Belle's laughter faded into a soft curve of her lips calm, confident, and faintly indulgent.
"Very well," she murmured, her voice smooth enough to make the orchestra's strings sound clumsy by comparison. "Anything for my dear disciple."
I tilted my head, grinning. "You say that like you're doing me a favor. You should be honored, dancing with the great me."
A quiet chuckle escaped her, so subtle I almost missed it. "Ah, yes, how could I ever forget? The privilege is all mine."
I placed a hand over my heart, feigning offense. "Finally, some recognition."
She shook her head, a ghost of amusement crossing her face as she stood. The motion alone drew half the room's attention. Her black and silver dress shifted with her movement like a living shadow.
And then she took my offered arm.
That's when the atmosphere changed.
