Page 6 of Radiant Shadows

“Actually, yes,” I admitted, struggling to follow along without stepping on his feet. “I, for one, don’t really know how to dance like this. I know this is supposed to be a ‘ball,’ but I wish they played something less…”

“Formal?” Jackson supplied with a grin.

“Exactly,” I agreed.

After a few minutes, I adjusted to the tempo and was able to let him lead me without tripping. How anyone could find this style of dancefunwas beyond me. How was I supposed to forget about Niko with this shit?

The song ended, and I practically jumped in relief when the next onewasa Lindsey Sterling song I knew—Crystalize, which I had actually spent months creating a dance routine to.

“It’s my turn to lead,” I said to Jackson with an impish smile.

“What—” he started to ask, but I threw myself into the song, twirling around him, pressing against him, and sliding down him in time with the electric beat.

He caught on quickly, spinning me and dipping me when my movements suggested. I was on fire as we danced, exhilarated by the scream of the violin and rapid thrum of the drums. I didn’t even mind when he threw off my routine by picking me up at the song’s climax because the feeling of being weightless was the most thrilling of all.

When the song ended, the dancers around us applauded, alerting me with stunned humility that we’d had an audience. I laughed, breathless and sweating, tugging Jackson away fromthe spotlight because I had no desire to be the center of attention.

“You were pretty great out there,” Jackson said, pouring himself another drink with a slip of his flask.

“You weren’t so bad yourself,” I said. “You catch on pretty quickly.”

He leaned in for a moment. “You haven’t even seen the best of my moves.” He winked.

My core clenched again, my already hot body flashing with warmth.

“Do you want another drink?” he asked, wiggling his flask in the shadow of his jacket.

“Definitely. But I need to use the ladies’ room. Don’t go anywhere.”

“Trust me, I’ll wait for you all night,” he said with another wink.

I slipped through the dancers toward the bathroom, glad I wore such a short, pliable dress because it made my trip quick and hassle-free.

When I emerged, Niko was standing in the hall, his expression stony and seemingly devoid of emotion.

“That was quite the show,” he said, a note of irritation darkening his voice.

I came to a sudden stop, surprised by his appearance. “Thanks,” I said, even though I knew it wasn’t a compliment.

“Did you two practice that little routine?”

I gave a casual shrug. “Nope. It just kinda happened. I guess we have good chemistry.”

The tick of his jaw was the only sign of emotional reaction I received, and he nodded once.

“Good for you. I hope you enjoy being his chew toy,” he ground out before spinning on his heel and marching away.

Anger flooded through me. That pompous asshole! Just because he’s the general’s coffee boy, he thought he was better than everyone else? Well, he could go fuck himself. And I was going to do the same.

I made a beeline for Jackson, my wedges clacking with each stomp of my feet. I grabbed him by the lapels of his jacket, my confidence and rage behind the wheel now.

“Let’s get out of here,” I demanded.

His eyes lit up. “Absolutely.”

He abandoned his drink on the table and let me drag him out of the Great Hall and toward the were dorms. The best way to get over a guy was to get under a new one, and I was going to do it as many times as it took to erase Niko from my mind—and my heart.

Chapter 3

---