Page 61 of Dance with the Dragon Duke

Susan took the lead. Grinning over her shoulder, Margot gave her partner’s behind an encouraging pat that had them both giggling as they wove their way through the crowd.

Tomorrow tried to watch their conquest from across the ballroom, but the music grew louder and guests began to pair off. It was difficult to watch them through all the dancers. Tomorrow’s short stature didn’t help matters.

When the music changed, footmen stationed around the room opened straw baskets and large blue Lunar butterflies jetted toward the ceiling. They floated around the chandeliers, drawing a collective gasp from the guests below, turning the ballroom as picturesque as a child’s fairy story.

Ooooooo, Ruby cooed to her through the link.Is issa uggs!

“You can go fly with the bugs,” she told Ruby. “I don’t mind. Really,” she added when the fairy hesitated. “Darko will be here any minute. I’m sure of it. Go on, you.”

Ruby dove off her shoulder, weaving between the lights, chasing the butterflies that were as big as sparrows.

“Oh dear,” Tomorrow said when Ruby caught hold of one and immediately shoved it in her mouth, chomping loudly.

She glanced about, checking for outrage, but no one seemed very upset.

Just alittleupset.

She caught only a few disgruntled looks, but since the other guests got to feast and enjoy themselves in their way, Tomorrow felt Ruby should be allowed the space to do the same. And if they didn’t like it, perhaps she’d casually mention to any who protested that her mate was a cranky dragon capable of eating everyone that crossed her. She grinned at the thought.

The next song was upbeat, and more dancers took to the floor.

“Cousin.” Lord Glen Freest’s syrupy voice startled her.

He pulled her into a turn. He was strong, and when she tried to pull away, he held her hand so tight it ached.

“I’m not dancing with you,” she spat.

“Sure you are,” he said drolly, spinning them away from the crowd, toward the corner of the ballroom. “It’s time we put this ugly business behind us.”

“You mean the ugly business ofmurderingme?” She tried to stomp on his foot.

He dodged her heel. “Quite right. You nearly had me stumped with this proprietary clause, but I’ve figured it out yet again.”

“Gods, your ego—it’s astronomical. You don’t deserve everything, Glen, just because you want it.”

Glen’s placid expression cracked. Rage simmered in his indigo eyes. “I’ll not be just someone’s second son a moment longer. Don’t you dare speak to me about what it is I deserve.”

“What you deserve is a noose around your neck,” she hissed. “My mate will be here any minute and—”

“No,” he said icily, “he won’t be anywhere any minute.”

“Hewill,” she growled. The threat in his words was not lost on her. Her stomach plummeted. Wasn’t Dark supposed to be here already? Quickly she scanned the archway, searching for her duke, desperately hoping he’d appear.

Dark wasn’t there.

But Tomorrow refused to let fear grip her. “He’s coming for me. And this time when he wants to rip you apart, I’m going to let him!”

Tomorrow dug her heel into the top of his foot. He ground his teeth at her but didn’t let her go. Tightening his hold on her back, he turned her roughly.

“You’re hurting me,” she spat.

“Good.”

Wrath rattled through her. “If you don’t unhand me now, I’ll scream, and then I’ll grab a fork from one of those tables and have a go at your eyes like Margot suggested.”

Glen released her, sending her reeling. She stumbled into two footmen who lined the wall, waiting to assist guests.

“Pardon me,” Tomorrow said. Then she sent her thoughts to her familiar.Ruby, would you like to bite someone for me?

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