I turned to look him in the eyes, before I answered. His face was pointed to the floor. He did not glance up.
“Look at me,” I said assertively. The idea of him refusing to even meet my gaze was infuriating.
When he finally did look up, his eyes widened. It almost looked like he was going to actually smile again. Dipping his head, he said, “My Lady. You look beautiful tonight. Are you ready to attend your ball?”
Liam had worn a long blue jacket and white dress shirt. His hair was pulled out of his usual bun and hung up in a long straight ponytail. Strands of it fell loosely around his face and the deep blue mask that covered the ridge of his nose, outlined his sharp blue eyes. This night… That night… he was the most attractive I’d ever seen him. That was aside from the smile that was so clearly missing from his face. The curves of his lips were forced and far from the natural smile that usually resided there.
As we passed through the threshold of the Grand Ballroom, music was playing and dozens of well dressed women and men were dancing their way across the floor. Couples and older gentlemen seemed to gravitate to the sides, away from the dancing, discussing tactics and business. If it were my choice, those were the people I would seek out to spend the evening with. Rather conversational drivel than the unwelcome advances of arrogant men.
It only took a moment. The second the doors closed behind me bellowing trumpets sounded. An announcer spoke from the stage to my left. The grand ballroom was decorated with white and gold. Cloth strings hung between the pillars and hundreds of candles dangled from a complexly designed chandelier.
“May I introduce, Lady Nol.” His voice boomed around the stone walls of the chamber. Every eye in the room landed on me.
I looked around, I wanted to make sure Liam was still there, that I wasn't doing this alone. But, when I turned, he was no were to be seen. It looked like I was on my own.
I felt as though I was a lamb that had been thrown into the lion's den. Men were introducing themselves left and right. I could not remember half of the names. I danced with men who informed me about their grand estates, others discussed their latest business conquests. There were a few who discussed their military superiority as they held title and an officers rank. It took most everything in me, not to scold a few for using such advances.
I could not tell you how much time had passed before I finally seemed to have faded enough from attention to sneak away from the crowd of suitors. I found my way behind a pillar to the right of the dance floor, slipping away into the hall without notice was a bit of a challenge, but once outside I felt like I could finally breathe again.
After a moment or two, I was approached. Still alone in the hall, it was not something I wanted to engage with at that moment, but I did not want to be rude and draw suspicion to myself.
The gentleman was wearing a deep red suit. The black dress shirt underneath contrasted well and the black mask covered much of his face besides a sharply curved jaw and rosy lips. Even with all of that. I couldn’t help but feel he seemed familiar…
It took a moment for me to realize I was staring. The gentleman stood in front of me, obviously pondering something. In his eyes, I seemed to see a level of pain, suffering...Whoever this man was, he had experienced loss…
“Lady Nol, I presume?” He asked in a sultry voice.
“Yes, pleased to make your acquaintance sir.” I tried to remember where I may have known him from. Perhaps he was a military officer I had run into a time or two? “And you are?”
I saw a faint smile purse his lips. “I am no one of importance.” His emerald green eyes pierced through me, the autumn color to his hair, and the way it was tied up with strands framing his face, sent a tickle through my mind, he was attractive for sure, but something else churned inside my subconscious. “Welcome to court, My Lady.” The curious man held my hand to his lips, kissed and without another word disappeared out of sight.
I was considering whether or not to pursue the rather odd gentlemen, when Eák’s voice sounded from the doorway. “Beautiful. Are we hiding from our own party?” I turned to see Eák opening the door leading to the Grand Ballroom. “Your suitors will be getting restless if you disappear like this.” Eák extended his arm for me.
“You’re right,” I said hesitantly grasping his arm and stepping towards him.
“I know this isn’t exactly pleasant but you should try to enjoy yourself. You never know, you may actually have a good time” He was looking straight ahead as he spoke. Though when he turned to look at me, his face held what I could have sworn was the first honest smile I had ever seen on him. The way his eyes seemed to light up, only added to the pronounced pinks of his cheeks.
When we entered through the doors of the room he turned me to face him, descending elegantly in a deep bow.
“My Lady, may I have this dance?”
The smirk was back. His sparkling green eyes filled with temptation. I had half a mind to knee him again, but in an environment like that, I was not sure how pleasantly that kind of behavior would’ve been received.
“You may,” I answered.
Eák placed his hand on my lower back and smoothly swung me onto the dance floor. Leading me expertly around to the center of the room. We had all eyes in the room resting on us, his apparent performance ability had many mesmerized. Women on the sides of the room giggled and talked as they gawked at the man spinning me around. It was clear the minimal training I had as a child had left me, but it did not inhibit Eák’s abilities in the slightest. Every time I was about to misstep he would guide me to the proper position, even lifting my feet off the ground right before a toe was smashed.
As the music began to wind down he pulled my body close to his. Heat rising to my face, he dipped his head down to my neck, kissed lightly, and as he raised his head he stopped for just a moment beside my ear. “They are here.”
Eák placed a gentle kiss on my cheek, before bowing and disappearing into the crowd.
Finally, something I could actually do. The threat was here. The battle had begun.
Comments (0)
See all