Chapter 4

Cassian's gaze trailed slowly up my fingers.

He noticed the desperate look I'd thrown at Valerius.

A flash of violent displeasure darkened his icy gray eyes.

But a second later, he was back to his cold, untouchable self.

"Your readings are flawless." Cassian stepped back, taking some of that lethal pressure with him. "You've done the Night House a great service, Lyra. You are highly valuable."

I let out a massive breath of relief at the praise.

Valerius eagerly stepped up, practically tripping over himself to fawn. "Indeed, My Lord. An incredible honor. After all, everyone in the Eternal City knows you are completely ruthless and have sworn off women. Your special favor toward Lyra proves her talent..."

"Shut up."

Cassian didn't even turn his head. Valerius clamped his mouth shut.

Pale as a ghost, he slinked back into the shadows, barely daring to breathe.

Cassian looked back at me, his tone leaving zero room for argument.

"Eight o'clock tonight. Wait for me at your tower. You will be my date to the Winter Solstice masquerade ball."

My head snapped up, totally stunned. "My Lord, I'm just a low-ranking astrologer, I..."

"It's an order."

He gave me no chance to say no, spinning on his heel and striding out of the hall.

Two hours later.

Eight high-ranking maids marched into my room carrying trays.

"The Lord personally picked this gown for you."

My eyes landed on the tray, and I stopped breathing again.

It was a starry-blue silk gown.

Perfectly tailored, the skirt dusted with crushed silver diamonds.

No fussy lace. No over-the-top frills. It was exactly my secret, specific taste.

What made my blood run cold was the jewelry on the second tray.

A diamond necklace. The pendant was the exact shape of my birthmark. An irregular six-pointed star.

When the maid clasped it around my neck, the diamond sat perfectly in the hollow of my collarbone, hiding my mark completely.

Coincidence. Could this really just be a coincidence?

At eight sharp, a gorgeous carriage bearing the pomegranate crest parked at my tower.

The Lord's banquet hall was dripping in gold, buzzing with chatter.

But when Cassian led me inside, the entire court went dead silent.

Wearing a half-silver mask and a crisp black military dress uniform, he looked like a god of the night.

The music started. Without a word, he pulled me onto the dance floor.

He completely ignored the polite distance expected of nobility.

His massive, burning hand splayed right over my lower back.

Through the thin silk, the heat scorched me, making me shiver. It was so aggressive.

His arm yanked me flush against his hard chest.

Thighs tangling. Hearts beating against each other.

My knees gave out.

Those soul-shaking touches from my memory violently collided with reality.

"Focus, my astrologer."

He lowered his head, his lips brushing my earlobe as if by accident. His hot breath fanned my neck as he spoke.

Electricity flared through my veins. My legs turned to jelly, and I had to grip his shoulders just to stay standing.

"My Lord." A few high-ranking nobles approached, their eyes darting between us with naked curiosity. "Who is this charming lady..."

Cassian didn't answer.

He just tightened his possessive grip on my waist.

Pulling me deeper into his arms, he shot them a lethal glare.

Like a lion warning off scavengers from his mate.

Terrified, the nobles stumbled backward and quickly scattered.

When the song ended, I was gasping for air.

I felt like I was drowning in his dangerous, masculine scent.

"I'm going to get some food." I babbled an excuse and bolted.

Hiding in the farthest corner of the buffet, I grabbed a candied pastry and took a bite, my mind a mess.

I was totally losing it.

If the man in my dream was Valerius, why did he act like nothing happened today?

Why did every single thing Cassian did, every word he said, feel exactly like the guy in my dreams?

Could it be...

No, impossible. He's a godling.

I immediately killed the thought. Maybe I was just a pathetic, desperate girl who fell for every guy she saw?

Just then, a huge shadow swallowed me from behind.

Cassian had snuck up on me.

The entire court was watching us like a spotlight. Everyone was whispering.

He didn't give a damn.

He tipped his head down, his stormy gray eyes locked on mine.

Suddenly, he reached out.

His rough thumb pressed right against the corner of my mouth, wiping away a speck of icing in a shockingly intimate gesture.

The calluses on his finger dragged over my lower lip, sending a violent shiver through me.

Staring at his face, inches from mine, I thought my heart was going to hammer right out of my chest.