Page 111 of Modern Romance May 2026 Books 5-8
“Oh.” Her laugh is a little more strained this time. “Sorry.”
“It’s okay. Busy night.”
But I can see he’s digging. He doesn’t believe we’re engaged. Part of me wants to tell him. But the fewer people that know, the better.
He turns to Seraphina. “Would you like to dan—”
“Sorry, little brother.” I clap him on the shoulder. “The first dance belongs to me.”
“What was that about?” Seraphina asks as I lead her onto the floor.
“He’s being a nosy little brother.” I turn and capture one of her hands in mine, slide the other behind her back to her shoulder blade. “And an outrageous flirt.”
Seraphina chuckles. “Yes, I noticed that about him.”
I frown. “Oh?”
“When he’d come into the office, he was always very charming.”
“I see.”
“He never did anything inappropriate,” she hastens to assure me.
I still don’t like the thought of Cassian flirting with her, of looking at her the way I look at her.
I follow the steps she taught me on the terrace in Cassis. Just like that night, I sweep her into a spin, savor the sound of her laugh as we twirl.
“I love the way the skirt of this dress flares out,” she says as we resume our box step. “It looks like dancing fire.”
“How did you get into fire dancing?”
She doesn’t answer for so long I wonder if she heard me or if she’s just not comfortable answering. But then, finally, she speaks.
“I started at Obsidian just to dance. After the trial, I struggled with my self-image. I’d see the fading bruises and hate my body, hate that I was so weak I saw myself as broken, undeserving.”
My chest tightens. The fury I usually reserve for New Field and its owner rears up, sends a quick spurt of anger flowing through. But her words resonate through me, too. It’s like hearing a playback of my own internal thoughts.
“Dancing started to help me feel more secure again. One day I saw another fire dancer. It was incredible the way she moved, the way she balanced art and fire.” She smiles. “The first time I lit a staff, I felt…powerful. It was dangerous, but I could control it. Practice, commitment. I loved having that sense of control again, of knowing I could wield it as I combined it with dance. And,” she adds with a mischievous smile, “it’s fun. Maybe you can take a class with me when we get back to New York.”
“I already took a dance lesson from you.”
“Just once, and if you hate it, I won’t ever bring it up again.”
The music slows. We stop our box step and simply sway to the music. As I hold her close. I realize this is the most I’ve enjoyed any of the masquerades.
And ignore that vicious whisper that reminds me next year I’ll be alone once more.
Seraphina
I pluck a flute of champagne off a passing tray and take a long drink. The palazzo is warm and my dress, despite the filmy material, is starting to stick to my back.
“Congratulations on your engagement.”
I start and nearly drop my champagne. I whirl around, letting out a relieved sigh when I come face-to-face with Dominic.
“Good evening, Mr. Hawke.”
“Just Dominic. After all, we’re going to be family.”
