Page 12 of Caged By Dance and Desire

Coralene waved her hand. “Flunkies, quality control. No one worthy of note in and of themselves.”

“What about the one who was dressed in dark rose with the pink and grey hair?” I asked.

She frowned at me. “I saw no one fitting that description.” She paused. “Pink and grey hair? Describe this person again.”

I shrugged, backtracking, and glanced away. “I wasn't paying attention, I just got a glimpse of all that pink.”

Coralene watched me with narrowed eyes for a moment longer, then dismissed me. “High Lords Andreien and Euthaline will be present. The High Lord's son, and a cousin. Both are powerful potential patrons, though Lord Andreien rarely bothers. He must be bored this season. The Courtshavebeen quiet.”

Taima's eyes widened in excitement. “What about Lord Miahela? Is she coming?”

“I have no confirmation of that this year.”

The name of the High Lord's son had caught my attention. Andreien was very close to Andrei.

“Is that a common name?” I asked. “Andreien?”

Coralene looked at me again. “Does it matter? I swear you ask the most random questions.”

I ignored her condescension. She couldn't help it. “I've heard the name before.”

This time she lifted her gaze to the ceiling as if praying for the patience not to smack me.

“Of course you've heard the name of the High Lord's son before. He is city Heir. One of the most powerful High Lords in the territory. A bit lackadaisical, though.”

“Does he have a lover?” Samuel asked, sliding into an armchair opposite me and stretching out his long legs. “I saw him in person once. Hot. Broody but not cold, and he knows how to accessorize without overdoing it. Some of these Lords are so gaudy. If he were my patron he would definitely get all the perks from me.”

“I haven't heard he has a concubine,” Coralene said. “He certainly has no consort. He may have a casual lover, but he would be discreet about their identity, of course.” She snagged Taima’s water bottle and took a long sip without her lips actually touching the rim. I wasn’t certain if that was a courtesy or an insult, which was typical in dealing with Cora. “You'll only have one chance to gain his attention in that way, though there is no guarantee he'll come to the mixer.”

The company hadn't announced the dancers who would attend this year. Right before the showcase the top dancers were invited to an evening social to mingle with potential patrons and other selected guests. Historically, it was a chance to gain a patron's attention before the showcase. By attention, the not quite unspoken context was that many of the patrons would seek those perks Samuel mentioned.

“Anyone not gonna put out?” Samuel asked with a salacious grin.

Taima and I exchanged a look. Neither of us was religiousnow,but we’d been raised in similar conservative backgrounds, her parents Catholic and Muslim, mine Protestant though my mother still semi-practiced Buddism. I had ten years away from home though, and Taima had only been on her own a few months.

“Technically it isn't supposed to be required,” Taima said, chewing on her bottom lip. “You allknowI haven’t done it before.” She blushed. I’d forgotten she was only eighteen. “Maybe we can find patrons who don’t want sex.”

Coralene grimaced. “Save me from. . .good luck finding that unicorn. I’ve never met a High Fae who wasn’t ridiculously oversexed, and if you hope that means vanilla then I wouldloveto enlighten you. We’re physically attractive dancers seeking financial and social support, our patrons rich, powerful people with appetites. I suggest you start lining your stomach now.”

I frowned. It was an aspect of the program I'd struggled with, and I hadn't yet made any decisions. A decision complicated now that I was in a situationship with Andrei. I was almost certain he wouldn't allow me to take a patron and if he did, he’d ixnay any requests for sexual favor. Considering how he’d ixnayed Larry. . .I took a deep, cleansing breath. That image still caused nausea.

Andreien, the High Lord's son. Andrei, my High Lord.

It could be a coincidence.

But was I that stupid?

. . .still. It would be the sort of coincidence that implied I was a beneficiary of extraordinarily magical good fortune. Come on.Lord Issahelle’sson? I didn't believe in that kind of luck, not for me.

If it was true—could I take advantage? I made myself consider it for a coolly pragmatic moment. A guaranteed spot in Lord Issahelle's company if I just asked my new boyfriend.

“Girl,” Samuel was saying, “if I were you I’d throw myself a cherry picking party and get rid of it. I wouldn’t want to pop that pie with a High Fae. Talk about going from zero to one hundred in sixty.”

I kind of agreed.

“I’d volunteer,” he added, “but, you know. Team dick.”

Taima grimaced at him. “Thanks. I’d prefer a girl, anyway. Boys don’t wash—I know, I have three brothers—and I don’t need that taste in my mouth.” Samuel choked on his water, then howled with laughter. She rolled her eyes then turned to me. “What are you gonna do, Han?”

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