Page 175 of On Wings of Blood

I took a step towards him. “If you know her so well, then you must know she’s not the type to fall for a few fancy words and some cheap wine.”

Kage raised an eyebrow. “Maybe not. But she seems to be enjoying my company tonight, doesn’t she? After all, you've been watching us closely enough to notice.”

“Enjoy the moment while it lasts,” I snarled. “You’ll never know her the way I do.”

Kage smiled, but his tone turned icy. “The way you do? That's funny. From where I’m standing, it doesn’t look like you know her at all. Or that she wants you to. Are you just afraid to have her realize that someone else might treat her better than you ever would?”

A rush of rage rose in my chest. My hands itched to wrap around Tanaka’s throat and wipe off his smug expression.

I held back. Barely. I wouldn’t give Kage the satisfaction of drawing me into a scene here, in front of everyone.

“She’s not a game, Kage,” I said, my voice tinged with warning.

Kage’s eyes gleamed with amusement. “If she’s not a game, then why are you playing it so badly? No need to be so jealous, Drakharrow. At least try and keep your shit together.”

The urge to hit him was almost unbearable.

“Jealous?” I spat. “I’m not jealous. I just don’t like opportunistic snakes.”

Kage’s smile didn't waver. “Whatever you say. Just remember–you’ve done nothing to make her yours. She’s a gift you’ve never appreciated. So maybe the problem isn’t me, Drakharrow. Maybe it’s you.”

The blood rushed to my ears.

Kage leaned towards me. “And now look at you. You’re just standing on the sidelines,” he murmured. “Watching her slip through your fingers. How does it feel? You had your chance, Drakharrow. And now? She’s with me.”

I wanted to splatter Kage’s blood all over the ballroom floor. But I couldn’t. Not here. Not with everyone watching. Especially as I knew Pendragon would see it as a sign of weakness.

I gestured to the bartender for another bloodwine, trying to swallow down my fury. “You're treading on dangerous ground, Tanaka. Enjoy the night while it lasts.”

I took a deep breath as Kage walked away.

I just had to get through the rest of the night. There was too much at stake for me to fuck this up now.

Somehow I made it to midnight without strangling Kage or throwing him across the room. It was a Frostfire miracle, really.

I watched as the clock ticked towards twelve. When midnight chimed, with it would come the Longest Night Waltz.

I stood near the edge of the dance floor, watching as the orchestra prepared. Archons were supposed to dance with one of their consorts. This dance was reserved exclusively for highbloods. Even though I hadn’t officially asked Pendragon to the ball, there was no way in hell Kage was claiming her for this one.

Spotting her over near the punch bowl, talking to her friend, the quiet dark-haired girl, Florence, I straightened my jacket and marched over.

When I reached her, I didn’t waste time on pleasantries.

“Dance with me,” I said, holding my hand out.

I saw her hesitation. Her brows furrowed. I’d caught her off guard. For a brief moment, I saw the desire to refuse flash across her face.

“This dance is for archons and consorts,” I said stiffly.

I was basically commanding her. But I didn’t care. There was no way I was dancing with Regan.

I could tell she didn’t want to cause a scene. Especially as the entire ballroom was watching us.

“Fine,” she said, placing her hand in mine. Her voice was distinctly lacking in enthusiasm.

Still, I felt triumphant as I led her onto the dance floor just as the lights dimmed for the waltz.

The dance was a time-honored tradition. A way of closing out the longest night of the year and celebrating the forging of bonds for the new one to come.

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