Page 14 of Caged By Dance and Desire

“I’ll answer. I could, and no one intelligent would interfere.” He smiled, revealing a glimmer of dangerous amusement. “My mother wouldn’t be happy. She prefers the Lords not frighten the tourists.”

“I’ll bet.”

“And the answer to my question, my Anah?”

“No.”I wouldn't tell you if someonedidbother me. You’re homicidal.

The long pause suggested that though I’d kept those words to myself, he’d heard them anyway.

“If that is so. . .good. May I?”

Andrei angled my head so I couldn't avoid his eyes anymore. Eyes communicating what he wanted permission for. He lowered his head, lips hovering over mine.

“Should you?” My voice wasn't steady. “We're out in the open.”

If any of the dancers saw me in the arms of a High Lord, the gossip would spread like wildfire. Hot, and merciless.

“It's only a matter of time.” He straightened. “But you're right. I forget myself somewhat. Up you go.” He opened the coach door and lifted me up.

“You missed your calling as a cavalier,” I said as I settled down, breathing slow and deep until my tensing body relaxed. “Any man who can fling a whole woman around needs to be in ballet.”

Andrei settled on the seat across from me, half lounging on one elbow. The coach rolled smoothly into motion, not a hiss of plebeian steam to be heard.

His eyes glinted. “It’d please my mother if I did. Though bringing her an elite dancer as my bonded should please her enough to remain in her grace for at least a decade.”

He was a bit of a mama’s boy, wasn’t he? Cute, as long as it didn’t cause future problems. My eldest brother’s mother-in-law was a nightmare.

“You reveal your nefarious scheme,” I said, folding my legs underneath me. “Your mother's a fan of ballet?”

“You could say that.”

I could say a lot of things, starting with, are you Lord Andreien, the Heir of Casakraine city? His mother happened to be a fan of ballet?

It was as if he was leaving me breadcrumbs to soften me up for the big reveal. Though to be fair, the second clue—his name—hadn't come from him.

I held back because if his answer was yes, then I couldn’t pretend this was no big deal anymore. I shouldn’t be able to pretend anyway—but I was determined to ignore pesky details like soulbond and High Lord. My aunt had warned me my conflict avoidant personality would walk me into trouble I couldn’t prance away from one day.

“The showcase is soon,” I said. “And I'll either be invited to the company or not.”

“Yes, I know.” He lounged with an ease I didn't buy for a minute, hair falling over his forehead and into his eyes.

“If not, I have no legal recourse to stay in Casakraine.”

Andrei examined the state of the polish on his long nails. They were coated in a matte, pale hunter green that complemented his clothing. Rather matchy-matchy. Though I hardly qualified as a fashion critic.

“Don’t be concerned,” he said.

I didn't bother getting upset over his offhand condescension. “You can’t expect me not to be concerned.”

Andrei uncoiled from his relaxed posture and leaned his elbows on his knees, still staring at his hands. “What happened at rehearsal, Hasannah? You felt tense when you emerged.”

“I want to dance, Andrei. More than anything. There's only one company in Casakraine, and it's either that, or the private clubs that hire human dancers.”

“An option unavailable to you.” His voice was soft, his gaze less so as he lifted it. “The dancers in those clubs survive through patronship. Any favor you offer will be mine alone.”

I wrinkled my nose. That would makehimmy patron, but I didn't poke that tiger. “I wasn't truly considering it. No, I want to be on a classical dance stage. If I can't do it here, then I have to go home.”

And figure out a career for a thirty-year-old classically trained dancer with no other skills or backup education.

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