Page 116 of A Sunwoven Ascent

She placed her palm lightly against his, fingers aligning with careful precision.

“First,” she said, turning slightly so the others could observe, “you offer your hand to your partner. Not like that”—she shot a quick glance at Holden, who had half-heartedly raised his hand as though preparing to arm wrestle—“but with intention.” She gently adjusted Kaldrek’s hand, angling it into place. “Then you look at your partner.”

Kaldrek did exactly that, and he did it so fully that Evelyne’s breath caught for half a second before she forced herself to continue.

“And you do not break that gaze,” she added. “Not once. The dance exists only between the two of you. The rest of the room might as well not exist.”

“Seems impractical,” Holden muttered.

“It is not meant to be practical,” Aurelia replied sharply. “It is meant to be elegant.”

“Same thing,” he said.

“It most certainly is not.”

They were already on edge with one another, and Evelyne had not even taught the first step.

“Focus,” she said, though a smile tugged at her lips. “The gentleman leads. The lady follows, but not passively. There is a rhythm to it. A conversation.”

She stepped back, guiding Kaldrek with her in slow, coordinated movements.

“One step back,” she instructed him quietly. “Now forward. Turn slightly—yes, like that. Do not rush it.”

Kaldrek followed with surprising ease, his eyes never once leaving hers.

“This is very unsettling,” Heidara remarked from across the room.

“You are meant to look at your partner,” Evelyne called back.

“I am,” Heidara said. “He just looks like he’s planning something.”

Cillian laughed softly. “I promise you, I am not.”

Evelyne pulled her attention away from Kaldrek from time to time to check on the others as she walked them through the dance step by step. Aurelia and Holden, however, had not yet moved beyond hand placement, and Aurelia was already losing patience.

“Hand,” she said.

He raised it.

“Not like that.”

“This is how hands work.”

Aurelia closed her eyes briefly. “Refinement, Holden. Try again.”

A moment later, she sighed.

“Better. Though it pains me to admit it. Now look me in the eyes.”

Apparently, that instruction proved too much, because Evelyne continued to hear them bickering.

“You are already failing,” Aurelia informed him.

“This is ridiculous.”

“It is not ridiculous. It is society.”

“I don’t like society.”