He must have hurried, because it didn't take long for him to bring his horse to the castle.
"Now, my beautiful amethyst, have you calmed yourself? I see you are no longer a bright shade of crimson. Shall we make our way to the ballroom?"
"Will you answer my question, first?" I needed to know what he was hiding, because something about him was off and it would bother me until he did.
"I will answer your question," he stated. She obviously wasn't letting it go. "But not tonight. Tonight is for celebrating. Tomorrow, I promise."
His answer was satisfying enough. I suppose I can wait that long, so I nodded. "I will hold you to it," and began to walk towards the door to the ballroom. "Are you coming?" I asked over my shoulder.
"Oh, I don't doubt that you will," he mumbled under his breath, and came after me to catch up.
We could hear through the doors that the ball was already underway. We nodded at the announcer to signal that we were ready.
"All hail Princess Estelle Joyce Windsor of the Kingdom of Criba, and royal heir to the Criban throne! Escorted by her fiance, Mister Stetson Scott from the lands beyond Criba!"
The crowd parted to let us enter the center of the ballroom. We faced each other and bowed.
"May I have this dance, my beautiful amethyst?" he asked while holding out his palm.
"You may," I responded while giving him my gloved hand.
"Are you a good dancer, my lady? If I interest you in a far outdated dance, will you be able to follow my lead?" he asked with a twinkle of amusement.
I looked at him a bit puzzled, but I nodded. "Sure, let's see this dance of yours."
The crowd had formed a circle around us. He signaled the orchestra to begin. The music started out slow and so did we. It was a form of waltz, one that maybe the current waltzes derived from.
"Prepare yourself, princess, it's about to pick up," he warned in a whisper.
He was right, the music started to go faster, and so did we. Soon, we were no longer doing the waltz but a different dance completely. The people around us murmured nothing but questions. Some about the dance, and some about Stetson.
"Does this dance ever end?" I asked with amusement. Most dances would have been over by now, but we were still going.
"Are you getting tired, princess?" He teased me.
"Maybe just a bit, but I'm okay for a little while longer."
He smiled at me. "Good, because it's about to get even more interesting."
Before I could register what he said, he swung me out away from him while holding my hand. As he brought me back towards him, he grabbed my hips and pulled me closer to him. My hands were on his chest, and our eyes met. For a second I could feel a slight pause, and I saw those flecks in his eyes again. Before I could question him about it, we began a faster and more sensual dance.
"Where did you learn this dance?" I asked him just above a whisper, our eyes never leaving each other.
"It's an ancient courting dance from the land of Vules. When a man thinks he has found his beloved, he will throw a party to be given the chance to perform this dance with her. The women grow up knowing nothing of this dance, other than its existence. It's said that if they do well and can perform the dance with no mistakes, then they are truly meant to be together."
"Interesting, and who teaches the men the dance? I'm sure they weren't born knowing it."
"Their mothers, and if their mother has passed before they have learned it, then the next prominent maternal figure in their life teaches them."
"That's fascinating. And how are we doing so far?"
"That, my little amethyst, I cannot tell you until after it is over."
I gave him a pout and he just smirked.
"Stick that lip out any farther and I might just bite it, princess," he teased.
My eyes widened, and I could feel myself blush. Suddenly, I realized just how warm and comfortable I was in his arms. Was this how it was for every woman who became engaged?
***
-Stetson POV-
I ran to retrieve Nero, and he used his speed to get us back to the castle in no time. I love to get the princess all worked up, but I didn't want to reveal my true self to her just yet. It wasn't the right time. No, I wanted her to enjoy her birthday before I turned her world upside-down.
I was surprised by her eagerness to participate in the dance I suggested. My plan to become engaged to her had worked better than I thought, and now here I was, participating in the courting dance with her. Maybe…maybe she was the one. Maybe the reason I felt the magical static so strongly was because I was meant to find her so we could be together. After almost 500 years, I may have just found my true beloved. How could it be though? She is so young. Bit she is so perfect.
Before we started the last part of the dance, I swung her out a back into my arms. We made eye contact, and that's when I knew. She was meant to be mine. I paused slightly, forgetting about the dance and trying to make sense of what this meant. In that brief moment I didn't see a young woman, but a power witch. So gorgeous, with eyes of gold and hair as dark as a raven's feathers. I could feel the urge to claim her and mark her as mine. My true self must have started to show, because she gave me a puzzled look that brought me back to our dance.
I sped us up and led us in the sultry last part of our dance. I could see the flush creep up her neck and consume her face at our close proximity. The whispers and gasps of our audience grew, telling me such dances don't exist here in Criba. What a bunch of prudes! This will surely be the talk of the land for ages to come.
At last I finally gave her a dip and kissed her. The crowd gasped in shock at my boldness and public display of affection. The feeling of her soft lips on mine created sparks that I have only ever heard about. I started to feel a warmth in my chest, awakening my cold and lifeless heart. That was it. I couldn't believe it. I came here to help and protect her, only to find out she was the one. My true beloved.
I pulled away in a daze. Staring into her eyes. She was a gem and she was meant to be mine. My little amethyst. She had to have felt it too, because the look of adoration she was giving me was one I will commit to memory. However, the slight appearance of confusion crossed her face.
"That, my darling gem, was the sparks of a true bond. Meaning our dance was perfect. We are truly meant to be," I answered her unasked questions.
Hey all!
It took me a bit to write this chapter. I wanted it to be perfect.
Hope you enjoy!
He kissed me! I can't believe he actually kissed me. Not only that, but he did it in front of everyone! I have no idea what it is like outside of the kingdom, but in Criba, such an act is taboo. In fact the last part of our dance was a bit illicit. Oh, but I never felt so much passion. In all the books I've read, all of the things I've learned about, or hobbies I did, nothing has made me feel what I just felt dancing and being kissed by Stetson. And I literally just found out this morning I was a witch. But both of those feelings were separate. Finding out I was a witch was and still is exciting and electrifying, but it's also terrifying. Being with Stetson is warm and adventurous.
Stetson stood me back up from the dip, and the crowd was silent. Unsure of what they just witnessed. Unsure whether they should clap and cheer or not. As they were still trying to figure out what to do, Stetson escorted me to my throne next to my father. We bowed to him, and I sat.
"That was quite the show you two just put on. Where did you learn that dance, Mr. Scott?" my father asked him.
"I learned it while traveling for business in Vules, your Majesty. I was told it was an ancient courting dance. I figured it would be appropriate given the circumstances of our engagement," I said while eying my beloved. I hope he believed my lie. Things were going so well, and if I were to be discovered now, I would be killed on the spot.
"Yes, it's the courting dance of the vampires," he added. He was testing me, and I had to think fast.
"You are correct, your majesty. Do you know it?" I questioned, trying to deflect the conversion from myself and onto him.
"Yes, I witnessed it many times here in this very ballroom when my queen was still alive."
"May she rest in peace," the princess and I said in unison.
"Was it ever successful, father?" Estelle joined the conversation.
"Less often than you would think. Vampires would still marry the woman they courted whether they were their true beloved or not, which led to the chances of others finding their true beloved to be slim," he answered her. "And what was the result of your dance?" he eyed me suspiciously. "Did you share the sparks of true beloveds?"
"Respectfully, how should I know your Majesty? I am a human. The sparks are only shared if at least one of them is a supernatural being, correct?" I lied. Estelle's eyes were full of confusion, but she caught on, and suddenly made a face of disappointment.
"Well that's not fair, how should humans know if they found their soulmate, father? I didn't feel any sparks, but I wish I could. It sounds so dreamy," she complained while pouting at her father. Her acting was superb.
"It's ok, my darling. It's very rare to find your true beloved anymore. I'm sure Mr. Stetson here will treat you as if you were his," he said sternly while glaring at me.
"I will, your highness, I promise," I said indifferently to her father, gazing into her eyes. They were a sea of gold. A room full of treasure could never compare to the beauty her eyes held. "You will be my one and only beloved, for the rest of eternity."
"Don't forget your promise to me too, Mr. Scott."
"Don't worry, your Majesty. I won't," I responded, never breaking eye contact with Estelle."Would you like something to drink, my darling?"
"Yes, please. I am very parched from our dance. Just some water will be fine."
"Water? That's all? It's your birthday, don't you wish for something a little more…celebratory?"
She giggled, "No, water is okay. I can drink any of that whenever. Besides, that stuff would mess with my senses too much, and I don't want to make a fool of myself."
"As you wish, my dear amethyst." I turned to leave and find a servant to ask for a cup of water.
It didn't take long, and I was back with my beloved in no time. I noticed James standing off to the side. I nodded, and he respectfully nodded back. He was already taking his position very seriously. I begin to wonder if he will insist on traveling with us, when I take the princess out of the kingdom. Who am I kidding, of course he will. He will be a challenge. Unless…
I step aside next to the man himself. "Excuse me, James, or should I call you Sir Canter?" I said with a smile. He only nodded. "Anyways, when you swore your allegiance to the future queen, did that include her secrets as well? Even if they may go against laws or societal norms?"
"Yes, Mr. Scott. It did. If the princess is imprisoned, then either so am I or I am finding a way to free her. Her life and well being are my number one priority."
"Good. That is what I wanted to hear, Sir Canter. I am glad my future bride will always have you keep her safe if I am unable to do so," I said to cover my true intentions with this conversation. I'm sure it won't be long before he finds out both of our true natures.
After a few more tame dances with Estelle, I bid her goodnight. It was time for everyone to make their way to their rooms. I was given a smaller room since the others were already taken by guests that stayed here this past week, and I only arrived a few hours ago. It was fine. I wasn't expecting anything lavish, anyways. I laid down and rested until the morning.
I couldn't wait to see her again. All I could imagine was her sweet innocent face. I could feel the raw magical power she held every time I touched her bare skin. I thought about what I would tell her tomorrow. About who I really am. Will she still want me? Even when I take this disguise off? I hope so. I can only pray to the gods that she will.
***
-Estelle POV-
The night had flown by. I couldn't believe how much fun I had. I couldn't wait to see Sabina and Dee tomorrow and see how theirs went. Last I saw, Sabina was dancing with Mr. Arbour, and Dee had been off eating some tarts avoiding being asked to dance.
I couldn't wait to tell them all about Stetson. Just thinking about him made my heart begin to race and my stomach perform somersaults. I couldn't wait to see him in the morning.
Just then, I realized he had yet to tell me what he was hiding. I hope it isn't anything too bad. I'm sure whatever it is, it can't be worse than me being a witch and the future queen of a kingdom that bans magic and supernatural beings. In fact, I bet he is a supernatural being. But what kind though? He couldn't be a werewolf, he's too thin. He's too tall to be a fae or dwarf. That would leave an orc, vampire, or elf, and he's obviously not an orc. So he's either a vampire or an elf. Either can disguise themselves. But can elves hide their ears? Stetson's ears looked normal. And then there was the courting dance. What kind of supernatural beings did it belong to? Ugh, I wish I had paid more attention, but noooo, I just had to ogle at him. Either way, he has to be one of them. Why else would he lie to my father about not feeling the sparks? There's no way he knows that I'm a witch. No one has seen my hands, and no one else but Bina and Dee saw my glowing hands. Except…no, he can't be that mysterious figure in the window. There's no way a man like him could climb like that. Unless he's a vampire…
The next morning I awoke and began to pace my room. He promised he would be here around this time. Where is he? What is taking him so long? I could barely sleep last night. I just know his secret is that he's a vampire. He has to be. It would explain everything. His eyes, the courting dance, how fast he retrieved his horse. And if he was a vampire, he had to be the figure I saw in through the library windows. If not, I have to tell him about it. Him and James. So they can keep an eye out, and watch my back when I cannot.
Suddenly there was a knock on the door, startling me.
"Come in!" I shouted as I turned towards the door. As it opened I could see it was him. My beloved. I ran towards him as he closed the door and turned to face me. He caught me in his arms and wrapped me in a tight hug.
"I see that someone missed me," he said with a cheeky grin.
"That, I did," I claimed with a smile to rival his.
"And I also believe I promised you some answers."
"Yes, and I think I have already answered them myself," I claimed matter-of-factly.
"Oh, is that so? Then do tell me princess. What am I hiding?" he asked with a huge grin as if I couldn't possibly know.
"You're a vampire."
Hello all!
The truth is out! What do you think?
Enjoy reading!