Page 124 of City of Secrets and Shadows
“You clean up well for a provincial,” he said finally, the corner of his mouth twitching.
“You sound surprised.” I tilted my head. “Did you expect me to show up in leather and chain mail?”
“I wouldn’t have complained.” His voice dropped lower, intimate despite the crowd surrounding us. “Though I must admit, the silk has its own... appeal. I find myself increasingly curious about the woman beneath all these... layers.”
The heat in his gaze made my skin tingle. I took another sip of wine to cover my reaction. “And you? I didn’t expect to see the academy’s most notorious cynic at a formal ceremony full of shallow nobles.”
“Notorious?” He raised an eyebrow. “Is that what they’re saying about me now?”
“Among other things.”
He laughed, a genuine sound that transformed his usually stern face. “I’m sure most of it is true. As for why I’m here…” He gestured with his glass at the opulent surroundings. “Mandatory attendance. Even notorious cynics must occasionally bow to protocol.”
“How terribly inconvenient for you,” I said, matching his dry tone.
“Excruciating.” He stepped closer, his eyes never leaving mine. “Though the evening has suddenly become more... tolerable.”
The orchestra began a new piece, and around us, couples moved toward the centre of the hall where a space had been cleared for dancing.
“I believe,” Jalend said, setting down his empty glass on a nearby table, “this is where I’m supposed to ask you to dance.”
“Is that what they teach at the academy? Social obligation disguised as an invitation?”
His mouth curved into a half-smile. “They teach us many ways to disguise our true intentions.”
“And what are your true intentions, Lord Northreach?”
“To scandalize the entire academy by dancing with the initiate who humiliated Valeria Nemean in front of half the nobility of the capital.” He extended his hand. “Unless you’re afraid?”
“Of Valeria? Hardly.”
“Of me, perhaps?”
I met his challenge with one of my own. “Should I be?”
“Absolutely.” The word was almost a purr.
I placed my hand in his, letting him lead me to the dance floor. “Then it’s fortunate I’ve never been particularly wise when it comes to danger.”
Jalend’s hand settled at my waist, firm and warm through the silk of my stola. He guided me into the dance with practiced ease, his movements precise without being stiff.
“You dance well,” I observed as we moved through the first figures of the dance.
“One of many useless skills required of Imperial nobility.” He executed a perfect turn. “Though I find most formal dances tedious — elaborate patterns designed to keep people at a proper distance while maintaining the illusion of intimacy.”
“How cynical.” I matched his steps as he guided me through another turn. “Perhaps you’ve simply never had the right partner.”
His eyes darkened. “Perhaps.”
Around us, other couples twirled and stepped in time to the music — academy instructors with their spouses, senior cadets with noble daughters, Imperial officials with their wives. I caught glimpses of Valeria watching us from the edge of the dance floor, her expression murderous even behind her mask.
“Your admirer looks displeased,” Jalend murmured, following my gaze.
“Jealousy is an ugly emotion.”
“Is that what you think it is? Jealousy?”
“What else would you call it?”
