“Forgive my scotchy manners, but it seems I’ve impressed the Lady of the East,” he said to his audience. Zane took a step forward, and I linked my arm through his before he started wandering in circles trying to find me.

“They loved my merry story. Shame on you for stealing me from them,” he said.

“They all left,” I lied. “You were just telling your story to the air.”

“You’re just jealous.” He tugged my arm to bring me closer. “But it’s nice to hear you with some cheer after the attack this morning. I…” He bit his injured lip and the laughter fizzled away. “Helen, I didn’t know how to find you when they came. I could only do what I was told and hope that Eliot had gone back for you.”

“I know.” I scanned the couples for Eliot. “But I’m fine.”

“Are you?” Zane asked.

“Am I what?”

“Fine.”

The silence went on too long as I opened my mouth and closed it again. “I’m fine.”

Zane tilted his head in my direction. He took my sides and I tried to navigate us, but we still brushed up against other couples, got in their way, stepped on toes, and everything else clumsy and awkward. With each new bump, Zane’s smirk widened.

“It’s too bad you can’t see. If you could, you’d realize I’m a great dancer now,” I said.

His grin cracked wide open. “Lying Trite.”

“Show-off Rime.”

He twirled me beneath his arm.

“Grumpy,” he whispered into my ear.

“Rude,” I shot right back.

“Hmm. I suppose that’s fair.” He caught my waist when I came around and we slowed to a stop. His amusement faded, a breeze slipping between us. “Liar,” he said again, letting the word hang in the air.

I stared, my smile disappearing too. “Hypocrite.”

Zane’s jaw shifted. “Why am I a hypocrite, Trite? You’re the one who keeps telling me you’re fine when you haven’t been for a good measure.”

I looked down at the snow.

“I know you went to the Hall of Knowledge in the Scarlet City. And I know you attacked Jolly Cheat because you were so upset about what you found there,” I said. “I know you’re not fine either.”

Zane’s face changed. The silence that followed was heavy.

“My troubles are personal,” he finally said.

“So are mine.”

He shut his mouth, the flickering candlelight reflecting off his cheeks. Couples glided around us when we didn’t move.

After several moments, Zane released a heavy sigh. “Bloody Wanda,” he muttered. His fingers slipped off my waist and fell to his sides. “You’re right. I’ve kept a measure of things from you,” he said. “There are some things about me I hope you never bloody find out. It’s a scotchy mess and I want to sort it out on my own.”