He pulled me flushed against his chest in perfect unison as the other dancers, one hand on the small of my back while the other held my right hand out to the side. “Just keep your eyes on mine, I shall carry you.”

So I did. I locked my gaze on his and held it there as he moved my body around the dance floor. Even when I spun, I snapped my gaze right back to his. For a few minutes we danced and for the first time I understood that scene in Pride & Prejudice when the rest of the room disappeared and Elizabeth only saw Mr. Darcy. I’d seen that movie a hundred times, yet this moment was the one where I understood that scene. Because while there were a hundred eyes on me, I saw only him.

Too soon the music stopped. We were chest to chest. I was breathing heavily. My skin was flushed and hot. Sweat trickled down my spine. His hand on the small of my back was burning a hole through three layers of fabric. His gaze slid down to my chest then up to my throat. I licked my lips, drawing his attention to my mouth.

A new song began.

I must’ve made quite the face because Everest smirked and spun me toward Sweyn’s throne. With his hand on the small of my back still, he escorted me back. I did not miss the way Sweyn’s eyes narrowed on us. I knew she was a bit of a jealous woman and we’d just put on more of a show than we probably should have. But I’d never danced with him like that. Elizabeth Bennet was right: dancing was best for flirting, and my partner was far more than tolerable. When I got home, he was going to teach me these dances. I would teach all of Edenburg.

“Do you know where the missing page is located?” Everest asked in my mind.

It caught me by surprise though, so I managed to snag my bare toe on the step that led up to Sweyn’s throne. Pain speared through my toe and into my foot. My balance abandoned me, and I fell forward. Everest caught me with an arm snaked around my waist. He lifted me back to my feet.

“No tengo gracia,” I grumbled as he held me still.

To my surprise, Sweyn giggled. “An uncoordinated pretty face. Tell me, tickling, how long have you had your fangs? Everest, what did you see?”

“She is brand new to our way of life, my Queen. She has not yet adjusted.”

She gasped. “A baby tickling. What a present for me. Fear not, pretty María, I shall show the way. Have you had anything to . . . drink yet?”

I shook my head before I realized what she meant. “Oh. Sí, sí lo he hecho.”

“I shall fetch a glass of wine for our tickling⁠—”