Page 169 of Blood Sanctuary, Part Two

She cast him a questioning glance. He returned a stoic expression.

“Well?” Mak prompted.

Lyros crossed his arms. “In between wrecking the plans of Cordian mages and hauling negotiations with Tenebra into a new era, did you get a chance to…”

Kia coughed. “…invite Cassia to the second dance of the evening?”

“The ‘second dance?’” Cassia arched a brow at Lio. “Why, that sounds like we’re all going to have great fun tonight after the public dance is over.”

Lio lowered his voice. “I won’t tell them I had some dessert first.”

“She stood beside him at his Gift Night celebration,” Nodora said. “Most of Orthros has already given them cups. That must mean they’ve talked things over.”

“That’s certainly indicative,” Kia agreed, “but it’s not official till they dance the dance.”

Nodora frowned at Cassia. “Based on your expression, Lio still has some explaining to do.”

“Do you know about the order of events tonight?” Xandra asked a little too brightly. “My mothers, as the first Graces, open the evening, then after them, anyone who is Graced may join in the first dance.”

“As for the second dance…” Nodora cleared her throat. “…it is open to couples who haven’t avowed but, ah, know something important they’d like everyone else to know, too.”

“Lio?” Cassia asked innocently. “Do we know something everyone else doesn’t?”

He stroked his chin. “Let me think. There may be some inside information about the embassy we’ve been keeping under our hats.”

“Sir Benedict is in love with Lady Eugenia of Segetia,” Cassia offered.

Lio nodded. “But I think that’s obvious to anyone who’s heard him mention her.”

“Hmm,” Cassia went on, “Lord Adrogan needed a clean pair of breeches after Lord Gaius dislocated his shoulder.”

Lio held up a finger. “Ah. Tychon’s affinity is all that saved him from following in the footsteps of his entire family tree and becoming a pig farmer.”

Cassia blinked at Lio. “Really?”

“Eudias is a fountain of gossip from Corona.”

Cassia looked around. “Oh dear. Everyone is looking rather exasperated or worried. I don’t think political secrets are what they meant.”

Lio stood behind her and wrapped his arms around her. “Maybe they mean what we’renot saying.”

“Ohhh! You mean what you said to me the other night, after the Firstblood Circle?” She tilted her face up toward him. “What you said over and over again, after I told you I was staying in Orthros?”

Mak let out a whoop, Lyros a whistle.

Lio’s cheeks flushed, but he gave Cassia a squeeze and his friends an unrepentant grin.

“Of course I know,” Cassia announced. “I am here tonight to dance the second dance with Lio and reassure all of Orthros he will never be alone again.”

Lio rested his chin on the top of Cassia’s head. “I am here to enjoy being the most fortunate person in the world.”

With sighs of relief and smiles and laughter, their friends showered them in congratulations. The men rejoined them, teetering on their skates, and lifted steaming mugs in a toast to Cassia and Lio.

“Well,” Nodora interrupted, “I’d best take my place among the Muses. I get to play during the first two dances, unavowed daughter of Blood Kitharos that I am.” She and her sitarist shared a glance that suggested they were enjoying her freedom very much indeed.

“And I get an exclusive seat closest to the Muses, where I can hear every divine note.” The sitarist departed with her.

“Speaking of exclusive seats, come with me and stand closer to the shore so we can see when Mama andBamaayoarrive.” Xandra led them to the bank of the lake, and the crowd parted for her in deference to her relation to the Queens. “They aren’t dramatic by nature, but they oblige us with a spectacle at Grace Dance, to keep our traditions strong and inspire the young ones, they say. It’s so romantic!”

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