Page 13 of Caged By Dance and Desire

I drummed my fingers on the table. “I may have alternative arrangements.”

Coralene gave me a sharp look. “Oh?”

. . .no. I cared too much about my art to climb the ranks in that particular time dishonored tradition. My ambition wasn't just for success, it was to be the best. If I earned acclaim through politics, then I’d never know if Iwasthe best. I'd rather be an honest soloist than a fake prima.

But maybe it was time to ask dear Andrei a few more pointed questions.

I focused on Coralene. “When I’m certain, you’ll know first.” She traded in information and favors, and that would earn me points.

Chapter

Five

As I left the building, muscles aching as always—I couldn't remember the last time my body hadn't ached somewhere—I decided not to busk tonight. Though I should try to get ahead a bit, the groceries Andrei purchased gave me a few days of wiggle room if I rationed. Maybe not if he intended on eating with me again, because that man could eat. I had no idea how this dating scenario was going to progress.

I exhaled noisily. This was exactly why I hadn't wanted the complication of a man in my life. I didn'thavethe mental energy to handle this right now.

“Hasannah.”

There was no mistaking his voice, the internal compass that had me walking towards him as if he were on the other end of a tether. I turned and looked down the street to where the coach was parked, a man watching me.

He stood arms folded, green-black hair tousled around his shoulders, gaze warm as I approached. He'd traded last night's club attire for a high-necked shirt in frosted green, the chestpanel sheer, sleeves bloused and ending in tight, wide cuffs. Fitted velvet like pants several shades darker than the shirt tucked into ankle boots.

Was this Cassanian business wear, or Court wear? I didn't recall orientation covering much regarding styles of dress. Our cultural crash course had mostly consisted of things to do, or not do, to avoid death and jail.

And Lords, which I'd somehow failed miserably.

“How was rehearsal?” he asked when I stopped in front of him.

Near enough to see the dusting of faint purple over his lids, brightening his eyes. So unfair. He was already too attractive for my own good.

I gave the cautiously polite generic half bow acceptable between strangers of wildly unequal rank Coralene had bullied us into perfecting.

“My mother used to pick me up after school too,” I said.

Andrei canted his head, mouth turning down. “I. . .beg your pardon?”

But he returned the bow with a slightly different variation, something in the motion indicating displeasure.

I shrugged, avoiding his suddenly sharp eyes, shifting my bag to my other shoulder. My tonehadbeen a little rude. He reached out and plucked the bag from me.

“There were scouts present for the first time,” I said, staring at his feet before he moved to stow my bag. His toes would be perfect, of course. Pretty and untwisted. Just wait till he got an eyeful of mine.

Should I tell him about the private offer I'd received? I didn't know the Fae's name.

He turned, coming close to slide a hand around my hip and tug me towards him. My hands automatically rose and rested on his shoulders. My tired body shook off some of the weariness and perked up, not at all immune to the sensation of my breasts smashed against his hard chest.

The fingers on my hips flexed, lightly possessive. “What's wrong? Did someone insult or disturb you?”

Oh boy, would I never say yes tothatquestion. A completely unreasonable threat lurked in the depths of his companionable tone—one he’d already made good on with Larry.

Note to self; no casual conversation with my new boyfriend complaining about the petty squabbles between dancers. I might get someone in the kind of trouble you met in a dark alley. Though, I supposed a High Lord wasn’t required to bother with alleys, or discretion.

“If you wanted to hunt someone down and kill them on the street in daylight, could you?” I asked. “And get away with it.”

Andrei blinked slowly. “That’s a dark question.”

I opened my mouth, but he held up a hand.

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