CHAPTER 923: A DANCE

Terath’s tone was a perfect blend of sincerity and admiration. It was so convincing that for a fleeting moment, I almost believed it. Lira offered a weak, strained smile, murmuring her thanks.

He then turned to the rest of the girls, giving them a charming, disarming smile. "I love these dances. They’re a timeless and elegant pattern, beautiful in every way, don’t you think? Each song a little world of its own. A set of rules, a set of steps. Those who practice, who master the patterns, glide through it all as if born to it. But what about when the music changes? Those same, familiar steps turn into traps, leading to a stumble, a misstep, a fall. To cling to them after they’ve ceased their purpose would be foolishness, no? When the music changes, so too must the dance, else you risk being left behind."

The last word was directed squarely at Lira. She flinched, her face paling as she took a small step back. Gathering her skirt, she gave him a slight curtsey, then spun on her heel, stalking away. The group of girls followed after her, leaving me alone with the lord.

"You...didn’t have to do that," I mumbled, plucking at my sleeve.

He chuckled, a warm, friendly sound that was at odds with the cold look in his eye. "Perhaps. But I truly wish they’d understand. I don’t want anyone left behind." He cleared his throat, softening. "It pains me to see you looking so forlorn. Would it cheer you up to dance? I promise not to change the music on you," he said, smiling encouragingly.

My fingers closed, gripping my sleeve tightly. "It’s kind of you to ask, but...no thank you. I’m waiting for someone."

"That dark-haired demonkin? Luke, was it?" he mused, nodding to himself. "I see. Then, take care. Try not to get surrounded again."

With a grin to show he was only teasing, he ghosted away, as quiet and graceful as he’d come. I watched after him, before sighing and leaning against the wall again.

"Enjoying the show?" Luke’s familiar, warm voice rumbled beside me.

I jumped, turning to find him standing there, arms crossed. His violet eyes were fixed on the direction Lord Terath had gone, a dark scowl on his face. My stomach did a flip-flop, and my tongue felt thick and clumsy in my mouth. Had he seen the dance? The conversation? Both?

"It wasn’t like that," I protested, a little too quickly, my cheeks flushing. "He was just...being nice."

"Was he?" Luke’s voice was flat, his gaze dropping to me, searching my face. He wasn’t suspicious, or angry, but...worried? "He seemed an ideal partner, yet you still rejected him. I’m hardly his equal, so am I to expect the same?"

The question hung in the air between us. Luke’s tail twitched unnoticed, his hands clenching into fists at his sides. My breath caught as I realized what he was asking. Something I’d expected, yet now that it was happening....

"Luke...are you asking me to dance?"

He clasped his hands together, the swish of his tail growing more agitated. "I...Elise said that...it’s something people do. At things like this. And I would like to...with you."

"I’d like that," I whispered, my voice barely audible.

My hand trembled as I placed it in his outstretched one. His fingers were strong and calloused, enveloping my small fingers in warmth.

"Really?" His tail stilled as he stared at me, lips parted. "I mean, er...good, because I hadn’t planned on what to do if you said no," he admitted, risking a smile.

He took a deep breath and, with a confidence I knew neither of us felt, led me onto the dance floor. The music was seamless, one song flowing into the other. Couples came and went as they wished, so it caused little stir when we joined in the middle of a song. We stood awkwardly, not quite meeting each other’s gazes, but neither of us felt comfortable starting in the middle, unsure of which step to take or what would come next.

But, even after all the waiting, I wasn’t ready when the song ended, and a new one took its place. It was slow and harmonic, with a simple chord progression I’d studied under Anrynth countless times. Taking a deep breath, I looked into Luke’s eyes, seeing my own timidity reflected within.

Luke’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed. His hand trembled slightly as it settled on the curve of my waist, his calloused fingers brushing against the bare skin exposed by the slit in my dress. Instinct took over, and I placed my free hand on his shoulder, the other remaining clasped in his. He tensed beneath my touch, his tail going rigid. All around us, the other elves began to move, gliding into the first step of the dance. With a deep breath, Luke took the lead, and we followed, our movements stiff and measured.

Hours of practice with Anrynth guided my feet. I knew the steps, the patterns, the turns. I had memorized them to the point they were as natural as breathing. Executing them in practice was another matter altogether, but Luke didn’t seem to notice my mistakes, even when I accidentally stepped on his toes. Given the natural strength of his body, he probably didn’t even feel it.

I wouldn’t have felt so self-conscious if Luke’s movements were so smooth and graceful. It reminded me of Terath, the smooth, easy step of one who’d trained their body to a razor’s edge. Even when he began the wrong step, he was able to correct with a grace that left me wondering if he’d misstepped at all.

"You should relax," Luke murmured, gazing at me with his solemn, violet eyes. "That’s what Elise kept saying. Stop thinking about the steps, she said. Just let the music guide you."

"I’m trying," I mumbled, my blush deepening. "But you keep looking at me."

"I can’t help it," he admitted, "It’s...hard to look anywhere else."

The breath hitched in my throat, my heart fluttering wildly even though I knew he was just saying that. I mean, where else was he supposed to look during a dance?

But his saying that triggered something in me, and I let the tension go, soothing my tail. The familiar, exciting sensations I’d grown to love became more apparent: the swish of my skirt, the tug of my hair, and the warm, guiding grip Luke held on me. It was strange, giving control to someone else. Luke decided where we went, what move we were doing, and even the rhythm of our steps. And yet, I felt more free on that dance floor, in his arms, than I had traveling with Fable across the entire world.

"You’re good at this," Luke murmured, releasing my waist and twirling me about. Tingles raced across my skin when his hand returned, pulling me flush against him. "You must have worked really hard."

"Anrynth is a good teacher," I whispered, my eyes fixed on his collarbone, unable to meet his gaze after his compliment. My tail swished behind me, a slow, steady rhythm that matched the music.

"Perhaps," he said, and I risked a glance up. A faint smile played on his lips, softening the hard lines of his face. "But you’re a better dancer than me."

I looked at him, my lips twitching into a smile despite my embarrassment. "That’s not true. I keep messing up."

"Not that," he said, his thumb tracing circles on my side. "I just meant that your movements feel genuine. I may be doing the steps, but you’re dancing. It’s beautiful."

My blush deepened. "Thanks," I said, my voice so soft he probably didn’t hear me.

We fell into silence, enjoying the final few minutes and the warmth of each other’s touch. When the song ended, his grip on my hand slackened, and his fingers slipped from my hip. I bit my lip, refusing to let him go, to let this end so soon.

"Another one?" I asked in a small, bashful voice.

Luke’s violet eyes widened, but he nodded, taking my waist again. The next song was a little faster, but we slipped into the rhythm easily, far more comfortable than before. I noticed Luke was more confident in his lead, guiding me through more complex twirls and turns that left me breathless and clinging to him. I wasn’t sure if that was his intention, but I certainly wasn’t complaining.

The dance second dance melded into a third, and then another, and another. Counting them no longer seemed important, nor did how long we’d been out there. The other couples came and went, but we didn’t seem to care. I was too lost in the moment, in Luke’s embrace.

As the song ended, I looked around, finding Luke had led us to the edge of the dance floor, by the beginning of the wide, spiraled staircase. He released my waist, and I his shoulder, but our hands never parted.

"You’re looking a little pale. Want to get some air?" he asked, giving me a worried look.

"Please," I breathed, nodding. Despite my reluctance to let the moment go, I couldn’t deny we’d passed the time I should have stopped to rest. My feet ached from standing for so long, and I was panting lightly, trying to catch my breath.

Taking my hand, he led me from the Zenith Gallery and out onto one of the silk-draped balconies overlooking the sprawling gardens and courtyards of the Ellenwinter Estate. The sun was setting, casting long, golden rays that illuminated the forest city below. The height made my head spin, and I instinctively took a half-step closer to him. He squeezed my hand reassuringly.

We stood there for a while, gazing over the city. I yawned, my head leaning toward Luke, when his tail suddenly brushed mine. I shivered, glancing down and seeing it twitching anxiously. I looked up, suddenly unsure myself, only to find him looking at me with somber eyes.

"Xiviyah...there’s something I’ve been lying to you about."