Jovana didn't realize what the vial had done until she entered the crowd, and all the men's heads started turning in her direction. She felt strength and determination surging inside her, followed by a rush of excitement she had never felt before. Jovana could feel men's subtle signals like they were openly declaring their love, and flirting felt like second nature.
'Oh dear, serendipity is at work! This is unsettling, and exciting at the same time.' Jovana mused, as she realized her new power. Suddenly, she noticed the area around the main entrance falling silent.
"He's here! The Duke is here!" Someone screamed in the crowd. Young maidens started turning their heads with eyes filled with longing and men stepped back as a dark, tall figure made an appearance. As he walked in, his steely eyes cut through the crowd, scanning every face without looking at anyone twice.
All around the hall, whispers buzzed, "Oh my God, it's him!"
"I could melt under those eyes."
'That is Caspian Clifford?' Jovana mused. She had heard a lot of stories about the head of the Royal Secret Service, but she had never seen him in person before. 'I thought that all those stories about him being as handsome as he is merciless were fantasies. But they might be true after all.' Jovana's thoughts raced, as she recalled some of the stories that circulated in the kingdom about the Duke. He was known as a ruthless man who slaughtered his enemies. He was known to be unapproachable, and wielded most of the power of the kingdom in his hands.
He was the closest person to the King, and was the head of the Royal Secret Service. Even the King adored the Duke and wouldn't dare to defy him in public. No one could tell who holds the infinite power between the King and the Duke.
As Jovana looked at the Duke's enigmatic figure, the royal host stepped onto the royal platform. His voice boomed across the room, "The King will be late, but since he's always in our hearts, let the dancing begin!" The huge orchestra started playing, filling the gigantic ballroom with music. After a first moment of surprise, notes started quickly turning people into dancing couples.
Jovana stood alone in the room, trying to decide what to do, when she smelled something very peculiar. It was leather and charred wood, with a hint of musk. She turned around, and saw Caspian Clifford right in front of her. He held out his hand to her, and slightly nodded his head in acknowledgment.
"Would you give me the honor of the first dance, Lady Stafford?" The Duke said, his voice was deep and hoarse. His eyes seemed to be able to pierce through the flesh of the body and expose the soul.
'He knows who I am?' Jovana mused, and glanced towards the room. She could feel every maiden in the hall was literally burning with envy. 'I can't believe I'm getting the opportunity to dance with him.' Jovana thought, and responded as she offered her hand to the Duke with a smile and a curtsy, "It would be a sin to reject such a polite invitation, Lord Clifford."
Jovana noticed a hint of surprise in his cold expression, as the possibility of rejection was not something new to him. The Duke stepped forward, and took her into his arms. A searing, delightful shiver departed from every corner of her body as he touched her.
She felt her skin ten times more receptive, and she mused, 'Uh, this is the Serendipity at work.' Jovana and the Duke danced right in the center of the room. He was an excellent dancer; formal and controlled, but never stiff. Jovana let herself go, following the music, and the pace of her unexpected dancing partner.
She reveled in just being there, in his arms, breathing his scent, listening to the calm beat of his heart. He led so effortlessly in the most articulated movement that Jovana felt like she could melt in his fingers. As the Duke twirled Jovana, she glanced at her brother in the crowd, pale as a ghost, as he watched her and Caspian twirled in the center of the ballroom.
As Jovana spun around with Caspian Clifford, the world turned into a haze of music and envious faces. But Jovana didn't care at all. All she had in mind at the moment was the touch of her dance partner and his intoxicating scent. At such a close distance, the Duke's eyes don't look so intimidating anymore. They have the same surreal beauty of the sky right before a storm.
All around, men's passion-filled eyes were still craving Jovana's company, and she could barely restrain herself from the effects of the Serendipity. 'The Duke was showing an incredible degree of self-discipline. Being so close to me, he must be the most affected person by the vial. Who knows what is going through his mind right now.' Jovana mused, as she gazed at the Duke. He was as fascinating as he was impenetrable. Not even Serendipity could help Jovana help her read him.
The music soon changed, and by the rules, a change of partner should be in order. But the Duke didn't let go of Jovana, and no laced dandy dared to approach Caspian to snatch his lady.
"You don't dance by the rules, My Lord." Jovana commented,
"Some rules are just for people who lack creativity. Dancing is a pleasure to enjoy, it's an art in motion. It shouldn't follow fixed lines." The Duke said,
"But…most dances follow fixed lines." Jovana argued, and the Duke bent to her ear. His breath felt hot like a furnace on the skin of her neck.
He whispered, "That's because most people can't dance."
Jovana giggled, and said, "You're right, My Lord. The search for a worthy dance partner is a never ending quest."
"Then I'm a very lucky man, because tonight my quest is over." Caspian said, and Jovana's cheeks turned red.
"Oh please, now you are just trying to flatter me." She said,
"I never flatter, Lady Stafford. I say things as they are," Caspian said. They were so close that Jovana could feel his cheek contracting as he smiled.
And maybe because of the Serendipity, Jovana found enough bravery to add in a whisper, "Be careful not to spoil me too much, Lord Clifford. I might get used to it."
'Where did that come from? Am I flirting with him?' Jovana mused, and she gasped when Caspian pulled her closer to him.
"You're very spirited, My Lady. A rare flower. An impossible combination of jasmine, sandalwood, and peony." As the Duke murmured the names of the plants in her ear, dissecting Jovana perfume one ingredient after the other, a searing shiver slowly climbed up and down her spine.
Jovana let the sound of his voice run through her, as she basked in the new, warm sensations. She leaned against him, abandoning her moves to his will and letting his hands move her body. His hold was steady and gentle. It was so easy to lose herself in his chest, in the enticing smell of charred wood, leather and musk.
As he made her spin around, his hand stroked her hair in a very subtle and yet very intimate gesture. Jovana's heart beat so hard that she could hear it rumbling in her head over the music.
Soon, the music ended, and the Duke removed his hands from Jovana. Jovana appealed to all her inner strength and did the same. The Duke's eyes couldn't leave Jovana alone, and he commented, "Unique flowers like you are rare, even in the royal garden, Lady Stafford."
"You are too kind, My Lord. It was a real pleasure to dance with you." Right after Jovana said that, her brother rushed towards them.
"Lord Clifford, it's a pleasure to meet you here." Elijah said, his voice polite and well-mannered, but Jovana could tell that he seemed colder than usual.
'Someone doesn't like the attention I'm getting from the Duke.' Jovana mused, as she watched the exchange between both men.
"I can say the same, Lord Stafford. Your sister is an excellent dancer." The Duke said, his eyes fixed on Jovana making her breath catch in her throat.
Elijah nodded, and replied, "Yes, she's remarkably skilled…for her young age."
"If you excuse me, I'll leave you in each other's good company and I will get some fresh air." Jovana said, eager to flee from the Duke's intense gaze.
"Sure, take all the time you need, Jovana." Elijah said, and without waiting for the Duke's words, Jovana nodded, and quickly dashed away from there.
Jovana wandered through the monumental halls until she found an open window that led to a terrace. There, the air was fresh, and the calm embrace of the night eased her overwhelmed senses. 'Oh yes… This is exactly what I was looking for.' Jovana thought, as she sat in a dark corner, closed her eyes, and checked her pulse. Things were slowing down. Jovana had just formulated that thought, when a familiar voice came muffled from a nearby window.
"I know we have been looking for the Serendipity creator for a while now." The Duke said. Jovana could barely make out the voices, but the conversation went on, "It's just a matter of time, Your Majesty."
"Time. You talk about time like it was nothing, Lord Clifford. But time is the only resource we can't have back. Time is everything." The King said,
"I know, Your Majesty. That's why I don't waste it. But even I can't alter reality just by snapping my fingers." The Duke replied.
"I know. But the sooner the Royal Scientific Society has the key to that substance in their hands, the better. You know what's at stake." The King said,
"I know. And I'll do whatever is necessary." The Duke remarked,
"I know you will. Use every resource you need." Jovana heard the long step of the voices, and then silence.
'The King wants Serendipity?! I need to get out of here before someone gets the idea that I might have heard something!' Jovana thought, as she acted quickly. The palace has eyes and ears everywhere. And after her dance with the Duke, she felt like a celebrity tonight.