Page 61 of A Song of Shadow and Starlight

"So," Nyx twirls me perfectly in sync with the other couples on the floor, "is this your way of making my brother jealous?" I glare at him, and he shrugs. "I guarantee he won't care that you're dancing with me."

"Good thing I don't care what he thinks."

"Well, if youweretrying to get a rise out of the old boy," Nyx grins, leaning close to me so his lips touch my temple, "don't look in his direction the rest of the evening. Dance with other partners, laugh, and enjoy yourself. It'll drive him insane."

"That would be sound advice," I say slowly, knowing I can't hide my feelings from the observant Harland, but can still deny it until my dying breath, "if I wanted to make him jealous. But I don't."

"Right," Nyx smiles against my temple before he pulls away and stares into my eyes. I harden my stare, willing him to back down, and whether by intimidation or pity, Nyx lets the matter drop. "You and Eris seem to be getting along nicely."

"We are." I nod, grateful for the change in subject, and glance around the room to catch a glimpse of her and Finn. I spot them at one of the gambling tables, smiling and drinking together. "So, what's their story? Are they a couple?"

Nyx takes a second to look at them from across the room before he shakes his head. "No, they're not a couple. I've asked Finn about it, but he swears they're just friends."

"Well, if there's one thing I can spot with absolute surety, it's a man in love."

"Is that so?" Nyx wiggles his eyebrows.

"Do you know how many balls I've attended in my life?" I crinkle my nose. "Hundreds, if not thousands, by the time I could walk. I always found them to be so boring, especially since I was only allowed to dance with Bastian or the elderly men in my father's counsel. I never got to flirt with anyone or dance with men my own age. But I could spot a good match from a distance and would play matchmaker during the parties."

"You nosy little fox."

"It passed the time," I shrug, smiling at the fond memory. "I'm personally responsible for at least a dozen marriages."

"If you're thinking of playing matchmaker for Finn and Eris, you might reconsider. If they've lived and worked together the past three years and haven't made a move to be a couple, they never will."

"Oh, you of little faith!" I smack at his chest playfully. "I have a good feeling about them."

Suddenly, a Frost Elf taps on Nyx's shoulder, "Might I have this dance, my lady?"

With a bob of Nyx's head, encouraging me to accept, and with the little morsel of advice on how to make Atlas jealous, I smile at the stranger and accept his offer. The man introduces himself as Alarik and tells me that he's from Lothlear, the Elowen trading city on the other side of The Quarters. He is quite charming and has kind grey eyes that are similar to my own. Our conversation is cordial and light, and he even manages to make me genuinely laugh a few times which seems to garner Atlas' attention. The moment I feel eyes pinned on me, I glance over Alarik's shoulder and my gaze collides with Atlas'. There's an undeniable heat behind those green eyes and if I'm not mistaken, a hint of envy. I have to hand it to Nyx. Dancing with this Frost Elf has soured Atlas' disposition and when I scan the area, I don't see the female who had been draped around him like a blanket.

"Where are you from?" Alarik asks, disrupting my silent stare off with Atlas.

"Mid-" I stop short of saying Midori. From my week of travels, I've discovered Midori isn't looked upon fondly and I hesitate to speak about my true homeland with this stranger, despite how charming he's been, so I lie. "Tronovia."

"Tronovia?" his eyes widen in surprise. "With your features, I took you for a Frost Elf."

"My mother was from Elowen, but my father is from Tronovia." These lies taste foul on my tongue, but I steady my face to sell the story as fact.

Alarik nods, not pressing further on my origins and I'm grateful. "Well, if you ever want a tour of Lothlear, I would love to show you around."

"Oh, that is so kind of you to offer, but I'm actually returning to Tronovia with my friends."

"What a pity," his grip tightens around my waist, and he flashes me a devilish smile. "Maybe, I can visit you in Tronovia when I'm in the capitol for business next month?"

A strangled, "Oh," is all I manage to spit out before a hand clamps down on Alarik's shoulder from behind.

"May I cut in?" Atlas steps into view, and although the question is directed at Alarik, his eyes are pinned on me.

Alarik glances at me. "If that is what the lady wishes."

I'm excited and irritated to see Atlas standing before me, but despite my desire to deny him and make him watch me enjoy the company of another man from afar, I slowly bob my head. Atlas extends his hand to me, and I take it. Reluctantly, Alarik steps aside as Atlas swoops me into his arms and glides us away from my Frost Elf companion. I shouldn't enjoy the firmness in which he holds my waist or the feel of his calloused hand in mine, but I do. Slipping my hand over his shoulder and tipping my chin up to look at his face, every snarky comment I had lined up to fire his way vanish. For several seconds, we dance without saying a word to one another. But he finally breaks down and says, "You look nice."

"I'm surprised you even noticed me, having such an attentive partner." And suddenly, I find my claws.

"My, my," he chuckles softly. "If I didn't know any better, Princess, I'd think you were jealous."

"Hardly," I fib and hope I can sell it. "You're the one who interrupted my lovely dance with Alarik."

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