Page 171 of Swords of Soul and Shadow
“Eravin dared me. I swear.”
“Kase, just tell me.”
His face was bright red, but he ground out, “I may or may not have flashed the man taking the portrait.”
“Kase Shackley!”
“I’m going to kill Jove.”
She couldn’t help it. She laughed so hard she could barely breathe. Kase was still blushing as dark as a mazelberry, but hejoined in. They couldn’t stop for a while, and a few people gave them strange looks. The laughter broke the last of the tension, and she caught her breath, wiping her tears when they finally calmed down enough to start dancing again. “The funniest part is that it doesn’t even surprise me.”
He shook his head, chuckling. “Mother was livid. Almost as much as the time we broke the window playing cricket in the courtyard. Got Zeke to take the blame for that one, though.”
“Seems like you and Jack would’ve gotten along quite well. I only got him to take one flash portrait with me as a gift for Papa. Had to pinch him to get him to smile for it.”
Kase brushed a thumb over her cheek, wiping away one of the stray tears of laughter that had escaped her own fingers. “I’d have liked to meet him.”
The moment grew heavy, laden with everything they’d lost. Hallie wasn’t sure what to say, so she didn’t try; instead, she allowed Kase to lead her through the dance once more.
A few moments later, she remembered what they’d been talking about before Jove had interrupted. “But why?”
“Hmm?”
“Why was the tattoo a stupid idea?”
He spun her out and back in, almost to avoid answering because she knew that wasn’t the next dance step. “Told you I regret a lot of things.”
She wasn’t dissuaded. “Didn’t you say something earlier about proving you love me?”
“Yes.”
“This is your first test.”
“You’re rather frustrating. You know that, right?” He put his hand on her waist once more and guided them further away from Jove, who had spun his way back around the circle again, creeping ever closer. Hallie bit back a laugh.
“One of my many virtues.” Hallie said, allowing a smile to creep across her face.
“All right,” Kase said, a small roll of his eyes. “The one Jove referred to is a small dragon on my shoulder. Looks more like a tortured worm. Got it with Skibs after we graduated from the bikes.”
“Bikes?”
“Hoverbikes. New pilots ride them to learn the controls before they’re allowed real airships.”
Hallie tangled a few fingers of her right hand into the curls at the nape of his neck again. He moved his head a little, and Hallie laughed. “Like that, don’t you?”
“Feels nice, what can I say.”
They danced past a few Jaydians, who gave them appraising looks.
“You said the one Jove referred to.” Hallie raised an eyebrow. “Does that mean there are more?”
He spun her out again, and she tripped. He caught her and brought her back smoothly. “Seems you don’t know this dance very well.”
“I’ve never heard this song.”
“Maybe I should change your nickname to something more appropriate?”
“Birdy was a stupid one to begin with, and besides, you’re being evasive, Master Pilot.”
