“You don’t sound like it.”
My mind wandered. “You know, I think this is the longest conversation we’ve ever had.”
He arched an eyebrow at me, and with that single motion, a fire burned in my belly like I’d never felt before. “And whose fault is that?”
I grinned at him. “Mine. You scare me.”
“Why? Because I’m too pretty to exist in this world?” He threw my words back at me, his voice teasing and soft.
“Because you’re scary,” I managed to say.
His eyes never left mine. “Why did you dance with him twice?”
“Because he was different.”
“Why?”
“Well, for one, he didn’t lick my hand like the first guy did.”
Ryan’s hand tightened in mine. “Is that so?”
“Sure. It’s been a weird night.”
“I know.”
“You didn’t know, did you?” About the marriage, I couldn’t say.
He didn’t need to ask. He just shook his head. He said, “Todd didn’t lick your hand. Why else?”
I laughed. It felt like it was edging toward bitterness. “He told me he didn’t know how to dance. I thought it was sweet. And he didn’t run screaming after the ass babies.”
Ryan chuckled darkly. “Why sweet?”
“It was honest. When’s the wedding?”
“We haven’t decided. When are you seeing Todd again?”
I narrowed my eyes. “I never said I was.”
“Why not?” he asked, jaw set. “He’s sweet. And honest.”
I felt dizzy. “I don’t have time for such things. I have priorities. Goals to accomplish.”
“So do I,” he said, and it was like he was trying to tell me more than those three words, but I wasn’t in the mood to understand anything.
“I suppose. I guess we’ll be seeing a lot of each other.”
“That so?” he said, and I thought he pulled me closer.
“Yes,” I said and I didn’t allow my voice to drop. “I’m the apprentice to the King’s Wizard. You’re the Knight Commander of the King’s Guard. Seems as if we’ll see each other more often than not. Especially after you’re married to the future King of Verania. I will be his wizard.”
“Will you run this time?” he asked, and when had his face gotten closer? I could feel his breath on my cheek. It was hot and moist and mint and wine. “I try and I try but you run away. Every single time.”
Suddenly, I felt very out of place. Or rather, I remembered my place. My skin was too tight, and I was sweating. The song was ending, and I pulled away. He didn’t release my hand. I could hear him being called by someone and realized tonight was supposed to be about him. He needed to mingle and kiss ass and make out with his fiancé in darkened corners because he was getting married.
“Thank you for the dance, Knight Commander.” I bowed to him because rank and custom made it so.
“Dances,” he said, voice pitched so low I could feel it crawl over me. “Plural. Because we went through three waltzes. Not one. And definitely not just two.”