Once I finally reached my chair, I sat with a loud huff and audibly groaned when my feet were relieved from the pressure of standing. I closed my eyes and leaned my head back, placing a glass of cold water against my forehead. I fanned myself, trying in vain to not call attention to my sweaty countenance.
This dress is HOT.I had sweat dripping down my back and pooling in uncomfortable places. Even the manufactured breezes from the Air Mages couldn’t dispel the warmth generated from feverous dancing.
“Having fun?”
The question caused me to jump in surprise and I spilled a bit of water on my dress. I had completely forgotten about Lord d’Refan sitting next to me. I tried to quickly mop up the water with a linen napkin, but only succeeded in becoming more flustered as I felt his unwavering gaze on the side of my face.
“Yes, I am, thank you. It is my birthday, after all,” I said, setting the napkin down on the table with my glass of water.
I turned my head to face him. He was leaning against the table, his head propped against his fist. His demeanorlookedrelaxed, but his tight facial expression told a different story.
“Why? Should I not dance with guests who came here forme?”The bold question was out of my mouth before I could stop it. Lord d’Refan’s lips quirked in response.
“You haven’t danced with me yet. Am I not one of your guests?” His gaze was sharp and almost accusatory.
I cocked my head at him. “Jealous?”
“Yes. I am,” he answered immediately, and I reared back at his words.
“There’s an easy fix for that, Alois.” I purposefully used his first name, even though all sense of propriety wanted me to call him Lord d’Refan.
His smile was positively predatory as he lithely rose from his seat. I was once again struck by how dangerous this man was. He extended his hand to me in a quarter bow.
“May I have this next dance, Miss Ellowyn?” he purred.
I nodded mutely before placing my hand in his. Unlike when I touched Torin, I felt no shock or spark from Lord d’Refan, only a sense of general unease. The room seemed to go silent as he led me to the dance floor, a steady buzz filling my ears as we walked. I mistakenly made eye contact with Torin as we slowly made our way through the crowd and instantly wished I hadn’t. His brow was pinched and his mouth flat, uneasiness masking his carefree expression from earlier. Torin’s eyes tracked me and focused on where Lord d’Refan held me until he glanced up and caught me staring at him. He quickly schooled his expression with a wink in my direction before disappearing into the crowd.
“Maestro. A slower number, please,” Lord d’Refan called, “the lady is tired and needs a rest.” The maestro nodded and the orchestra quickly struck a slow ballad. This dance was much more intimate than any I had experienced the entire night, and I felt unnerved that it was with Lord d’Refan. The hour of my Awakening was fast approaching, and I wasn’t sure that I wanted this to be what I was thinking of as I came into my magic.
I absently chewed my bottom lip as Lord d’Refan placed a hand on my lower back and held onto my right. He slowly guided me around the room, steps confident and sure as we twirled. After a few moments, other couples joined us on the floor, but it felt like it was only Lord d’Refan and I.
I felt like a fly caught in a spider’s web.
“So, tell me about yourself, Ellowyn.” Lord d’Refan started with aninnocuous enough question, but my guard was raised, certain he would fish for information soon.
“I’m not sure there’s much else to tell other than what you already know, Lord d’Refan,” I answered politely.
“Lies,” he whispered to me for the second time that night, “and we’re back to Lord d’Refan now, are we?”
“Sorry, Alois.”
He smiled tightly at me. “Much better, Ellowyn. But you avoided my question.”
I could tell I wasn’t getting out of his interrogation easily, and I had no doubt that he would continue to have the orchestra play intimate ballads until he got what he wanted from me. I just wasn’t sure exactlywhathe wanted.
I decided to placate him with easy truths.
“I . . . don’t know, really. I like the lavender fields and the small gardens that surround our homes. I like working in the temple with the acolytes.” The admission sat heavy in my stomach.
Did I really not have any hobbies aside from my parent-approved job and sitting in our manor’s gardens?
The thought troubled me.
“What do you like about it?”
His question caught me off guard—I wasn’t sure that anyone, even Peytor, had asked me that before.
I thought for a moment before answering him. “There’s something that resonates with me in each place. I feel . . . renewed? Happy? Content? When I’m in the gardens or in the temple. I’m at peace, I suppose.” I shrugged lightly at the admission.
