Livia glanced back to find Corvin coming toward them. Livia studied the set of Ancus’ shoulders and the grim lines on his face and realized he was preparing to be yelled at. She didn’t think Corvin would, but Ancus had known him longer.

“Ancus,” Corvin said. “Did you roll your ankle with that trick?”

“Don’t think so,” he said, voice flat.

“Anything I can do?” Corvin asked.

“Livia offered to get ice already,” he said, but that flirtatious lilt returned to his voice. Livia wondered why he’d provoke Corvin.

Corvin rolled his eyes. “Well?”

“Well, what?” Ancus asked, confused.

“Do you need ice or not?” Corvin demanded, voice short but not sharp.

“No, I don’t.” Ancus made a move to jump down.

Corvin stopped him with a firm hand on his shoulder. “Let me check them before you make the damage worse?”

Ancus sighed.

Corvin grasped his right foot in his hand and pulled and rolled it in several directions. “How’s that?”

“Not any better,” Ancus quipped.

Corvin’s gaze shot up to his, displeased.

“But not any worse,” Ancus conceded.

“Good.” Corvin moved to his next foot with a similar result. He held out his hand and helped Ancus jump down.

Ancus winced at first, but his face cleared quickly. He let out a heavy sigh. “Sorry, Cor.”

Corvin clasped a hand over the back of his shoulder. Corvin gave Ancus a direct look that the shorter man shrank away from. “Take it down a notch, huh?”

Ancus nodded. “You know I’m harmless.”

“Not everyone is familiar enough with you to know that—” Corvin’s eyes slid over to Livia.

Livia’s cheeks warmed with embarrassment.

Ancus looked thoughtful. “Didn’t consider that, but I’ll be playing the lyre for Hyrum sometime soon. You’re invited.”

Corvin smiled. He released Ancus and took a step away from him, relaxed. “It’s been years, hasn’t it?”

“Years,” Ancus confirmed.

“Too many years,” Corvin said.

Relief flooded Ancus’ expression.

“I think you two have the bells next,” Corvin gestured with his chin.

Corvin stopped Livia with a gentle touch on her elbow. “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine. He’s been kind,” she said. “You don’t need to scold him.”

Corvin smiled. “He really is harmless, but sometimes he has an inappropriate sense of humor—”

“I think I have questions about ice?” Livia whispered, clearly showing her confusion.

Corvin failed to contain a laugh. “We’ll have that talk. For sure.”

“Why—”

“Later.”

Salina took the opportunity to thread her arm through Corvin’s. Livia was surprised that she wore a loose, flowing gown. It was more her style to wear something that showed off her curves. Livia didn’t know if it was how Salina had styled her hair, but her cheeks seemed rounder. Maybe she’d put on some weight and was embarrassed. Livia didn’t judge her on that score. Being an intern for TARP was stressful and fast-paced. So it wasn’t a surprise Salina had put on some pounds. Salina pasted on a smile and directed it at Livia. “Yes, we’ll see you later, Livia.”

Livia rolled her eyes at being dismissed this way. Corvin barely contained a frustrated look, but catching a glimpse of it gave Livia all the confidence in the world.

Livia caught up with Ancus, who was waiting for her to catch up. “He really has changed,” he mused.

“Has he?” Livia asked.

“We haven’t interacted much since he went through rehab. I refused to help him stop drinking. I wasn’t a good friend.”

“Ah, that’s why you no longer saw each other.”

“Yeah, but I got forced into being sober.”

“Forced?”

“Got a DUI, and my parents flipped. I wasn’t an alcoholic, but forcing me into sobriety for six months made it clear I was self-medicating. I went to counseling and… it’s a better life. A sober life is a better life. I drink on Christmas and Easter, and that’s it.”

Livia felt awkward giving her approval since he was basically a stranger to her. “I’m glad you are happier now.”

They got caught up in arranging the bells in the correct order, so they made a proper musical scale. Ancus was a lot better at the game than Livia. She liked music, but she had little experience making any herself. Livia was ready to go home when the games were all done, but they had a frivolous awards ceremony.

They awarded Ancus and Livia with the most “heel-dropping” performance, which wasn’t overtly antagonistic but still slightly embarrassing. Livia’s cheeks were warm as they went up to accept their certificate and get a picture together. Ancus gave Livia an enthusiastic high five.

“They had to make an entirely new category for us. So we’re heel-dropping and innovative,” he bragged.

Livia laughed. At least Ancus was pleased with it. He could have treated her much worse throughout the evening, but he’d been unfailingly kind and supportive. Livia was grateful for his easygoing nature and humor.

The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

She placed her hand on the back of his arm briefly. “You’ve made it a pleasant evening. Thank you.”

Ancus smiled at her, pleased. “You’re welcome, Liv. It was a pleasure to get to know you.”

Livia looked for Corvin, wishing she could exit with him by her side and the evening could end. After several more awards, Corvin and Salina were nominated as the best couple. Salina was glowing with happiness and tried to pull Corvin’s hand into hers for the pictures. Corvin stubbornly refused and kept his hands in his pockets.

Salina slipped her hand around his elbow so the pictures gave the impression they were together. Livia tried not to let this spectacle get to her and failed. She felt her flaws and shortcomings at that moment keenly. She remembered Irene saying that Salina deserved Corvin more than her, and Livia wondered if everyone here thought the same thing. Maybe they were even correct. Maybe Corvin and Salina would do better together. Livia barely understood Caesarea, and the people around her did. Perhaps they knew Livia’s and Corvin’s relationship was doomed for disaster before it even began.

The crowd started chanting, “Kiss her! Kiss her! Kiss her!”

Salina’s countenance brightened. She turned to Corvin eagerly with a hopeful look. Livia’s heart sunk straight to her toes. She didn’t want Corvin to kiss Salina, but she wasn’t heartless enough to want Salina utterly humiliated. Though, logically, she should. Salina would be gleeful to see Livia humiliated. Instead, each second that passed was an agonizing anticipation of emotional pain.

Corvin looked furious. “I’m tired of these ridiculous games,” he snapped.

He turned to Salina, pulled her face into his hands, tilted her head downward, and kissed her on the top of her head like she was his two-year-old grandchild.

“There’s your kiss,” he declared. Then he strode across the room, grabbed his coat, and exited the doors before he even put it on.

The room was silent and full of awkward embarrassment. There were guilty looks exchanged and shamed faces that showed they knew they had pushed Corvin too far. Livia wondered if it was worse that Corvin gave Salina a patronizing kiss over no kiss.

Salina’s eyes were shiny with tears, and she looked like a single word would send her into sobs. In contrast, Livia felt oddly calm as she asked Ancus, “Do they know Corvin and I are dating?”

Ancus looked at her, his words delivered with a deep sigh. “Yes. We all know you’re negotiating matched papers. However, no one is sure if it’s a match of mutual attraction or emotionless convenience. Those that believe the latter would claim they were doing Corvin a favor by interfering.”

“But Corvin does not like Salina—” Livia said.

Ancus sighed. “But she likes him, and they are her friends.”

“And I’m a rogue, so my feelings don’t matter,” Livia’s voice grew louder as anger overtook her. “And neither does my future or my security! And we can’t have Taurus House surviving now, can we? Because their friendship with Salina is more important than the existence of an entire House!”

And suddenly, Livia didn’t care what people thought about her suitability for Corvin. She deserved to survive; anyone who believed differently could go to hell.

Ancus stared at her, shocked. “I’m sure they didn’t think—”

“Because they’re no longer here? It’s shameful they’d forget!”

Ancus looked at his shoes. There was complete silence in the room as everyone stared at Livia. She followed Corvin’s example, grabbing her coat before she stomped out in a rage.

Livia had to text Corvin to find him. He wasn’t visible in the crowds. He’d found an abandoned bench on the side of the basilica Sempronia. He held out a hand to her as she approached. “Come here, Liv. Come sit next to me.”

She felt a rush of relief that she was welcome. She draped her cloak along the back of the bench and sat down next to Corvin. His arm wrapped around her shoulders, pulling her against his side.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

Livia took a moment to gauge how she was doing. His touch wasn’t as irritating as she expected. She could sense her skin was cool, and his fingers matched the temperature of her skin. She closed her eyes and allowed herself to relax. A sensation of comfort rushed over her, and she rested her cheek on Corvin’s shoulder.

He pulled her even closer and ran his fingers down her arm. “Is that uncomfortable, Liv?” he asked.

“No,” she whispered.

Corvin cupped his palm around her arm and brushed his touch upward again. Livia liked that even better. It didn’t feel light and ticklish but bold and protective.

“That’s better,” she whispered.

“Umhmm, I’ve heard,” he said.

“From who?” Livia asked.

“Uncle Lucius gave me some advice,” Corvin said. He ran his full hand down her arm again, slow and smooth.

Livia melted against him as a feeling of security washed over her. Honestly, that felt nothing short of miraculous. Physical contact making her feel safe? Had she stepped into another dimension? Was this even real? Corvin pressed his forehead to her temple. “You didn’t answer my question, Hun.”

“What question?”

“Are you okay?” he repeated.

“Shouldn’t I be asking you that?”

Corvin sighed. “I’m still mad at Salina, but I’m happier now that I’m with you.”

“I like being here with you, too,” Livia said. “That scene back there wasn’t pleasant.”

Corvin drew back to look her in the face. “I’m sorry, Liv. I should have suspected they’d do that. I should have prepared—”

“How would you have prepared for that?” Livia asked. “That sounds ridiculous.”

Corvin’s eyes grew distant, and his brow furrowed. “I could have called in a few favors and—”

Livia put a finger over his lips. “Corvin, they shouldn’t have done that to you. Full stop. It’s not your fault.”

Corvin’s eyes snapped back into focus and rested on Livia’s face. Livia removed her finger from his lips. A sheen of moisture covered his eyes. “They’ve done that to me since I was a teenager. Usually, I don’t mind, but this time…it meant I might lose you. I don’t want to lose you, Liv.”

“You haven’t lost me, Corvin,” she said. She wanted to ask him if he’d come to his senses yet, and realized what everyone already saw, that this relationship wasn’t smart. She was too much of a coward, though. Too selfish. If Corvin wanted her, Livia would give herself to him.

“What are you thinking, Fabulous?” Corvin whispered.

Livia could tell him her worries. Her eyes fell on his lips, or she could kiss him. Right now, kissing him seemed less scary, which was rare. So, she leaned in and gave him a skittish kiss, gone almost as soon as it was given.

Corvin smiled. “Try that again, Liv.”

Livia gave him another barely happened kiss, heart pounding. She took a shaky breath to ease her nerves.

Corvin encouraged her, “Again, Hun.”

Feeling foolish, she leaned in a third time, but before she could flinch away, Corvin gently grasped her chin. Livia could have broken from his grasp easily. Instead, she stayed the way he wanted, letting her lips linger against his.

She pulled away slowly, heat rising in her cheeks. Corvin met her shy look with a warm grin. “How was that?” she breathed.

“Perfect,” he said.

Livia shook her head, laughing. “You’ve had better. Admit it.”

“A gentleman would do no such thing,” Corvin said, acting offended.

“It’s true—”

“Hush,” Corvin interrupted. “I’m with you. That’s all I want. All I need.”

Livia shook her head, disbelieving.

Corvin eased her closer. “We’re just beginning, Hun. Believe in us.”

Livia inhaled and closed her eyes. She wanted this to work out. She wanted to believe in them. Was that all they needed? Maybe it could be enough. She opened her eyes and studied Corvin’s face.

“I want to believe,” she whispered.

Corvin leaned in and placed a lingering kiss on her cheek. Then he pulled away to place a similar kiss on her other cheek. Corvin ran his palms down her arms slowly, then back up.

Livia’s nerves eased as that sensation of security settled over her shoulders again. Corvin leaned in and placed his lips softly over hers the same way he had kissed her cheeks. Livia expected it and relaxed into it. What a pleasure to experience a kiss that felt so natural, so easy. Even better, there was no sense of disbelief or sensation of unreality.

It felt real—the security, the comfort, and the pleasure were equal for both her mind and body simultaneously. Livia had never felt so whole or at home in herself. Corvin moved to ease away. Livia clung to him, pulling him back, and extended the kiss.

Then she realized what she’d done. She broke away. “I’m sorry…oh, if you want to stop?”

Corvin laughed. He sounded happy. “Livia, please, don’t stop.”

“Don’t stop?” she repeated.

Corvin pulled her close for another kiss. Livia tilted her head back, lifted her lips to his eagerly—

“Corvin!”

The urgent shout sent a shock wave of panic through Livia’s system. She jerked away from Corvin’s embrace to look at who shouted. Silvanus was jogging toward them. People were following him. Were they going to be angry? Were they going to try and hurt Corvin and Livia?

“Is that Livia with you?” he asked.

“It’s Livia,” Corvin yelled back.

“Oh good,” Silvanus said, relieved. “I’ve got the girls with me. Now that we’re all together let’s go home.”

Livia exhaled a sigh of relief. Corvin grasped her hand and helped her stand. “Don’t forget your cloak, Liv. It’ll be a lot more chilly up top.”