He lowered his head, his lips hovering near her ear. “You and Prince Dexter don’t want to marry one another, do you?” She tried to put some distance between them, but he gripped her tighter. His fingers dug into her back, making her wince. “You’re only forging this alliance to maintain peace. But not everyone desires peace.”

“Lord Robert,” Reid said, her words calm and smooth even though her insides boiled with rage. “You overstep your place.” When she stopped dancing, they stood on the dance floor and stared at one another.

His smile was condescending. “Perhaps you are the one overstepping yours.”

Her natural reaction was to punch him in the face. However, she couldn’t behave in such a manner when surrounded by Axian’s esteemed guests. She settled for sliding her hand over Robert’s shoulder until her thumb hovered on a pressure point. When she opened her mouth to reply, she felt a subtle shift in the air.

Robert focused above Reid’s head. “This is a dangerous game you’re playing,” he said, addressing the person behind her.

“Release my fiancée.” Dexter’s commanding voice sounded furious.

Robert’s lips slyly curved. “I haven’t yet finished my dance with her.” His grip on Reid tightened.

She dug her thumb into his shoulder, right on his pressure point. He jerked in surprise, immediately releasing her. She took a step back, bumping into Dexter. “I’m sorry, Lord Robert, but I have finished my dance with you.”

Dexter chuckled, draping his arm around her shoulders. “Thank you for celebrating with us,” he said mockingly before turning to face Reid, effectively dismissing Robert.

Sneering, Robert stalked off.

Reid’s heartbeat went into overtime as she peered into Dexter’s warm eyes. Instead of speaking, he slid one hand to her waist while his other gently took hers, enveloping it. About to take a step, she remembered it wasn’t her job to lead. It was his.

He took the step forward, and they started dancing to the slow music.

Reid felt delicate next to this tall, burly man. She wasn’t used to the feeling, and it unnerved her. “Why are you staring at me like that?” she asked, flustered by his intense attention.

“I’m sorry Lord Robert was so forward with you,” Dexter mumbled. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.” She had to crane her neck to speak to him. “It was nothing I couldn’t handle.”

“Obviously.” He raised an eyebrow. “It’s hard to remember how you were raised when you look like this.”

“I only feel exceptionally short when I’m next to you.” When she glanced away, she spotted Gytha watching them, the warrior woman’s face devoid of emotion.