Stephen takes her hand and settles into position across from her, practiced and smooth. He’s better with formal dance and more accustomed to her own movements than the last time they did this, having settled even further into Thedas and its rituals, wearing it like another mantle.

It makes for some well-needed privacy as they take to the floor, away from the hovering crowds and onlookers with their drinks; there’s a safe distance between them and each other moving couple.

“Another cousin?” he asks, a polite nudge, cracking the door open to let Gwenaëlle talk about it. He already suspects there’s something else lurking beneath; she’d always been warmer and more open about mentioning Thomas and Raoul, only fondly irritated by them if anything.