Page 43 of Made

It would take a while to get used to seeing that smile on Esme’s face. It was open, sincere, hiding nothing.

“It’s good,” she replied.

We talked about food, clothes, and Yule decorations, but stopped statue-still when we heard the sounds of a full-blown, live stage band. Exchanging a look of disbelief, we walked a bit faster.

Yes. Indeed. For our dancing pleasure, John David had provided a thirty-piece ensemble. There were more musicians than the sum of guests and staff.

With a quiet laugh of disbelief, I said, “You gotta hand it to John David. He’ll spare no effort to show us a good time.”

“Oh no.”

“What’s the matter?”

“I’ve never asked Kagan if he can dance, but if I was a gambler…”

“You’d wager the answer is no.”

“Exactly.”

“You look worried. You don’t have to dance, you know.”

“I just don’t…”

“Want Kagan to feel embarrassed?” She nodded. “Like he’s letting you down?” She nodded again, glancing back at him in spite of herself.

“Esme!”

She almost jumped. “What?”

“I’ve had the most brilliant idea.” Knowing me as she did, she looked dubious. “Dimes to dollars that Kagan isn’t the only one who doesn’t know ballroom dancing.”

Looking at the faces entering the ballroom, she seemed to concur. “Why is that guess brilliant, Rita?”

“Get everyone in here. Hurry. Before people start to feel uncomfortable.”

When everyone was gathered, I noticed Evie wasn’t there. “Is Evie okay?” I asked Keir.

“She was feeling a little warm and decided to sit for a minute before coming up,” he said. “It was probably the red wine.”

Red wine? “She’s not supposed to be drinking alcohol!”

“Why not?” He looked confused.

“Because, you know. Pregnant?”

His brow smoothed. “Ah. Well. Pregnant humans can’t drink. But it would take a lot more than wine to hurt fae offspring.”

“You’re sure she’s okay.”

“Positive.”

I advanced to the middle of the room then waved at the conductor to stop the music. Gods bless him, he understood me and did.

“Okay, everybody. Listen up. If you know basic ballroom dancing, come stand with me. If you don’t, just stay where you are.” Keir, Esme, Fie, and John David came to stand by me. Everyone else stood in place, looking awkward and uneasy. “This is going to be fun. Keir and I will show you thirty seconds of how it looks. Then we’re going to teach you!” I could see by their faces that I might be losing them. “Don’t worry. It’s not hard. Promise.” I turned to the conductor. “Thirty seconds of slow foxtrot, maestro.”

He smiled. I supposed nobody had used the word “maestro” in fifty years. I imagined nobody had used their orchestra for dance lessons either. Everybody likes a change of pace, so to speak.

Keir danced me around the room until the music stopped. I knew that the brothers had different lives and different experiences. But Keir was a really good dancer, and Kagan didn’t know how to dance at all. Or at least that was what Esme suspected. I’d have to remember to ask my spouse where and how he’d acquired his mad skills.