"And that," Ari said, "is why you need to drink first. And although I can't punch, Drake, I can stab, if I have to. Aspel made me a very nice dagger not too long ago." She offered a sweet smile. "Altogether, I think the singing to be the least harmful of pursuits, don't you?" And never mind that her songs were lethal in their own way, when she wanted them to be.
She turned back to Cressida and asked, "Well, what do you think? Is the wine to your liking?" she asked. The musicians in the corner struck up another merry tune and she tapped her foot. "Do you dance?" she asked, suddenly inspired. "Drake will never dance with me unless I blackmail him."