“You’re good at this.” Leila watched his feet as she spoke. “Aside from that utterly unconvincing stumble of yours.”
“Your stumble. Don’t try to pin it on me. That’s bad form.”
“Did you really just learn today?”
“I did. In the bathhouse. Ask Delphi, she was there.” He paused, rethinking his words. “On second thought, don’t ask her.”
“Do you like it?” Her eyes became large and bright. “Dancing. It’s fun, yes?”
“It has its benefits.”
“Its benefits?”
“If the only way I can hold you tonight is by dancing with you, then I’ll do it.”
He spun her before bringing her in close, the room around them fading beneath a haze of irrelevance.
“You never told me, you know,” Leila said.
“Told you what?”
“How your first day was, here in the palace.”
He shrugged. “Mostly uncomfortable. Very embarrassing.”
“Poor Tobias.”
“We received a considerable number of warnings regarding our time here,” he continued. “No wandering eyes. No unsound intentions. The punishment for such behavior will be determined by our kind and merciful Sovereign.”
Leila’s face dropped. “I see.”
The atrium turned cold and bleak. Leila tensed, braced for a blow, but Tobias leaned in close to her, bringing his voice to a whisper.
“When can I see you again?”
She faltered. “Pardon?”
“Can I see you?” He glanced from side to side. “I imagine things will be different now that I’m here in the palace, but—”
“It’ll be different. But better.”
“Better?”
She nodded. “Easier.”
Tobias’s heart raced. “When can I see you? Just the two of us.”
“Soon.”
“Tonight?”
Leila shook her head, and he sighed. “Not soon enough, then.”
He threaded his arm around her, pressing her against him in a way that was ill-advised, but the ease with which she sank into his arms told him she didn’t mind.
The calm was fleeting; her body abruptly stiffened, her anxious gaze locked once again on the men in royal drapes.
“Leila?”
She flinched. “Apologies.”
“Captivated by the Sovereign and his flock of birds?”
“I didn’t know they were coming. I assumed…” Her voice trailed off, and she glared their way. “Only they could ruin a night such as this.”
Tobias scanned her over, carefully taking her in. “But you’re safe for now, yes?”
“Safe? Of course, why?”
“Your blade is conspicuously missing.”
She started, taken aback. “Eyeing my legs, are we?”
“How could I resist?”
A laugh escaped her lips, though her eyes revealed her concern. “Servants said the leather didn’t exactly complement my dress.”
Tobias didn’t respond. He had been here before, analyzing her worried gaze with no clarity, no explanation. Leila stared at him, waiting for him to speak, and the longer he stewed over her words, the more visibly dejected she became.
“Tobias…”
“You don’t have to tell me your secrets,” he said. “I’ve only known you a short while. I understand if you don’t trust me.”
“It’s not that I don’t trust you. It’s just…things are—”
“Dangerous?”
Her expression spoke for her, draining of all color and joy.
He forced a smile. “Now’s not the time. We’re celebrating, and you look absolutely incredible. But one day, if you’d care to tell me your secrets, or at least what I’d have to do to be worthy of them, know that I’m here. And I’m very good at keeping my mouth shut.”
Leila thawed, melting into their final position. Tobias rested their hands over his chest, and his heart surged once she nestled against his neck. The moment was good yet again. It was also short-lived.
“It’s nearly time to switch,” he mumbled.
“Yes. And this time, we have to.”
They danced in silence, their bodies close and conjoined. Leila’s breath tickled his neck as she spoke. “Know that I don’t want to.”
The madness at the bathhouse floated through his mind. Tell a secret. It’s what lovers do. He whispered into her ear, “I wish I could kiss you right now.”
Her face flushed—success—and he pulled away, giving in to their inevitable parting. Leila fought to hold back one of her infectious smiles, her cheeks still good and pink, and Tobias bowed his head. “I’ll be seeing you.”
She nodded. “Soon.”
She wafted away, her exit sucking the air from his lungs. He watched her for a moment longer, silently hating whoever got to dance with her next, then turned to face his newest partner.
Cosima.
“Artist.” She held out Her hand. “Care to dance?”
Not particularly. He took Her hand and bowed. “It would be an honor.”
Tobias led their dance with as much feigned enthusiasm as he could muster. Cosima looked regal as always, Her jewelry sprinkled with peacock feathers, Her dress a matching teal blue, yet the look was ostentatious simply because it was on Her. A strain wedged between them, Her breathing enough