Page 55 of Dance with Death

“Vigo.” Nikolai’s voice dances into my ears.

For the first time, I don’t fear the sound, I welcome it.

My heart thuds as I whirl around. Nikolai’s presence may be oddly welcome, but his isn’t the aura that sparked awareness, the aura that crawls over my skin, begging to be noticed.

“Ezra.” His name slips unintentionally from my lips.

Their eyes fall upon me for the way I speak out of turn. But I don’t care,can’tcare, because Ezra is here and he’s caught me in his sparkling green eyes, full of happiness, wonder, and worry all at once. It’s as if the Earth has taken a breath at the unexpected sight of him and I feel the land shudder beneath my feet.

Three months.

Three months since I’ve seen his face.

Three months since I’ve heard his voice.

Three months since I’ve felt the rush that comes from being near him.

I had cursed myself for falling in love with him when Vigo became my master. I tried to write him off, tried to think of him as the man I loved for a season, never to be seen again. But all this time has passed, and I still want him, love him,needhim.

We both step toward each other, moving together like a dying star and its lonely planet, eager to find our orbit together again. But Nikolai slams a hand against Ezra’s chest, pushing him back, and Vigo snatches me by the wrist, pulling me swiftly against his side.

How can that spark still exist between us after all this time?

I need to touch him, hold him, kiss him.

My stomach aches for him. A hollow spot I didn’t know existed opens wide and begs me to fill it with the love I can only feel in his arms.

“Where’s your new girl?” Vigo asks Nikolai, nudging me in the side with his elbow. “Did you hear he’s replaced you with another ballerina?”

My jaw sets as I jerk my stomach away from him.

“It’s almost as if he had someone lined up to replace you before he even sold you,schiava. You’re lucky I wanted you, don’t you think?”

Vigo bends to kiss my cheek and I try to pull away. He grabs my chin and forces me to look up at him, planting a firm kiss on my lips. I want to spit on him, but I wouldn’t dare. He slaps my cheek for my struggle nonetheless, and I wish Ihadspit on him.

Nikolai’s arm whips out to slam against Ezra’s chest once more, holding him back when he lurches forward. Then he continues the conversation coolly, as if no movement had occurred.

“Sasha is in our room with Kostya,” Nikolai replies with civility, though his eyes narrow on Vigo. “She’s not quite ready to make an appearance yet.”

“Ah, you’ve found a fighter then?”

“Quite the opposite, actually. She bores me.” I can feel Nikolai’s eyes on me.

Mine are on Ezra.

“So strange seeing you at a reception without Anya at your side.” Vigo baits Nikolai’s anger, putting his arm around my waist and tugging me closer into his side. “She’s been your faithful companion for years.”

Vigo steals my attention, his hand sliding up the side of my waist. He stretches his long fingers across my breast. I still myself in his hold, knowing better than to fight.

Ezra is ready to pounce and part of me wishes he would. He could start a fight and get us both killed, but then at least our shared torment would be over for good.

What’s wrong with me?

Nikolai’s lips purse into a straight line. “And now she’ll be your companion.”

Vigo laughs and it’s menacing in its coolness. “I doubt that. She’s neither faithful nor a companion to me. And my girls don’t survive years. You know that, Nikolai.” Vigo claps him on the shoulder.

Nikolai shrugs him off. “They might survive years if you took better care of them.”

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