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Kaerius met her at the center of the hall, feeling that he had waited long enough. He took her hand and bowed over it, every line of his body elegant and sure. What did it matter that his feet were rubbed raw in these horrible boots? She thought him a false suitor, but he would make her understand that he meant every sign of devotion.

When he straightened, he drew her into the position for dancing. The music was only quiet background ambiance, not dancing music, but Kaerius neither knew nor cared. He wantedher; dancing was only a means to show her that fact.

He raised his eyebrows, a little smile playing over his lips.

The slightest flush pinked her cheeks, and she said, “It is early to dance.”

He took the first step, trying to remember what came next. He held her gaze. Perhaps it was early, but he wanted to make his intentions ridiculously obvious.

“Lord Hugh Ralph, of Boravia,” intoned the servant at the door.

Marin stepped out of the dance, and Kaerius turned with her to face the door, still holding her hand, until she drew it away. He let her go with an inward sigh.

The Boravian lord was quite a bit taller than Kaerius, nearly as tall as Brighton. His hair was dark and luscious, curling in little ringlets around his head and down to his shoulders. His eyes flashed beneath heavy brows. He strode forward without hesitation and bowed deeply before the princess.

“Your Royal Highness,” he said with impeccable courtesy. “It is an honor to see your beauty in person. I do hope to become better acquainted.” When he smiled, his eyes lit with something like warmth and desire.

Marin nodded and said, “I hope this evening is a pleasant beginning to our acquaintance.” Her smile was as sweet as ever, though her eyes were a little wary. “I ought to introduce you to Prince Kai, visiting from across the sea. He does not speak, so do not take his silence as discourtesy.”

Kaerius nodded with regal condescension.

The Boravian lord’s jaw tightened a little, and he said, “I hope I do not have competition for your hand tonight, Your Highness. I am sure you recognize what I can offer. Wealth. Power. Devotion.” He smiled slowly, as if teasing her. “Your Highness,” he said, turning his dark eyes to Kaerius in a brief scrutiny. “Might I ask how you came to be mute?”

You may ask, but you won’t understand the answer.

Lord Ralph studied him. “I am sure you have been met with utmost courtesy, Your Highness. Eleria is blessed with a most generous and compassionate princess.”

Indeed. Kaerius turned an admiring smile toward Marin.

Music rose around them, and Lord Ralph said smoothly, “Will you honor me with the first dance, Your Highness?”

Marin smiled regretfully. “I have already promised it to His Highness, but I will be delighted to honor you with the next, if that pleases you?”

It was obvious that this did not please Lord Ralph, but he merely smiled politely and stepped away, letting Marin turn to Kaerius with a smile.

Kaerius took her hand again and put his other hand on her waist. The warmth of her body through the fabric sent a thrill of desire through him, and it took no effort at all to ignore the pains in his feet. The steps came easily, for he had always been quick and graceful, and he remembered them nearly without error.

For several turns, they were alone in the center of the dance floor. Kaerius delighted in the knowledge that they were a striking couple: the pretty young princess with her sweet smiles and perceptive eyes, and the silent prince who was captivated by her. His hands were strong and gentle on her waist and in her hand, and she smiled at him as if she could not help it. Where her hand rested on his shoulder, his skin tingled and his muscles were tight and aware of her every subtle movement. His golden hair flowed over the collar of his coat, brighter and lovelier than that of any of her other suitors. He smiled without a trace of modesty or pretension, fully confident of his charm and utterly convinced of the rightness of his regard for her.

“Does your head hurt?” she asked.

He blinked, not sure what had prompted the question.

“Where Brighton hit you.”

He shook his head, not willing to let go of her hand to answer in more detail. Perhaps it hurt a little, but the ache was easily forgotten in the delight of her presence.

She said under her breath, “I will dance with Ralph next, and then several of my subjects. At some point, I will no longer be able to put him off, and I will dance with him a second time. You may ask me to dance after that, and then I will stay for only a little longer. If you can listen to him a little, find out what he is like, it would be helpful. Also, it would be very helpful if you can intercept him asking me to dance a third time; putting him off would be rude, but departing too quickly after our second dance as if I am fleeing would also be discourteous.”

Kaerius nodded his understanding of these whispered words. He spun her and caught her close again, willing her to see his love in his eyes.

When the music shifted to a new song, the other guests began to take their places. Marin turned away and let out a small, “Oh!”

“Your Highness,” said Lord Ralph’s deep, pleasant voice. “I did not mean to startle you. I did, however, want to claim the next dance, if you will do me the honor.”

“I would be delighted,” Marin said.

Kaerius watched Lord Ralph swirl away, and his nostrils flared with frustration. The foreign lord was tall, dark, handsome, polished, and graceful, and it made the prince itchy and annoyed to think of the lovely princess admiring Lord Ralph instead of him.