Page 14 of Lord of Dance and Desire

I grimaced, because she was right. The favor I asked for placed her at risk, whether I followed through on it or not. If Andrei would whip his own luudthen, I was under no delusion about what he would do to Coralene.

What Ashlyun would do to Coralene. I hadn’t known she was connected to him before now, but the new knowledge added another layer of potential crap that could hit the fans. Or blood that could hit the walls.

“All right,” I said. “Do I have to bargain for the quality of the exit plan?”

Cora shook her head. “No. If I fail you, it'll be both of our necks. Give me a couple of days.” She paused. “Are you in any immediate danger?”

“No. He doesn't abuse me. He's just. . .a High Lord.”

Her lips thinned.

Enough said.

Because Samuel didn't mind company, I lounged in his solo room while he practiced, offering a few strictly verbal pointers. Highly cognizant if I so much as twitched a toe, any leniency Mihaela had bargained for would evaporate.

I lingered in the cafeteria for a few minutes when everyone gathered for our habitual decompression and snack time.

“Come out with us, Han,” Taima urged. “A new dance club opened up and we were going to grab a drink. Oh, and I have something to tell you. I think I may have a patron!”

I hugged her. “I’m so happy for you, and I want all the details. But I'm on curfew.”

“Your patron has you on a curfew?” someone asked.

“I don't have a patron.” Though it occurred to me, belatedly, I should have let them think that. It was a little less embarrassing than the truth.

“She's fucking the High Lord’s son,” Xavi muttered. Loudly. “She doesn't need a patron.”

My cue to leave. I stood, grabbing my bag.

“Ignore those jealous bitches,” Samuel said with a sharp look in their direction. “Any of them would have seized the chance if it was offered. They're mad you got there first.”

“Well, let them be mad when I'm not here to listen to it.”

“But how can he put you on a curfew?” Taima asked. “That's so weird. You can't let him control you like that. Just fight back.”

I wanted to grimace. She was so young.

“She's lying,” Xavi said with a sneer as he walked past us. “It's an excuse because she doesn't want to hang out with you low caste losers anymore.”

Hurt flickered in Taima’s eyes; the arrow had found its mark.

“I really do have a curfew,” I said, “but there's a cafe on this block. I can swing a ten-minute coffee.”

If we stayed on the block, that wasn't a detour. I'd still have some fast talking to do, but I figured if I distracted Andrei with the nasty words the other dancers had flung at me, his protective instincts would obliterate any thought of my mild disobedience.

“Come on,” Samuel said. “I guess we have to accommodate you if he's got you locked down like an old married lady.”

. . .or something like that.

“Now tell me everything,” I demanded as we sat at a corner table with our coffees. “The short version because I can’t stay long.”

She was nearly bouncing in her seat. “It’s a Lord! The one who was scouting the other day. He approached me at the party.”

I mourned the lack of naiveté that in the past would have allowed me to believe her words were a coincidence.

I inhaled fragrant steam. “If I guess the name of the Lord, then you owe me coffee for a week.”

Taima blinked. “How many guesses?”

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