Lexia loved dancing under the artificial stars with Axis. She’d hardly noticed the striking reflections of the twinkling lights while she’d danced with Gauge and blamed her engrossment on the topic so near to her ambitions for Tempest crops. It had nothing at all to do with the intriguing and mysterious man who she’d been dancing with. Whose cedar scent still lingered on her.

Stupid purple glasses.

“Lexia.”

She beamed up at Axis, floating with him on this nebulous cloud. She was so proud of him for overcoming his public phobia and asking her to dance. “Yes?” Lexia glanced down at the butterfly pinned to his tuxedo and smiled even more. He was so thoughtful.

Axis pulled her closer until he could lean down and whisper in her ear, “You look gorgeous tonight, but I can’t help but wonder what you’ve saved for me under this dress.”

Lexia flushed, and she felt a tingle down to her toes. She couldn’t wait to show him how it all came apart in a slow reveal of lingerie for him, not that the seamstresses had intended it so. It was all a rather pleasant coincidence, but as a fine tremor came over Axis, Lexia knew not to push his fears. Instead of teasing him about it, she said, “I left the front open in case someone challenged me to a duel, and my steam cannon is stored in a well-hidden pocket.”

There was the rich laughter Lexia loved. No one laughed like Axis, and her heart swelled knowing she was responsible for the cherished sound.

Axis changed the subject to work, per usual, but at least they were dancing for it. He said, “You may hear some rumors about yesterday and a factory foreman. Try not to think the worst of me.”

Lexia blinked and shook her head. “I could never think ill of you, Axis, but I would rather hear the news from you. What happened?”

They spent another song with him telling her the story, even the parts which shamed him. Lexia said, “You have nothing to feel ashamed about. I would’ve cast the man in copper.”

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Axis looked like he wanted to kiss her. “You could never do something so cruel.”

For attempting to rape one of her employees? Lexia just might, but Axis thought so highly of her, she didn’t want to disappoint him by repeating her sentiment. Instead, she said, “I insulted our host to his face. A few times.”

Again, Axis laughed. His eyes twinkled with mirth. “I’ll bet you did. I was impressed you could stand to dance with the tyrant for three songs.”

Three songs.

Lexia had found herself so captivated by the topic that she’d danced with him longer than she’d intended. What did that say about Gauge? She shook herself and returned to the conversation. “What will you do about your suspicions? You can’t challenge your father to a duel for sabotaging the factories. Can you?”

Axis frowned with a faraway look in his eyes as if he were imagining something awful. He said, “It’s not like I haven’t thought of it a million times before. Only now, I’m big enough to actually win, and I’m right. Snow would indulge it if not for the unprecedented spectacle.”

After spending even a short time with their host, Lexia could agree.

With a gentle pull, Axis separated them enough so he could meet her eyes again. He said, “I was worried about Snow taking an interest in you.”

Lexia glanced over at her father, who also looked visibly more relaxed at his table. Rhyme gave her a nod as she twirled by. She looked back at Axis. “I was surprised to learn Count Snow had manners. By the way you speak of him, I thought he would sprout horns from his head while we danced.”

The chuckle from Axis rumbled deep in his chest against Lexia.

Still…

She asked, “Do you remember what he was like when we were children? I never would’ve thought he’d grow to be so tall.” Or that he’d have such an infectious smile…

Axis said, “I remember he was sick, and that he never—”

“—Wanted to go home,” Lexia finished.

In a quieter voice, Axis said, “I wonder why.” Perhaps he could sympathize.

“All I know is, if Snow had pulled you any closer, I might’ve challenged him to a duel.”

Or maybe not so much on the friendship thing.

Axis smirked and shook his head in disbelief. “But, and I can’t believe I’m saying this, Snow did help me with one thing.” He stopped dead in the center of the dance floor and reached for his timepiece. “Lexia Tempest, will you spend the rest of your time on this planet with me?”

Lexia didn’t hesitate to take off her timepiece and hand it to Axis. “My time belongs to us.”

Nothing was closer to the truth.