Page 52 of Kiss of Ice

“Why don’t you let me be the judge of that?”

“But what if I step on your toes?”

“Then I’ll have to execute you.”

She gave him a startled look and his lips twitched. Her eyes narrowed suspiciously.

“Are you making jokes now?”

“Just dance with me, Ren. No-one’s watching. What’s the worst that could happen?”

“I accidentally trip you up, you fall over, hit your head and die,” she said promptly.

“In that case I’ll be extra careful. Now give me your hand.”

Reluctantly, she put one hand on his shoulder and the other into his outstretched palm as she’d been taught. He clasped her around the waist and together they swayed to the distant music.

He was a good dancer, she thought.Reallygood. He swept her round in a graceful arc and made her feel light and floaty. No trodden-on toes.

And he was definitely taller than her. Even in her heels, she still had to tilt her head slightly to look him in the eyes. It was a novel experience for her. And when he locked his gaze onto hers, she was powerless to look away.

They moved together seamlessly, the taut muscles of his long body pressing against her curves. She felt the warmth of his arm around her waist as he guided her. With a start, she realised she was leaning on him rather more than was strictly necessary.

Gods, he must think I’m a graceless oaf.

“About the favour you owe me,” she said, trying to distract him. “Do you promise to give me what I ask for?”

“Am I going to regret it?”

“Um, maybe. But I swear it’s a good thing and you might even find it useful.”

He sighed in resignation as he continued their dance.

“Out with it. What have I agreed to?”

“I want to take you to one of the towns outside Arjhan, so you can see the conditions for yourself.”

“Well, that’s simple enough. I can arrange an official visit as soon as…”

“No. Not officially.Unofficially. I think we should go incognito. In disguise.” He slowed his steps, taken by surprise. She continued on, excitement building in her voice. “You could get the real picture of how people are living, what hardships they endure. No pomp and ceremony and fake receptions where only your loyal followers get to meet you. But a proper look at the dirt and squalor.”

She stopped, breathless, waiting for his response.

Kam thought it over. It was potentially risky. He wouldn’t be able to take his guards and security would be an issue. Or would it? If no-one recognised him then there wouldn’t be any danger, would there?

And in all honesty, hedidwant to know what was going on in his empire. This way, going undercover with his identity disguised, he’d get the ungarnished truth.

Shade and Raya had told him to listen to Ren’s ideas. And this idea was intriguing. He stopped dancing as he pondered.

“There’d be some logistics to work out,” he said slowly.

“I can help with that. I know how to get around.”

“We’d have to keep it short and simple.” He started pacing as he thought out loud. “If I’m missed at the palace, they’ll send out a search party.”

“We can do it in a day.”

“And we’ll need to know exactly where we’re going. Somewhere representative of the wider problems.”

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