Page 61 of Shadow Wings
“This is how you should dance.” I held my elbows in and slid to the side and then shook my hands as though flicking offwater.
Dyter better not be laughing over there, or I wasbusted.
“This . . . is how you dance inVerald?”
I kept my expression smooth. “What? You don’t like it?” I bent in half to touch my toes and then waved my arms at either side, flicking my hair back. I closed my eyes and swayed. “Feel the music,Kamoi.”
“Feel the music,” he repeateduncertainly.
I opened my eyes and saw he was replicating my arm movements. Laughter burst out of me, and I doubled over as I gasped forair.
“You were jesting!” heaccused.
I glanced over at Dyter to see he was slapping the table, heartily ignoring the queen and her mate who had turned to glare athim.
Kamoi joined in my laughter. “Thank the realm; I thought you wereserious.”
I waved a hand in the air, walking back to the royaltable.
“You no longer wish to dance?” he asked, followingme.
I gestured at the corset. “Can no longerbreathe.”
It was partially my fault that he looked where I’d gestured, Isupposed.
“Yes,” he gulped. “I seethat.”
I blushed and then yelped as Kamoi lunged at me, jerking me out of the way as a flying fruit skewer soared past mycheek.
His face hardened, and he pushed me behind him, shouting, “Who threwthat?”
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The prince drewhis sword and held the hilt in two hands, head turning as he scanned the now-milling Phaetyn at the party. His voice was low and menacing as he asked again, “Who threwthat?”
Who cares?It was a bit of fruit on a little metal skewer. No harm done. I stepped to the side of Kamoi, trying to put distance between us for appearances. Tensions were high; I didn’t want to cause any further problems with thePhaetyn.
Kaelan was storming toward us, and I alerted Kamoi with a fleeting touch on hisarm.
“How dare you make a mockery of us,” Kaelan snapped, his eyes flashing more indigo than violet. He marched past the next table, stooped to pick up another fruit stick. “You are adisgrace—”
“Father—”
Was he for real?“Hey,” I said, bringing my hands up as he threw the fruit skewer. My block worked, and the fruit fell to the ground.Yay for Drae-reflexes. “I meant no offense. We were justdancing.”
Kaelan drew his sword, his face twisted and his lips white with fury. I was more than familiar with this look now after my visits with the trees. Odd how hatred looked the same on Druman, Kings, andPhaetyn.
Kamoi stepped in front of me as his father advanced. In a whisper that was heard throughout the clearing and with a dazed expression, he repeated, “Father.”
Kaelen halted his thunderous approach, but his eyes were mere slits as he looked at me. “Move son, or I will move youmyself.”
The prince didn’t budge. “No, this isn’t right. She’s not to blame for what’s happeninghere.”
“Very well,” Kaelen said. Holding his blade in the air, breathing hard, he said, “Round themup!”
The royal guards in purple and silver aketons stepped from behind the trees with swords and spears at the ready. Some of the seated Phaetyn screamed, and they began to scramble from their tables, turning the gathering into a chaoticstampede.
The royal guards in the clearing drew theirweapons.