Page 140 of The Gilded Cage

“I don’t like these events,” Naari said, running her hands down her sides. “I can only conceal so many weapons in this outfit.”

Kiva’s eyes bugged out, since she couldn’t seeanyweapons on Naari, and she was afraid to wonder where, exactly, she’d managed to conceal them. Jaren, she knew, was wearing a dagger at his waist, a glint of steel having peeked out from beneath his jacket when she’d first opened her door to him, but aside from that, he appeared unarmed as well.

“But since every Royal Guard we have is on patrol tonight,” Naari continued, “and Mirryn ordered me to take the night off, IsupposeI’ll just have to put up with it.” She pulled a displeased face. “Never mind. Shall we go?”

She didn’t wait for them to answer before striding back toward the door. Kiva made to follow, but Jaren’s hand caught her forearm, halting her.

“Naari’s wrong,” he said, his voice husky, his blue-gold eyes blazing a path of flames everywhere they touched her skin. “You don’t look nice.” He leaned in, causing Kiva’s breath to hitch as he pressed his lips just beneath her ear and whispered there, “You look exquisite. Youareexquisite.”

Shakily, Kiva said, “It’s the dress.”

Jaren chuckled, his breath against her skin causing goose bumps to rise. “Trust me, it’s not the dress.”

“Are you two coming?” called Naari’s voice from the hallway.

Jaren pulled back with a muted oath. “Do you think anyone would care if I murdered my own Golden Shield?”

Kiva bit back a smile. “Hypothetically?”

“Sure. Let’s go with that.”

“I can hear you!” Naari called.

Jaren sighed and placed a hand on Kiva’s back, guiding her toward the doorway and muttering under his breath, “Maybe not so hypothetically.”

Upon arriving at the masquerade, Kiva discovered the circular ballroom had been fully transformed. People were everywhere, dressed to perfection in shades of blue and gold, delicate masks hiding some of their features better than others. Multiple luminium chandeliers sparkled from the golden ceiling, a string orchestra played from a balcony high above their heads, and at their ankles swirled a layer of misted cloud — kept in place by elemental magic, no doubt, as were the floating specks of light dotting the air, like starbursts hovering among the dancing couples. On the far side, the glass wall had been opened to a reveal a balcony beyond which the Serin lay, its surface dusted with enough luminium candles to make it sparkle brighter than the moonlight shining down on the city.

“Oh,”Kiva couldn’t keep from gasping quietly.

“My sister is a lot of things,” Jaren mused, “but she certainly knows how to throw a good party.”

Kiva nodded mutely, too stunned for words. She tried to spot Mirryn in the crowd but only saw the king and queen holding court near a large cluster of guests, young Oriel remaining obediently at their sides, Flox squirming in his arms.

“There are far too many people here,” Naari stated, looking unhappily around the packed room.

“Half of them are guards,” Jaren said. “And the other half are people we know. You’re off duty, Naari. There’s no danger to me here.”

“But I —”

“Mirry ordered you to take the night off,” Jaren reminded her. “If she sees you clucking around me like a mother hen, you know she won’t be pleased. So grab a drink, get some food, and have some fun.” When Naari continued to hesitate, Jaren smirked and added, “Unless you want to three-way dance with Kiva and me all night?”

The look on the guard’s face was comical enough that Kiva normally would have laughed, but instead she looked at Jaren and repeated, “Dance?”

A devious grin stretched across his lips. “I thought you’d never ask.”

And then he was tugging her deeper into the room.

“No — Jaren —I can’t—”

But she didn’t finish her protest before he twirled her into his arms, one of his hands landing on her waist, the other gently clasping her hand.

“I don’t know how to dance,” Kiva said quickly.

“Then it’s a good thing I’ve been dancing all my life,” Jaren replied, his eyes sparkling. “You just have to trust me.” His forehead dipped until their gazes locked. “Do you trust me, Kiva?”

The way he said it, Kiva knew he wasn’t just talking about as a dance partner.

And when she held his gaze and whispered a breathy, “Yes,” she knew he realized she was answering with the same level of meaning.

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