you refuse to tell meanything.”

“I am telling you as much as I can.” Smoke curled in her mouth, and her shadows crept down her arms. She glanced around, noting Cyrus on the edge of the crowd, drinks in hand. He was visiting with another male, but his eyes were on her.

“Why does Mikale desire you so badly? Simply because you are Fae?”

“Yes and no,” she replied softly. The fire in her veins turned to ice. She saw Callan glance at her hand which must have turned ice cold as well. The temperature had dropped in the hall, and Scarlett struggled to control the stream of emotions that were imploding on her.

“Why can you not just give me a straight answer?”