I was almost at the main banquet hall behind the villa when my steps slowed. Through the slightly ajar door, I could see several guests gathered in small groups, whispering and occasionally glancing toward the entrance.

I knew what they were talking about. Or rather, who. After the commotion between Kael Draven and Cassian Thorne during the earlier party, the rumor had spread like wildfire. Everyone knew—or at least assumed—that Kael had whisked away a drunk woman from Cassian’s arms. And ...