Page 172 of Unrivaled
No one was going to mention that he struggled to keep up with the other dancers.Not while I had any say.Together we spun and whirled.I kept his pace as if it was the music that was out of time, not Kadan.
The man made it feel entirely possible.
When his rhythm faltered, I steered us out of the crowd and onto the balcony.I tugged him over to the chairs, feigning exhaustion so he might sit.He’d refused a chair while he stood with me up in the stands, watching Chay decisively win against every single man he fought and walk off without breaking a sweat.For Chay, who was wont to bead with perspiration at the least hint of sun, that was quite the comment.
“That chair’s for murderers and despots,” Kadan had said, flicking his finger at my father’s dais.“Murder day was yesterday, and my attention is too short for despottery.”
“Is despottery a word?”I asked him now, as he passed me a glass of something with less bubbles than the cider I’d discarded with the man from earlier.
“You just said it, didn’t you?”he tapped his glass to mine.“Sounds like a word to me.Chay still recovering?”
“I think so.”I hadn’t really spoken to my guard.He’d won, but he hadn’t returned to the tower with us.“I believe he was going to the public bathhouse.I assume it’ll be quiet now, so he can have a peaceful soak.”
Kadan made an envious noise.“Wouldn’t it be nice to avoid people?”he asked, with a quick grin.“Still, he’s rarely so far from you.”
I shrugged that off.“He always does what he wishes.With the tourney, he’s been closer, but…”
It trailed off.Not since Kadan had lent on the railing beside me and said, “Don’t react, Audrey, but Luca’s fine, and everything is under control” had he mentioned Luca’s name.
If Luca had died because he believed my life would be so badly ruined without being wedded to him once I’d bedded him, well, it would’ve been a fair consequence.Now he could die for almost taking the life of my best friend.
The rage hummed in my flesh.I rolled my neck on my shoulders.Moving felt good after so much inactivity.I wanted to get Kadan up, to drag him across the floor again.
My heart drummed against my ribs like the Storm’s hooves against the road.Run run run,it said.
I drew in a deep breath, held it for a moment, then slowly released it.
“Are you sick of having every woman want to be you, and every man want to marry you?”Kadan asked me.
I glanced over, but I couldn’t tell if the sympathy was real or a jest.“Why, have you any idea how to remedy the problem?”
His mouth tugged across in a thoughtful way.“What part of that is a problem?”
“All of it.I want the women’s desire, and the men’s envy.”
A grin split his face.“Then you, my lovely lady, need better boots.”
“And somewhere better to rest my legs when they’re off,” I agreed without thinking.
Heat rushed into my cheeks.I sipped the cool drink, refusing to admit I’d just said what I had.It could’ve meantanything.If I could’ve found something to say that might’ve taken it in another direction, away from thoughts of Luca?—
“Chay’s solid,” Kadan told me, blithely.“I’m sure he’s got advice on that front.”
He did.Or, he had.There was no chance I was avoiding any double meanings now.Blame it on the cider.“Did he pay you to say that?”
Kadan’s grin widened.“Payment’s your blush, my lady.Now come, before someone comes to ensure I’m not suggesting anything between you and me.We both know I’m far too blond for you, but the gossip mill won’t understand.”
“They can add it to the list.”
“And they no doubt shall.”
I shrugged, putting my hand back in his as I finished my drink.“I should circulate.”
“Retreating?Wittyandwise.”
Feeling foolish rather than either witty or wise, we reentered the fray.I didn’t allow myself to be removed from Kadan’s company until I’d returned him to his friends and protectors.Only then did I let myself be led back onto the dance floor.
There was no sign of Luca.I’d heard a few people whispering about him, that he’d been seen very drunk early this morning, that Kadan had done some damage control to hide the fact he’d emptied half the cellars and filled half the women.
