Devon shook his head. “I think your mother is having a good time.”
Kianna pouted. Then, one corner of her lips tugged up. “Well, at least I’m dancing with you now. If anyone tries to cut in, please, don’t let them.”
Devon smiled, proud that she would rather spend her time with him than with anyone else from the party. “Will do.” He let go of her, only to twist her under his arm, then pull her to him again.
Kianna’s smile widened. “Look at you. You might not remember much, but you do remember how to dance.”
“It seems like that, doesn’t it?” As a divine warrior who was centuries old, Devon knew better than anyone that some things were impossible to forget, most of them reactions to certain situations.
Like fear and rage and jealousy when the woman he adored was dancing with some other man.
As if it was the most natural thing in the world, Devon and Kianna danced for a long time. Every time he saw a man watching Kianna, or approaching them, probably to cut in, he spun them away until they were out of range. If he could, Devon would dance away with Kianna until they were out of there.
That gave him an idea.
“Would you like to take a break?” he asked. Kianna’s eyes widened. “Don’t worry. I won’t let anyone else take you dancing.”
She nodded.
Devon took her hand and hooked it around this elbow. He guided her to the long table with food and drinks, and grabbed two flutes of wine. As they walked away, Devon noticed a man watching them from one of the back tables. Devon had seen him eyeing Ophelia and Kianna since they had arrived at the ball. He rummaged his mind until he remembered the man. Lord Cooper, a lord with whom Kianna’s father did a lot of business. As far as Devon knew, they had never gotten along well. Lord Cooper watched Kianna with his eyes narrowed, like a predator. Devon didn’t like that look.
He took a stone path that led deeper into the garden, where the tall hedges and trees hid them from the party. They slowed their steps and sipped their wine, admiring the neatly manicured flowers and bushes.
“It’s beautiful here,” Kianna whispered. She glanced from a flowerbed with yellow and orange flowers to the star-dotted night sky.
“It is,” he said, looking at her.
They walked some more, until they were at the edge of a curved reflection pool that cut through the garden. Devon frowned when Kianna peeled her hand from his arm.
She sipped from her wine, before saying, “Thank you again for taking me out of there.”
The knot between his brows deepened. “Your mother won’t be happy to know you ran away from all your suitors.”
Kianna rolled her eyes. “I’m not some animal she can sell. Most of those men have known me for a long while. They were watching me more closely tonight because of this fake gown and this fake hairdo.”
“They aren’t fake.”
“Yes, they are.” She paused. “I’m still poor, Devon, and they probably won’t want to admit that.” She glanced down at her outfit. “I should sell this gown. It might not be worth much anymore, but it’s better than hanging it in my wardrobe and never wearing it again.”
Why were things so complicated? Devon had lots of money. He could pay for the gown. He could buy them a carriage. He could even pay for more workers, so Kianna and her mother could lead a gentler life.
But he couldn’t do that.
He was a damn warrior, and besides keeping her alive, he shouldn’t interfere in her life. He had done it so many times, though.
What was he doing? He shouldn’t allow himself to fall for her. He shouldn’t allow himself to get this close to her. He shouldn’t touch her, dance with her, smile at her.
That was it. He had to take her home, and patrol the manor in warrior mode. Nothing else, nothing more.
“Kianna—”
“Yes?” She turned her bright blue eyes at him and he felt lost again. How could he resist those eyes?
Like a fool, he surrendered.
Devon fished the ring from his pocket. “I have something for you.”
Kianna’s brows curled down. “For me?” He took her right hand and slipped the ring onto her finger. Kianna gasped as she admired the ring—a metal circle with a blue stone, as bright as her eyes. “The ring. From the festival.”