The sun had set by the time we reached town. We stopped outside an impressive mansion that had been built with thick wooden beams and river stones. Gardens surrounded the structure and one side wall was covered in ivy. Bright firelight flickered behind the windows and music drifted through the open doors.

Tohon made a grand entrance. A room full of well-dressed people bowed before him and fawned over him. Their piercing gazes raked over me. I stifled the desire to hide within the folds of the heavy drapes. At least the house was warm.

Three rooms had been decorated for the event. A string quartet played in a corner of the ballroom. Food and wine filled the dining room. Laughter echoed and couples danced. Despite his claims of another dreaded party, Tohon enjoyed the attention. He introduced me as Avry of Kazan to a number of lords and ladies. They nodded politely, then ignored me while Tohon was with me. Which was fine until they aimed snide comments at me when he wasn’t close enough to hear.

At one point in the evening Tohon abandoned me. I found an empty seat in a dark corner, glad to no longer be eyed as if I were dessert.

My peace didn’t last long. Tohon sought me out. And for the first time he didn’t have a group of admirers surrounding him.

“You have them all atwitter, my dear. The theories and rumors about you are quite amusing. Because of the scars on your back, some believe you’re a prisoner of war, others say you’re a lady for hire who likes it rough.” He huffed. “As if I’d need to hire someone. And I’ve heard a few speculate that you’re a bastard child of Sultan Kazan.”

“What would they do if you told them the truth about me? Would they turn into a lynch mob?”

“No. They would smile politely.”

“So, no change. Why didn’t you tell them?”

“I like to keep them guessing. But I do want them to know you’re special to me.” He held out his hand. “Come dance with me.” He wasn’t asking.

“I don’t know how.”

“It’s easy. Just follow my lead.”

I wouldn’t touch him until we were in the ballroom. With one hand on my hip and the other holding my hand, we joined the flow of dancers. At first, I couldn’t match his steps and it felt as if everyone stared at me as I stumbled along. I ignored the people around me and concentrated on the moves. After a few turns around the floor, I caught on.

Once I found the rhythm, I relaxed. Big mistake. The heat of his touch ignited my magic and other things left unmentioned. He smiled. Moving his hand from my hip to my bare back, he pulled me close.

“I knew you’d look fabulous in that gown, my dear.”

Intent on changing the direction of the conversation, I said, “As per our contract, this counts as an event. Correct?”

His good humor faded. “Asking for a favor already?”

“A small request.”

He gave me a wry smile. “Go on.”

“I’d like a shopping trip to town.”

“Really? You don’t seem the type.”

“I need a few personal things.”

“Winter will fetch anything you need, my dear.”

“Yes, she will. She’s wonderful, but I need a day away from the castle.”

“And from me?”

A rush of desire flooded my senses. I closed my eyes for a moment, pushing the sensation away. “Stop.”

He chuckled. “I’m just encouraging your own emotions. Besides, you’ll give in eventually, my dear.”

Probably, but not tonight. “The trip—”

“You can go, but Winter and half a dozen bodyguards will go with you.”

Not good. “I don’t want to attract attention,” I tried.

“After tonight, there may be a few people who will try to get to me through you.”

Wonderful. “Then I’ll take Winter and Cellina. She can use that sword, right?”

“She learned at school with the rest of us.” His gaze grew distant. “She considers you a threat. Do you really want to spend time with her?”

“Why would I be a threat to her?”

“Because, you’re here with me instead of her.”

“Oh.” That explained a number of things.

“Growing up, I was a prince in name only. Once my father learned of my magic, he appointed my cousin as his heir. These young noble ladies had no interest in me then. Now that I’m king, they’re tripping over themselves to get my attention. I knew Cellina in school. We became very close and I know I can trust her.”

“Why am I here? You can’t trust me.”

“Such honesty, my dear. You’re here because you’re a challenge.”

“When I’m no longer a challenge, will you be here with another lady?”

“Worried?”

“No. Hopeful.”

His grip tightened. I gasped as every inch of my skin tingled. Light-headed, I swayed. He supported me. “Those comments try my patience, and you know what I’m capable of.” We danced for a while in silence. Instead of clearing, my head felt fuzzy, as if I’d had too much wine to drink. Overheated, I glanced at the doors to the garden with longing.

“Something wrong?” Tohon asked.

“I need some fresh air.”

He pulled us from the dance. Releasing his grip, he kept his hand on my back as we headed toward the exit. Right before the open doors, he swung around in front of me and kissed me.

Overwhelmed with sensations, I wrapped my arms around him to keep from falling. His hands stroked my bare arms and back. I was soon lost and the music and ballroom full of dancers faded to nothing.

“Er, excuse me, Your Highness.” A voice pierced the haze. “Hate to bother you…but it’s an urgent matter.”

Logic returned to me when Tohon pulled away. “It better be an emergency, Dewan.” Tohon’s tone held a dangerous edge.

The man cleared his throat. “We’ve gotten some intelligence on Estrid that we need to discuss.”

Tohon still didn’t look happy, but he nodded. “I’ll be right there.” He gazed at me. “Sorry, my dear. Business. Should I return you to your corner?”

“No. I still need that fresh air.”

“Stay in the gardens. And just in case you get any ideas, there are guards all around the perimeter.”

“Too bad ’cause I’d probably get really far in this gown.”

“Sarcasm is another one of those things that try my patience.”

I bit down on my next comment, equally sarcastic. Satisfied, he followed Dewan and I hurried into the garden.

I pulled in deep lung-filling breaths of the night air. My head cleared as my body cooled. A few more of Tohon’s kisses and I would be a drooling mess and unable to help anyone. Walking around the garden, I planned a way to contact Sepp during my shopping trip with Winter and Cellina. I hoped he’d be waiting in a public place so I could give him the signal. He’d been in town for two weeks and should know about the Death Lilys around the wall. Maybe he would arrange a distraction so I could talk to him. Not the best plan, and I was at a loss if I didn’t see him at all, but it was all I had.

Torches blazed, casting a warm glow on early-spring blooms that swayed in the slight breeze. I marveled at the delicate plants nestled between evergreen bushes, ornamental trees and willows fuzzy with velvet catkins. Memories of my childhood flooded. Collecting the willow branches for my mother had been a rite of spring for my siblings. I touched one of the soft white buds. A little zip of magic tingled along my fingers. Odd. I glanced behind me, searching for Tohon. No one.

Then a hand clamped over my mouth as an arm wrapped around my waist. Yanked off the path and into a dense clump of greenery, I didn’t have time to resist.

A familiar voice whispered in my ear. “Easy.”

Various emotions swirled around my heart. From relief to anger to annoyance to fear, to…delight and back. I settled on annoyance as he released me.

I spun around. “Kerrick, what…?” The rest of my question fizzled in my throat as I looked at him. Anger hardened his expression. He must have seen Tohon kissing me. “I can’t avoid his touch altogether. A couple of kisses in two weeks is pretty damn good.”