Page 41 of The High Mountain Court

Carys reached out and grabbed Remy’s hand, pulling her to stand. “Come on,” she said, her bright blue eyes twinkling at Remy. “Let’s go dance.”

“I don’t know how to dance.” Remy yanked back on Carys’s arm, but the fae warrior merely tugged harder.

“I will show you, it’s easy.” She laughed, swaying to the sounds. She was bubbly and loose from all that wine.

Carys guided Remy down the marble steps of the café and onto the grass past the white gravel promenade. A few other fae had gathered here in front of the orchestra and were dancing in spirited couples. Carys wrapped her hand around Remy’s back and pulled Remy to stand in front of her.

“I’ll lead.” Carys giggled. Her cheeks were rosy as she moved. The Southern Court was working its magic on her too. “Put your hand on my shoulder.”

Remy did. Carys took her other hand and guided her into a simple box step.

“I thought you didn’t know how to dance?” Carys asked as Remy followed her lead.

“I don’t . . . not really,” Remy said, falling into a simple rhythm along to the slow tune. “I learned a little when I was a young child. I think it’s just muscle memory.”

A few of the other couples circled closer for a better look. Carys simply offered them an effortless, if not slightly patronizing, smile.

“Do you know them?” Remy whispered.

“Some of them, yes,” Carys said through her smile. She twirled Remy further away from the onlookers, dipping Remy low with a laugh. “This will give them something to talk about.”

“You used to live here?” Remy asked, clinging to Carys as she hoisted her onto her feet.

“I grew up here,” Carys said. Remy squinted at her. “My parents were Northerners by blood but they both grew up here too . . . it’s a long story.”

Remy pursed her bottom lip over her teeth. It probably wasn’t a long story, only one that Carys didn’t want to tell. The song slowed, and Carys spun Remy one more time before they both dropped into a bow to each other.

Polite clapping sounded from around and above them. Remy looked up to see Bri, Talhan, and Hale leaning over the balustrade, watching the two of them. Hale’s white teeth gleamed as he smiled at them, but Remy could tell from her periphery that his eyes bored into her with an intensity that did not match that charming smile.

The music picked up into a faster tune, and Carys swept Remy away from that intense look. She moved her in wide, arcing circles until Remy’s head was spinning. Her feet stumbled a few times at the quick, side-skipping steps. She kept pace, though, moving in time with the female fae, but Remy breathed a sigh of relief when the song slowed to its final notes. Panting from the exertion, she bowed to Carys again. Another round of polite clapping. She sensed Hale’s eyes upon her still, but she didn’t dare look his way.

Talhan’s voice pulled them from beginning the next dance.

“Off to do some shopping. See you later,” he called to the two of them with a wink. They knew what he was off to buy: an item needed for the game tomorrow night. He turned to Neelo and said, “Care to join me?”

“That would be a no, Tal,” Neelo said, their eyes glued back on the pages of their book. Talhan shrugged and kept walking.

“Enough with this dancing,” Bri said, leaning on one elbow, effortlessly swinging her legs over the ledge and landing on her feet before them. “It’s time to train.”

“What, here? Now?” Remy balked as Bri handed Remy a dagger and unsheathed her sword. It had been nearly a week since she had seen Bri. The training with Carys had been much less grueling.

“Yes, here. Now.” Bri smirked. Her golden eyes also gleamed with too much honey wine. “Time to burn off all that coffee.”

“I’m too full,” Remy groaned. The tight waistline to her dress felt like it was cutting into her. She should have stopped eating when it tightened, but the food was too good.

Bri leaned in and said quietly, “We’re here to be noticed. Think of all the tales of the Eastern Prince’s ruffians sparring in the gardens.”

Bri didn’t give Remy enough time to respond as she swung her sword. Remy lifted the dagger in her hand to block. The surrounding crowd gasped. The dancing couples around them moved out of the line of attack.

Bri shoved Remy playfully. She hooted and ran down the promenade. Remy laughed, chasing after her. Carys was only a step behind, taking out her own sword as she ran. Bri leapt onto the lip of the reflection pool as Remy swung for her legs. Bri easily jumped the sword and swiped back at Remy. Carys entered the fray, and they took turns trading strikes and blocks. This wasn’t like their real training. Bri pulled every strike and Carys moved at half her usual speed. This was all for show. Remy couldn’t contain the laughter that erupted from her as they moved. She felt like a child chasing Fenrin around with a stick again.

Carys leapt onto the edge of the reflection pool to attack Bri. The two parlayed, balancing along the thin stone. Remy couldn’t help the thought that crossed her mind. A little voice inside her nudged her to do it. She rushed forward, throwing out her red magic, causing the two fae to plummet into the reflection pool.

Carys floundered when she hit the water and then popped back up, laughing so hard she didn’t make a sound. She dipped her hair into the water again to slick it back off her face.

“You witch!” Bri shouted, though her wet face was still grinning. She turned to Remy. “What are you laughing at?” She yanked the red witch in with them.

The cool water was welcome from the sultry evening air. Remy wiped back the hair stuck on her face. Her body shook with unstoppable laughter.

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