Page 109 of Lady of Ashes

“May we cut in for dances with the happy couple?”

Callan and Tava both turned to ?nd Mikale and Veda standing there expectantly. Where the hell were Sloan and Finn? Why hadn’t they intercepted them?

“You two lovebirds have danced the last three songs together,” Veda said sweetly. “Surely you can bear to be apart for one dance, no?”

Had it really been three dances?

He glanced down at Tava, who gave him a small smile as she said, “Of course. It would be a pleasure.”

She disentangled herself from Callan’s arms where they still held her and placed her hand into Mikale’s outstretched one. Callan’s jaw was tight as he watched Mikale lead her away to the other side of the dance ?oor.

“You clearly are not as smitten with her as you were with your secret lover,” Veda said tauntingly, stepping into him and placing her hand on his shoulder.

“What is that supposed to mean?” Callan gritted out as he took her hand in his and fell into the dance movements by memory alone.

“I mean that when yoursecret loverwould deign to make appearances, your eyes never left her. You certainly never danced with anyone else while she was here,” Veda all but sneered. “Yet here you are, dancing with me instead of the woman you supposedly love.”

“Supposedly? What would you know of love?” he bit back.

“Far more than you would think,” Veda answered. “I have watched many people succumb to the weakness of love.”

“Weakness?” he repeated. “If you ?nd love to be a weakness, I do not think you know anything of it at all.”

“No? You have never found yourself suffering unfairly because of love?” Veda asked, her head tilting to the side.

Callan pressed his tongue to his cheek, his eyes darting to where Tava and Mikale were dancing. She was smiling politely at him, but her posture was stiff and rigid.

“That is what I thought,” Veda said when he did not reply. “Lovemakes people do uncharacteristic things.”

“Or maybe it just draws out the best parts of a person,” Callan countered.

“Is that what she did for you?”

“I did not realize we were discussing her so openly now,” Callan ground out.

“Would you rather discuss this sham of a relationship you have with Lady Tava?” Veda asked with a cruel tilt of her lips.

“I will remind you that I am the Crown Prince, and she is to be my wife, Lady Veda. You will give her the same respect you give me. Although that currently is none, so I will insist you give hermore respect than you are giving me,” Callan said, his voice filled with dangerous softness.

Veda’s dark eyes widened slightly at his ?erce tone, but before she could reply, Tava was at his side. “I am so sorry to interrupt, but I was hoping to get some air,” she said, placing a hand on his arm. “Callan?”

“Of course,” he replied, immediately releasing Veda and taking Tava’s hand in his.

“It is funny,” Veda said, stepping away from them. “He always sought to keep them from this life of royalty, despite what he is. Despite what they are. Yet they are ?nding their way to thrones anyway.”

Callan didn’t say anything in reply as he led Tava to a side exit reserved for the royal family. Finn was already there, pushing the door open for them.

“Where have you two been?” Callan hissed under his breath when he walked past him.

“We tried to intercept them,” Finn answered, the door clicking shut behind him. “They are crafty.”

“I want you guarding Tava from now on,” Callan said, spinning around and pointing his ?nger at him. “Sloan can stay with me.”

“Cal,” Finn sighed, his ?ngers running along his brows. “Let’s talk to your father. We will get someone to guard Lady Tava. He won’t be happy if you go down to one guard.”

“I do not give a fuck what he wants,” Callan spat. “He is already getting everything he wants at this point. Do not ?ght me on this, Finn.”

“All right,” Finn said, sounding resigned. “Do you want me to come with you, or stay here and guard this door?”

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