Anxiousness flooded his face. “But I haven’t even told you about my famed reputation as a lover-”
“I’ve got to be somewhere right now. Sorry.”
I took two steps back, turned, and practically ran into another man. Beyond him, a few others attempted to linger inconspicuously. In fact this one, I realized, had simply been waiting for me to reject Marcus. He gave me a dazzling smile.
“Lady Markham, it’s a pleasure to meet you at last…”
I sort of lost track of time after that. I never got much farther than that spot and my wine remained forgotten and undrunk. Listening politely to each guy’s sales pitch, I amused myself by considering just how much I could push the limits of the hospitality rule before getting in trouble with Dorian. Yet, no matter how annoying each guy got, I squashed my rebellious instincts and kept to good behavior.
After a couple hours, I caught sight of Shaya, the black-haired woman who had captured me that first night. She walked alone through the room. Brushing off my current suitor, I broke free of the next contender and hurried over to her.
“Hey, Shaya, how’s it going?”
She looked at me in astonishment, not surprising considering I hadn’t spoken to her since my capture. Her gown was midnight blue velvet with a full skirt, tight sleeves, and a high collar. I didn’t entirely understand her whole background, but apparently she was the younger daughter of some noble and had ended up in a military career as part of Dorian’s guard.
“Lady Markham,” she returned. Mild curiosity showed on her face. “What can I do for you?”
“Oh, nothing. Just thought we’d…you know, talk.”
One delicate eyebrow rose. She glanced over at the eager throng of men and turned back to me with a half-smile. “It seems like you have plenty of guests to talk to.”
“Please,” I whispered. “I know we aren’t friends, but just talk to me like we are. Just for a minute. I can’t stand it. I need a break. I’m so tired of hearing about how big each guy’s estate is…not to mention other things.”
She laughed, the sound rich and sweet. Linking her arm through mine, she led me idly around, like we were indeed friends.
“I’ve heard stories about the things you’ve faced down. And yet, in the end, it’s a group of desperate nobles who undo you.”
She allowed me a few minutes’ solitude, and we talked about trivial things. As we did, I realized something: She was really funny. And intelligent. And…nice. I’d dismissed her upon our first meeting as a prissy gentry bitch, my attitude fueled partially by my capture and partially by the antagonism at dinner. But here she was, hanging out with me like any other person would, her comments both witty and astute.
“I have to go. Rurik’s looking for me,” she said at last, letting go of me. She smiled again, amused and compassionate. “Put up with them a little longer. They’re nothing more than a nuisance.”
I shook my head. “They’re so blunt and straightforward. It’s strange.” Kiyo and I had once mocked the pretenses in dating, but right now, a little less honesty had its appeal.
“Then be blunt back. If you’re too nice, they’ll think they have a chance and will try another time. Most now consider you a high-ranking noble; arrogance is expected. They won’t think you’re rude.”
I thanked her and watched her leave, just as a hand tapped my shoulder. I sighed. Time to face the wolves again.
Or fox, as it turned out.
“Hey,” I said. “Nice threads.”
Kiyo stood before me in a beautifully tailored tux, its clean black and white lines standing out in sharp contrast beside the flowing colors of the other men.
“I wore it for you. Figured you might like a change from velvet and silk. And as for you…” His smoky eyes did a quick assessment of me. “I’ve been hearing a lot of guys drool over your dress tonight.”
“You’ve been here for a while? And didn’t come talk to me?”
He grinned. “You looked pretty busy.”
“Well, stay with me now. Maybe they’ll leave me alone if they think I’m occupied with someone.”
We found a two-seated bench against a wall, padded with brocade-covered cushions. I sighed and leaned my head against his shoulder. He put an arm around me.
“I wish I was out patrolling like I usually do tonight. Fighting spirits and whatnot isn’t half as exhausting as this.”
“And so Tucson goes undefended, eh?”
“Roland’s on it, much to my mother’s dismay. I just hope I’ve drawn a lot of the action here instead of back there.”
We sat quietly for a while, watching the party. It reminded me of the bar. Alone but not alone. Like any other party, people were getting more drunk as the night progressed. That unabashed sexual contact popped up more and more frequently, and a number of people danced wherever they found room. They moved in graceful strides, reminiscent of ballroom styles I knew.
“I’ve been thinking…about last night.”
I looked up at him. “Yeah. I’ve thought about that a few times myself.”
“You were…I don’t know. I’ve never seen you like that. Not that we’ve done it all that much, but…wow. You marked me up pretty good.”
“Is that a bad thing?”
He smiled. “No. I don’t think so.” His fingers brushed my chin and tipped my face up. “But what was going on? How’d a nightmare bring that on?”
I turned my face away. “It wasn’t exactly a nightmare.”
“What, then?”
“Just a dream…or a memory. It was about my father. And magic.”
“What happened?”
“I…well, it’s hard to explain.”
“Eugenie-”
I kept my demeanor light and playful. “Forget about it. For tonight at least, okay? It isn’t the right time. We can talk later.”
He hesitated, then nodded. I moved my face closer, and he brushed his lips against my forehead, down to my cheek. I closed my eyes and sighed, luxuriating as his lips moved delicately down the side of my neck. We turned toward each other, our mouths drawn by some unseen force. And as we kissed, I forgot all about the crazy propositions tonight. There was only this. Me and Kiyo.
“No groping,” I warned, seeing his hand slyly move toward forbidden areas. “I don’t care how many other people are doing it. Or how much attention we don’t draw to it.”
“Then let’s go somewhere private,” he murmured, trailing kisses along my shoulder.
“I can’t. You know I have to leave with Dorian. Nothing’s going to happen,” I added, seeing him open his mouth. “It’s just for appearances. We can get together tomorrow.”
He considered and nodded. “All right. But I’m giving you a good sendoff tonight.”
He moved back, and we continued our kissing for a bit until a voice said, “The gods know I’ve seen some strange things in my life, but never did I expect to find a kitsune trying to make himself ruler over all of us.”
We looked up in surprise. I hadn’t expected another suitor while clearly busy with Kiyo.
Aeson stood there.
Chapter Twenty-One
I shot up, anger coursing through my body as I stared at that smug face. A heavy, bejeweled crown sat atop his brown hair, and he wore a close-fitting black satin dinner jacket.
“Don’t look at me like that, Lady Markham,” he told me in a voice both pleasant and hostile. “Dorian will not protect you if you start trouble in his home, no matter how advantageous you are as a lover.”
