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CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

Ellery

I’d never danced the Catari before. My parents had trained me in it, and I’d expected to do it at the coronation, but for some reason, Ivan didn’t have the extremely popular dance performed at his coronation. He probably thought it would take some of the attention away from him if he did.

I dreaded having to perform this dance with every fiber of my being. It would put me in close contact with the king, the duke, and Ryker… if he’d recovered enough to dance.

My heart thudded against my ribs, and sweat coated my palms. I’d give anything not to see any of those men again, but I didn’t have a choice.

Unwilling to let anyone know how unnerved I was, I wiped my sweaty palms on my dress and tried to prepare myself for what was to come. But I wasn’t sure how anyone could prepare for Hell.

When the merchant I’d been talking with offered me his arm, I took it. We went out to the dance floor and joined one of the lines.

I stood across from the merchant while others filtered in around us. Once everyone was ready, Ivan clapped his hands to indicate the dance should start.

I tried not to think about the men I’d soon encounter as I focused on the steps I’d practiced with my parents and Scarlet’s family over the years. The last thing I needed was to make a fool of myself.

In unison, the men and women stepped toward each other. When the man lifted his right arm, I snaked my right arm around his until our palms pressed together.

In rhythm with the music, we moved in a circle. Don’t bump into anyone. Just don’t bump into anyone.

When our hands lowered, he touched my waist and pulled me close. Together, we twirled around our spot before he dipped me, lifted me, and spun me into the arms of the next gentleman as I moved through the line.

A vast array of colorful dresses twirled around the floor, making the room come alive. I smiled at each new partner as they twirled me from one man’s arms to another’s.

It was only a matter of time before I encountered someone I despised, but the dance was fun. As my nervousness over making an ass of myself waned, my joy in it grew.

Ivan was the first one I encountered. I braced myself for whatever he’d say or do, but he showed no recollection of me as his eyes flickered briefly over my face before shifting away while we danced.

He didn’t speak as he moved with the others; I was immensely grateful for that. Out of the three men I dreaded encountering, he was the one I feared least, but it was nice to escape his embrace without being leered at or ridiculed.

Once free of his arms, I beamed at my next partner and the next, but my smile faded when I found myself in Ryker’s arms. I had no idea how he would react to me after our last encounter.