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A blue-clad bulk loomed at his shoulder, and he glanced up to see Brighton standing just behind him. “You danced well,” the guard said. “You know what to do?”

The prince nodded grimly.Dance with the princess five or six times, at least.

“You might as well dance with a few others, to keep the ruse up. Start with Miss Kirsi over there, wearing the green dress.”Brighton waited until Kaerius nodded that he had identified her, and then said, “Then Miss Avaly, in pink to your left.”

Kaerius nodded again. It was logical to dance with others, even if he did not care for them.

He followed these instructions for the sake of the princess, not for the sake of this strange thing they called dancing. The fact that gravity limited the dancers to only horizontal movement still frustrated him. Nevertheless, it was surprisingly pleasant to spin the young ladies in such intricate patterns. He accepted their admiration and compliments on his dancing with roguish smiles, delighted with himself for his new skill and delighted with them for recognizing and enjoying it. His sparkling eyes and quick feet won him many admirers even in those two dances, and when he nodded politely in the human way to his second partner, she fluttered her eyelashes at him.

The music swirled around him, and he turned away from the young lady. She was not the princess he loved. He cast his gaze over the dancers, looking for Marin.

She was dancing with some other nobleman, one with whom she seemed friendly, for she was smiling up at him in a way that made Kaerius’s stomach turn. But he remembered how he had misunderstood her affection for Brighton, and he ruthlessly squashed his jealousy. This was likely some trusted ally from her own court.

A few feet to the prince’s left, Lord Ralph smiled at someone and then turned toward Kaerius.

“Your Highness,” he said, his dark eyes raking up and down the Mer prince again. “How long have you been in Eleria?”

Nearly two days now. I think it’s going quite well.Kaerius smiled at the Boravian lord and held his hands together in a simple sign indicating a small amount.

“What do you think of it so far?” Lord Ralph asked.

The prince chuckled softly.I haven’t seen much of the country, but I’ve been madly in love with the princess for quite some time. I hope you don’t plan on actually marrying her.He looked toward Marin and waited until Lord Ralph followed his gaze, then pointed at his own heart and pantomimed handing it to her.

“Imbecile,” muttered Lord Ralph. He raised his chin and looked down at Kaerius. “Surely you’re not here for love? I suppose she’s pretty enough, but Eleria is the prize. Pretending otherwise is foolish.”

So you’re blind as well as stupid. Yes, I love her, and I would love her just as much if she had no title at all.

The man’s eyes narrowed a fraction, and then his face smoothed. “I hate to be rude, Your Highness,” he said, “but I ought to inform you that I intend to win the princess’s hand in marriage.”

Kaerius raised his eyebrows with a scornful little smile.Good luck with your doomed quest then. We should all strive to reach our full potential. Unfortunately, I doubt your potential is anywhere near impressive enough to marry Her Highness.He knew Lord Ralph would not understand the words, but he would understand the disdain that dripped from Kaerius’s signs and the curl of his lip.

“I hesitate to imagine how infuriating you would be if you could talk.” Ralph smiled, though his eyes were cold and calculating. “How foolish to attempt to make such a match for love. I suppose we are rivals then.”

Kaerius nodded once, baring his teeth in a fierce smile of triumph.You understand me perfectly, idiot human.

“Well, if you’re smart, you’ll look elsewhere for love. Her Highness knows the benefits of an alliance with Boravia far outweigh whatever you can offer.”

The Mer prince’s smile widened.Your ignorance and arrogance are understandable, since you are too stupid to realize when you are outclassed. At least I don’t have to feel sorry for you when you lose her, since I know now that you are neither kind nor honorable enough to deserve her.Then, for good measure, he clicked his teeth in the Mer gesture that meant something likeI would eat you, but you aren’t worth the trouble.

The Boravian lord sniffed contemptuously. “Just stay out of the way, idiot prince, or you’ll find out what happens to those who oppose Boravia.” He stalked toward the princess.

Kaerius’s skin tingled with intensity of his fury. Howdarethat insolent, arrogant foreigner presume to think he had any claim upon the princess? He could scarcely keep himself from lunging at Lord Ralph and demanding a duel right there.

But Marin would not be pleased by Lord Ralph’s death on her dance floor, at least not now. So Kaerius restrained himself to a furious, silent snarl and watched, his heart burning, as Lord Ralph bowed to the princess and drew her into the next dance. He found Brighton not far away and approached him, holding up two fingers to confirm that this was Lord Ralph’s second dance with the princess. Brighton nodded.

The princess danced well, and Kaerius admired her graceful turns and easy skill. She did not look frightened, and he did not know her well enough to see any sign of hidden nerves. She smiled at Lord Ralph, apparently confident and willing to listen to him, but far from entranced. Kaerius smiled a little to himself. He liked her confidence; she would choose him at the end because he was a worthy partner for her, not because she was terrified of Lord Ralph or Boravia. She would choose Kaerius because she wanted to, not because she was forced to.

He danced with another young lady Brighton suggested to him, only to avoid drawing attention as a disagreeable guest. Theheels of his boots clicked on the floor, and the room echoed with voices and music. All the sounds were different without water to muffle and distort them. The world seemed painfully loud and clear, with so many echoes off so many surfaces that it was disorienting.

There was a tittering little knot of young ladies who giggled as he walked past.

“Prince Kai,” someone whispered, as if he were an object of admiration.

He turned and beamed at them. Perhaps they were not entirely stupid, if they thought him handsome enough to titter and sigh over.

Lord Ralph had left the princess only one song before, and Kaerius realized with a start that he was walking her direction again. The Mer prince lengthened his own strides and whirled the princess into the next dance just before the Boravian lord reached her.

Marin looked up at him with her lovely eyes, and it felt like the warmth of the sun on his face. He smiled down at her, forgetting his dislike of Lord Ralph and the raw spots on his feet and even the unfamiliar tightness of the fabric about his shoulders.