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“Pretty sure we’ve seen the last of Tiber for the evening.” Nolan returned from the drink station and handed one to Octavia.

He’d styled his dark hair tonight, but it was still unruly, some of the curls coming free from his hair tie.

She frowned, but took the drink. She’d seen Mia and Tiber sneak off not too long ago and figured Nolan was right.

She was surprised he’d only brought a drink for her, so instead of drinking it, she handed it to Asa with a smile.

He really was a nice male, and she hadn’t been completely honest with Mia about why she’d wanted to dress up tonight.

It hadn’t been for Asa—they were simply friends. A little fib where she’d pretended that she didn’t know him well. She was used to lying for work, but she’d actually felt bad using half-truths with her new friend. But for tonight to work, she hadn’t wanted to risk Mia snitching on her to Tiber.

And this little “glow up” as one of her friends had called it, was for her dumbass best friend who didn’t seem to know she was a female. Nolan only saw her as a warrior. And fine, she was a kickass one, but a woman had needs.

She’d thought dressing up and trying something different would get his attention. But he’d barely said anything about the change and had been surly all night.

Asa nodded at Nolan with a smile because, of course, he did. “Thank you. I see a couple friends I need to talk to if you’ll both excuse me.” He looked back at Octavia, grinned just a little wickedly. “But save me a dance?”

“Of course. I’ll save all of them.” Was she laying it on too thick? Whatever, she didn’t care. Asa knew what she was up to and fully supported her.

Next to her Nolan growled deep in his throat and once it was just the two of them, he said, “That drink was for you.”

“Well, it was pretty rude of you not to get Asa something. And that’s not like you.

What’s going on tonight?” Because her best friend was normally even keeled.

On missions she could always trust him to have her back.

To have anyone’s back. He was levelheaded and the kind of partner you wanted in a shitstorm.

And in your bed.

“He’s lucky I didn’t smash it in his face.”

Octavia blinked, her mouth falling open slightly. “What the hell is wrong with you?”

Nolan shrugged. “I just don’t like him. He’s shifty.”

She blinked again. “Asa. The baker ? You think he’s shifty?” she asked slowly.

“He’s not good enough for you, that’s for sure.” He set his drink down on a passing tray, his jaw set.

And sweet flying dragons, she wanted to punch him. She might trust him with her life, but her heart was a different story. And she was starting to realize that what she felt was one sided. He was just a grumpy asshole who didn’t see her as anything other than a friend, a fellow warrior.

Clearly.

She’d thought they had a spark, that things had been shifting between them lately, especially after their last couple missions. But…

She smiled as Cyprus approached, looking smug. Glad to stop obsessing about Nolan, she eyed Cyprus. “You look like you’re up to something.”

To her surprise, he gave her a little bow, snagged her hand, and tugged her along with him toward the nearest dance floor. “What’s going on?” she whispered as he pulled her onto the floor.

This was a familiar song, one of the queen’s favorites, and easy to dance to. She preferred her parties rowdier than this, but for a formal occasion at the castle, this was about right.

“You looked like you were ready to set someone on fire, so I figured I’d save him.” Cyprus grinned at her as he spun her once.

“I didn’t realize I was that transparent.” A swirl of color surrounded them as other couples moved on the dance floor.

“You’re not—but we’ve been friends for five hundred years.”

“Fair enough.” She grinned slightly, letting go of her annoyance at Nolan for now. “So why were you looking so smug earlier?”

“I’ll tell you later.”

“Ah. Okay.” He didn’t want to risk anyone overhearing, so it might be official business. As he spun her again, she saw Nolan on the dance floor with one of Mia’s artist friends and felt like a dagger had slipped between her ribs.

She turned back to Cyprus. “Feel like getting out of here?”

He nodded and without pause, tugged her through the throng of people.

Goddess, she hated all these stupid emotions she couldn’t seem to get a handle on. Some days she wanted to shift to her dragon half and never turn back.

Life was easier as a dragon.