Publicly, nothing less than a royal escort would do for a guest of honor, even ifprivately, she hated us both. A united front, for appearances sake, was important in times of turmoil. Sylvia and the Elders weren’t going to miss an opportunity to show off their shiny new world walker at the biggest event of the year.
Meanwhile, Raf had successfully avoided every courtship festival over the last century. But now, thanks to me, he had to go—or at least that’s what he said. It wasn’t like I had a choice either… I’d dodged one dance just to end up at another—and if I didn’t learn how to shift soon, this party would end even worse than my debut.
I’d never seen the Great Hall in the midday sun; the white marble and stained glass ceiling shimmered in the sunshine. As I approached, I spotted Rafael and a well-dressed gentleman, who I could only assume was our dance instructor. A rather short man, for faerie standards, introduced himself as Archibald—Archie for short. He looked dapper in a well-tailored black jacket with a white vest and black breeches to match. He would’ve fit in at any upper-crest circle in Erador.
“Impeccable style, sir.” I smiled. He was balding with thin tufts of slicked back silver hair. He looked old enough to be a grandfather, which meant he must’ve been ancient.
“Thank you, darling. I have apassionforfashion. I have since I was a boy. I’ve seen many trends come and go over the last six hundred years, but if I’ve learned one thing, it’s that a well-tailored black suitnevergoes out of style.”
I liked him immediately. He turned to Raf, wearing all black as usual, and said, “It seems you agree, Your Highness. A dashing Prince and anenchanting Princess. You shall make quite a pair on the dance floor.” I tried not to laugh as Raf looked increasingly uncomfortable.
“I’m not a Princess, actually,” I said, correcting the instructor.
He gave me a quizzical look. “I’ve lived this long by not questioning the Kings and Queens I’ve worked under. If Prince Galen says you’re a Princess, then you’re a Princess.” He bowed for emphasis, making me blush.
“Are either of you familiar with the Hyacinth Waltz?” Archie asked. We both shook our heads and his smile dropped.
“What a shame, considering I invented it. It’sthedance to know at the Hyacinth Festival, naturally. It tells the story ofblossoming love—the tumultuous courtship dance of faeries. It’s rarely a smooth transition from acquaintance to blood-bonded mates amongst our people. And why should it be? Any love worth having deserves a littledramatic flare.”
Rafael and I exchanged looks; this man wasverypassionate about his craft. I couldn’t help but grin… and to my surprise, Raf wasn’t able to hide his smile either.
“If you didn’t know, Hyacinth flowers are a symbol of young love. Princess Marigold, you’ll be the petals. Prince Rafael, the stem. There is no better way to honor the love affair than through the art of dance. Don’t you agree?”
This is where he lost me. “I should tell you now, Archie, before you get too invested. Raf is a perpetual spoilsport and I have anextremefear of crowds… and dancing too, actually. We may not be your star pupils. You can just tell us the basics—we don’t want to waste your time.” I tried to be polite, but he needed to know that it would be a miracle if we showed up at all.
Rafael flashed me a rogue smile. “The only spoilsport here is you,Princess.I happen tolikedancing. It seems you’ll have to do your best to keep up.”
What was he up to?
That’s the spirit!” Archie cheered. “Let’s begin.”
He arranged Raf and I together, hand in hand… my hips pressed against his. One step at a time, he guided us through the moves. I wasn’t completely hopeless; I grew up in a castle after all, but this dance was different than anything I’d ever learned. It was much moreintimatecompared to the upbeat, intricate dances of Aurelius. Rafael picked it up surprisinglyfast and I suspected he already knew the steps as I stumbled through each transition… as if he didn’t see me embarrass myself enough at training.
“This next part, Princess… you must wrap your leg around the Prince, just so. Yes—that’s it! You want tobethe petals—yes!”
I was mortified as I hooked my leg around Raf and let him lean me back. It was taking all my concentration to not notice his hands. They wereeverywhere: My lower back, my ribs, my hips… my thighs.
If we were in Erador, he would’ve had to marry me after this dance, because my virtue would’ve been consideredthoroughlyruined. I was burning up, trying not to respond to his touch. He was enjoying this, watching me perspire under his piercing gaze. The ice in my veins felthot, like it had melted into boiling liquid and turned to steam. My temples were dewy. I felt feverish. Maybe I was getting sick.
“You’re doing great.” His dimples were prominent as he grinned down at me.
I glared at him. “You’re aliar. I know you already know this dance. Can’t you just prance me around the floor on the day of the festival and let this be over with. What have I done to deserve this form of cruel and unusual punishment?” I was irrationally angry as the instructor played his fiddle, counting out the beats.
“Is it reallytorture, dancing with me?” His eyes were lit with unabashed amusement.
“Of course not… but it would be for Galen if he saw us right now.” I said it quietly, avoiding his gaze. I knew bringing up his brother would weigh down his mood. Raf had to accept my choice. I hadn’t told him of my plan to take Galen with us to Erador, but he’d learn soon enough.
“Well then… good thing he’s not here,” Rafael said, dipping me low to the ground, our noses almost touching. I was trying not to breathe in the heady scent of cedar and rain, but it was impossible when we were this close to each other. It was clinging to me, making me dizzy, almost nauseous. I’d need to take a long, long bath before I saw Galen tonight.
“Has anyone ever told you that you wear too much cologne?” I snapped irritably.
He laughed, quirking a brow at me. “Do I look like the kind of male who wears cologne?” I tripped over my feet and he caught me, leaning me down into another dip with an indecent smile on his lips.
What?Howcould anyone smell like that…naturally? I was too embarrassed to ask. It would reveal more than I wanted him to know. So I kept my mouth shut and held my breath.
My heart hammered through the rest of our lesson as I denied the attraction I was feeling. I’d never truly admitted it to myself, but there it was… a gut wrenching thought I couldn’t ignore any longer—if Galen hadn’t swept me off my feet so quickly, would Raf and I have grown into something?Wasthiswhy he was willing to dance with me? Was he trying to make me acknowledge feelings that I’d been fighting since I met him? Would he be so bold?
He was Rafael; of course he would.
