As people finished eating, plates magically were cleared from the tables. After the last dish was gone, the tables themselves disappeared, and there was an open dance floor. People began to congregate in cliques, or surround the sides of the room. A few brave young Fae jumped onto the dance floor and were mingling. Every unmated Fae here would be looking for their mate, especially the new initiates, so it was common for them to spend a lot of time getting to know one another in the chance that they might be mates. I stood off to the side with my mother and Alan.
"Helen, let's dance." Alan held out his hand to my mother. I swear she blushed! And she graciously accepted his hand. I groaned inwardly at being left alone again, but smiled at how sweet they were. I was glad to see my mother so happy. They waded out onto the dance floor. I swayed lightly on my feet to the music, and nursed a glass of wine in my hand. I stood near the far wall and tried to look inconspicuous.
"May I have this dance?" I jumped as a voice sounded in my ear. I met ice blue eyes as my hand was grasped, and I was pulled towards the dance floor. For a moment I almost protested, and went to pull my hand back.
"Ah, but it would be rude to say no, wouldn't it? Everyone is watching." He smirked and whispered, staring into my eyes. I glared at him and let him lead me the rest of the way to the dance floor. I felt eyes on us as he pulled me into his arms, one hand placed lightly around my waist, and the other with my hand in his.
His hard, muscled body pressed against me, and I could smell the sweet whiskey and clove scent of his cologne. His fingers burned the small of my back, and he pressed my hips firmly against his as he spun me. I could feel the envious daggers of various women piercing my back. I placed my free palm against his chest and tried to create a little space between us. It only succeeded in me feeling his heart beat rapidly against my hand.
"You look more put together than when I last saw you." I smirked up at him, nodding at his appearance. He had the decency to blush and he placed his lips near my ear as he whispered to me.
"You definitely look more delectable than when I last saw you." His lips grazed my ear and I shivered. He dipped me back as the music swayed and his nose ran down the column of my throat, to between my breasts as I leaned back. He lifted me up again and my nose was inches away from his.
"I don't know if you drunkenly stumbling into my room whilst escaping from a secret rendez-vous is meant to endear you to me, your highness." I fluttered my lashes at him. Looking to tease him a little, I dragged my now sharp nails lightly down his chest. I felt his chest rumble in a low growl. He placed his hand over mine.
"I wasn't drunk. It had just been a long night. And how can you blame me for anyone I met before you! That's just unfair." He pouted, and I laughed. His eyes softened as he heard the sound.
"Well, your highness. You seem to have quite the fan club, I'm sure you won't be lonely for long." I winked and whirled as he spun me. When we came back together we were once again pressed close. His hand strayed dangerously low on my hip.
"I don't think I've had my fill of you yet, little tiger. Tell me your name." He whispered, and I felt his lips graze the column of my neck. I trembled. I looked away from the intensity of his eyes. A large hand tapped him on his shoulder. I looked over to see Kellen standing behind Rayne. He bowed to the prince and held his hand out toward me.
"Excuse me, your highness. Would you mind if I cut in and steal the lady for a dance?" Kellen fluidly spoke. As Rayne and I had already been dancing for a while, and there were plenty of eligible women waiting to dance with him, he had no reason to say no. He seemed to be biting the inside of his cheek as he nodded, and handed me over to Kellen. Kellen whirled me away from the prince and wrapped his arms around my waist.
"You looked like you needed rescuing." Kellen chuckled softly and looked into my eyes. I smiled up at him and we swayed to the music. It wasn't the flowery maneuvers that Rayne had been pulling, but it was sweet and rhythmic.
"Thank you." I said. "He can be...overwhelming." I tried to put it politely. Kellen laughed outright and held my hand in his as we swayed.
"That's one way to put it. He's always been a little bit of a wild card." Kellen said. His hand on my hip rubbed slow circles with his thumb against my skin. I felt warm where our bodies touched. I examined the strong line of his jaw, his plump lips. His eyes were deep like honeyed amber.
"Oh really? How so?" I said a little breathlessly, and I stumbled slightly, which made me press myself fully against his chest, his arms gripped my waist to hold me up. I could feel every hard line of him pressed against me. An outline of his weapon pressed against my hip.
"He's always been a rebel. Partying, went of to school. He only just returned from staying in the human realm for university." Kellen stated. Ah, that would be odd for the son of the royal family to go off to the human realm. Kellen placed me back on my feet. I smiled gratefully and wrapped my arms around his neck. I leaned forward and rested my head against his shoulder as we swayed to the music. I felt so warm, like I could close my eyes and float. Kellen pulled away momentarily, but kept a grip on my hand.
"Let's go get some fresh air." He led me toward one of the far doors on the side of the hall, that led out on to a large terrace. As we walked outside my jaw dropped in awe, the moon was evervescent and full. It shone brightly in front of us over the treetops of the vast expanses of forests that surrounded the palace. Stars twinkled brightly beside the moon, all clearly visible away from the city.
"It's beautiful" I breathed, leaning against the railing of the terrace and staring up at the moon. I saw Kellen beside me studying my face. He looked up briefly.
"It is beautiful. I used to love climbing on to the roof of the palace as a child, just staring at the moon." He admitted to me. I imagined a scrawny little boy hanging off of the roof, staring up at this gorgeous moon. I smiled.
"I grew up in the wilderness of the human realm." I began, honestly. "Seeing this. The moon above the treetops, it reminds me of home. It reminds me I'm not so big in this world." I finished. Kellen analyzed my face and I turned to look up at him. His eyes darkened, and he trailed his fingertips down my cheek.
"You really are different." He said, almost in wonder. I blushed and smiled.
"Well, I wouldn't like to be ordinary." I said, running my fingers through my long hair. He laughed and placed his hand over mine on the railing. The way he looked at me made me feel so alive. I felt like a school girl who has never been kissed.
A soldier came up behind Kellen and whispered something in his ear. Kellen nodded and pulled away from the railing. He took my hand in his and placed a kiss on it.
"I'm afraid duty calls, my lady. I hope I see you again soon." He bowed.
"I hope so too." I smiled at him, and he smiled back before turning and walking back through the crowd. I took the moment to pull off my high heels and carry them in my hand. I sighed in sweet relief as I placed my bare feet on the ground.
I sniffed the air and frowned. The scent of cloves was overpowering. I heard a deep chuckle from behind me, and a small inhale. I turned around to face those familiar icy blue eyes, and saw Rayne take a drag off of a cigarette.
"Well, well, well... looks like we meet again, Kitty Kat."