Iris~~

With the dance over, I need to find out what time it is and how long I have till I meet Colton.

I make my way to one of the corners of the room. Finding a spot that's blessedly empty, I lean my head against the wall and close my eyes, not realizing how much I needed the reprieve from dancing.

I sense someone approach.

"There you are."

I open my eyes, finding Jonas at my side. His lips tug upward. "Tired already?" The band begins the next song.

"I've danced with too many of your cousins."

"Which ones? Some are actually rather pleasant."

"Your Order."

"Ahh." He digs his back into the wall, the sleeve of his jacket brushing against the thin fabric covering my arms.

"Did you and . . . Seong-ho plan to match?" It's odd to use his real name.

He looks down, picking at an invisible piece of flint. "We had them made last year for Kerrie-uh. We both liked the fabric and didn't know what the other had chosen until we showed up for the ball. What do you think of it?"

"The jacket?"

"The ball, but I suppose the jacket as well. Are my Zeta and I making a fashion faux pas?"

"I think it's cute you and your cousin want to match."

Underneath the mask his gaze softens. "I know he's not your favorite person."

"You don't have to apologize for liking your family."

"He's not my favorite person either. He's hurt me—not as much as he's hurt you—but I understand somewhat."

I place my hand on his arm. "It's okay."

"I've been trying to find you since I caught a glimpse of you earlier. You must be in high demand tonight."

"Bently wanted to dance, and then Jay-yeon, and Erik."

"Bently?"

"I know. He wanted to talk, but I don't know what he was hoping to accomplish."

He nods but looks wary.

"Did you tell August about me going to France?"

He shakes his head. "No. I've only mentioned it to my parents and Alix and Abella. Who are fine with it by the way."

Something in my gut twists at that announcement.

"Why do you ask?"

I feel warmth staining my cheeks and hope my mask is doing a good job covering it up. "He seemed to know I'd only be here temporarily."

Jonas stiffens. "Don't listen to him. Please. All of my Order think they have the best intentions with their actions, but that doesn't mean they're right." Jonas looks out on the sea of dancers. "Would you honor me with a dance?"

"Of course." When the current song ends, I take Jonas's hand, and we make our way onto the dance floor.

Jonas presses his hand into the small of my back, and I lay a hand on his shoulder. "I don't think you'll know this one."

"Why?"

The music begins, a low bleating melody.

"I don't recognize the song."

"It's from Amoria. At its heart it's just a waltz." Jonas leads me through the beginning, the basic steps. There's a sensuous undercurrent buried within the music. As the music gains speed, Jonas clutches me tighter and sends us out of the waltz steps to go into three tight spins before falling back into the waltz pattern.

"You think you've figured it out?"

"Eight counts of three and then the spins."

He smiles as we sweep across the ballroom. "You're a fast learner."

"Well I do love to dance."

"Did you ever get to do ballet or any other type of dance?"

"No, I would have liked to have given them a try though."

I force back all thoughts of my having to go below the Estate, of discovering the rebel that threatened not only me but Jonas and Erik as well. I focus on the feel of the Preeminence's fingertips at my back, at how they press into my skin, and at the way his chest pushes against mine as he holds me even closer on the spins. This will probably be our last dance together, and I want to savor every second.

As we spin, we send the stars reeling.

"What are they?"

"Amoria's technology is far more advance than Earth's."

I hold his gaze as I step back and he steps forward, the waltz flowing. He is a king caught between two worlds. And if—when I leave, I'll only be able to watch from afar what he'll accomplish.

The song ends but he doesn't bow, and I don't curtsy. We stand there holding each other among the stars that settle around our stillness like a fog.

His eyes drop to my lips.

And it's only me and him, and I want to close that last gap.

The band chimes the midnight hour. I have to get to Colton.

So I press a kiss to Jonas's cheek and step back, offering him a smile. "Thank you for the dance, Preeminence."