Lucas stepped forward, the light catching the edges of his sharp features, making him look almost ethereal; a walking piece of art.
"May I have this dance?" he asked her, his voice dripping with charm.
Claire nodded, unable to shift her gaze from him. He moved closer, taking her hand gently in his. Everyone else in the room watched with increasing excitement.
As they walked to the center of the room, Claire holding her abaya up with one hand, the world around them seemed to melt away, leaving them in a bubble of soft music and chemistry.
Lucas placed one hand on her waist, drawing her closer, and they began to sway to the rhythm. Claire's heartbeat pulsed with electrifying speed, nerves and excitement coursing through her.
Lucas guided her through the steps with ease, as he whispered softly to her, the importance of each one.
Was she paying attention? Of course not. How could she? The closeness of their bodies completely derailed her train of thought.
"Why do you keep explaining the steps? I can dance too" Claire muttered shyly.
"Well, that's the thing darling. I'm not your partner. I'm your instructor. So that means you're going to do whatever I tell you."
Claire couldn't help but imagine he wasn't just talking about the dancing.
She looked up at him, her deep green eyes filled with mischief. "And what if I don't?" She whispered with a smirk.
Lucas's grip around her waist tightened slightly, pulling her even closer. He leaned in, his breath warm against her ear.
"Then, my dear Claire," he murmured, his voice a dangerous mix of authority and desire, "I will have to make you."
He pulled his head back to lock eyes with her. His eyes darkened with intensity as he continued to guide her, each step spelling danger.
He swung her around and drew her back to his chest, his fingers stretched possessively across her stomach.
"You see, Claire," he continued. "In my world, resistance only fuels the fire."
Her heartbeat spiked. His aura of power was so intoxicating. "Is that a challenge?" she whispered back, her voice trembling with fear and excitement.
His grip tightened even more, pulling her in so that she could feel the strength of his body against hers. "Only if you're brave enough to accept it," he growled softly, his lips brushing against her ear.
They had already been dancing for a few minutes, but Claire realized in that moment; the real dance had only just begun.
Lucas's grip loosened, he let go of her ace stepped back, leaving Claire standing alone in the middle of the room, her immaculate abaya flowing gracefully.
The music had stopped and no one uttered a word.
"I'll see you soon," Lucas said, his voice echoing in the now silent room. He turned and walked away, the heavy doors closing behind him with a loud thud, leaving Claire to process the whirlwind of emotions that had just filled her.
***
The days turned into weeks as Claire's training intensified. The event was at hand.
Language lessons, etiquette training, diplomacy conversations, hours of make up and dance practice - but not with Lucas.
As a matter of fact, Claire hadn't seen Lucas since their heart-stopping dance practice.
'Probably out saving the world,' she thought cheekily as Zarah applied makeup on her face.
Zarah was patient, her hands steady and skilled, painting alluring designs and teaching Claire the ancient stories that accompanied them.
Finally, the day of the event was close. Claire's training had turned her into someone completely different from the woman she had been weeks before.
Her every move was calculated, her every word measured. She was ready.
On the day before the event, Claire got a message that Lucas wanted to see her.
'Don Benetti: The fields, 6 P.M.' read the handwritten note that had been slid under her room door.
Claire felt a shiver run down her spine as she read the note. The fields? She hadn't seen him in a while. What could Lucas want?
As the clock approached 6 P.M., she made her way to the open fields, her heart pounding with anticipation.
When she arrived, she was greeted by a breathtaking scene. The fields stretched out far and wide, vibrant green grass swaying gently in the breeze.
She spotted Lucas, dressed in all black, standing alone in the middle of the fields beside an old barn, his figure tall and commanding.
He turned to face her as she approached, his expression unreadable but his presence as magnetic as ever.
"Claire," he called, his voice flowing effortlessly across the open space. "Come here."
She walked towards him, her steps steady despite the unease inside her.
"This place is beautiful," she said with a smile as she got to where he stood.
"Yeah, my father left me all of this. He was killed two years ago, along with my elder brother," Lucas replied, his expression still unchanged.
"Oh my god, I'm so sorry-" Claire began, but Lucas immediately interjected.
"It's alright Claire. Grieving time is over. Now, I have to finish what he started. And that's why I need you."
Claire looked up at him and saw what looked like vulnerability in his eyes.
He pulled out a small box from his pocket. "This is for you," he said, opening the box to reveal a ring. It was similar to his, except the stone in hers was a deep, luminous yellow.
'THE ring,' she thought in shock.
Claire stared at the ring, feeling its dark aura radiate through the air. She extended her hand, and Lucas slipped the ring onto her finger, his touch staying just a moment longer than necessary.
"It belonged to my mother and it's tradition to be passed down. It's only right you play the part to the max. As far as anyone is concerned, even you and I, you are my wife," he declared with utmost seriousness. "Tomorrow, we step into a new world together. Remember everything you've learned and trust in yourself."
Claire nodded absently, her eyes still fixed on the ring. This was it. Her most crucial role yet.