[TAKES PLACE DURING POWERLESS]

• • •

"You've improved since our last lesson, Gray."

A grin waltzes over my lips in the same manner that we move to the time of willow leaves in the breeze. "I might even be better than you, Azer."

He scoffs. "No one is better than me — at anything — but certainly not dancing."

"What a humble prince you are." I click my tongue.

Before Kai can open his mouth to retort, I sweep my low heel against his shin and then step on his foot in accompaniment. His lips morph into a string of swear words.

"My apologies, your highness."

"Save it."

"For when?"

He rolls his eyes, moving his hands back around my waist as we fall back into our waltz. "I don't know," he murmurs, "perhaps the next time you've got a dagger to my throat?"

I almost laugh. "What makes you think there will be a next time?"

"For one thing, it happens to be a bad habit of yours," he murmurs. "And for another thing," he adds, leaning in too close for comfort, "I know you."

My easy grin drops from my lips.

I hate that the words ring true, because I never anticipated — or expected — him to know me.

Truly.

And somehow he does.

As we move to the left and back, our feet weaving in a delicate way, he grins at me. "Speechless?"

"Ignoring you, actually."

He scoffs. "You couldn't ignore me if you tried."

My mouth falls open. "You —"

"Cocky bastard?" he finishes for me. "You've exhausted that name to bits, darling. How about we come up with a new title for me?" He leans in closer, his lips coming close enough that my breath hitches. "I have suggestions."

I purposely step on his foot again as he dips me to the grass and gracefully lifts me back up. He doesn't even wince. Annoyed, I say, "Such as?"

"Dance Instructor Extraordinaire."

"Too lengthy," I decide, "and untrue."

"Hm," he hums. "Dashing Devil?"

"Definite no."

He thinks, tapping a finger to his lips. "The Royal Rascal of Hearts."

I practically choke. "Absolutely not."

Kai huffs. "What would you suggest?"

"Pompous Prince," I offer up.

"Catchy," he concedes, twirling me quickly before grabbing my waist and pulling me back. "Although 'pompous' makes me sound entirely unlikable."

"Well," I say, catching my breath from the ferocious haste of his dancing, "you aren't. Likable, that is."

"And if I was? What would you call me then?"

I think about it for a moment before answering with honesty: "Kai."

His lips twist into a smile. "And what would it take for you to call me that?"

"Being less of a cocky bastard."

He tosses me a sly smile. "I'll work on that, then."