Chapter seven

Chapter seven: A Dance in the Shadows

The hum of the ballroom softened as the orchestra began a new melody—slow, haunting, and intimate. Nobles paired off, their gowns brushing the polished floor like whispers of silk. Emilia lingered near the arched windows, the cool night air brushing her skin through the thin glass. She sipped her wine, the sweet tang a poor distraction from the heaviness of the evening.

“Emilia.”

Her name, spoken in Kael’s low voice, cut through the hum of voices around her. She turned, startled to find him standing a few steps away, his dark gaze fixed on her. The golden light of the chandeliers played off his sharp features, casting shadows that made him seem both regal and unknowable.

“Yes?” she asked, her voice soft but steady.

Kael extended a hand, his movements deliberate. “Would you do me the honor of a dance?”

Her stomach flipped, but she managed a nod, placing her hand lightly in his. His fingers were warm, his grip firm yet careful, as though he were wary of startling her.

The crowd seemed to shift and part as Kael led her to the center of the room. Whispers rippled around them, but Emilia forced herself not to look at the sea of curious eyes. Instead, she focused on Kael.

He turned to face her, his expression unreadable as he placed one hand lightly on her waist. His touch sent a faint shiver through her, and she tried to steady herself as she rested her other hand on his shoulder.

“Relax,” Kael murmured, his voice low enough that only she could hear.

“I’m fine,” Emilia replied quickly, though her trembling fingers betrayed her nerves.

Kael raised an eyebrow, his lips twitching with faint amusement. “Are you now?”

She tried to retort, but he had already begun to move. His steps were smooth and confident, and Emilia found herself following him instinctively. Her own movements felt clumsy at first, but Kael’s steady guidance helped her find the rhythm.

“You’re doing well,” he said after a few moments, his tone sincere.

“Thank you,” she replied, focusing on matching his stride. “Though I think most of the credit belongs to you.”

Kael chuckled, the sound deep and unexpected. It startled Emilia enough that she glanced up at him, catching the faintest trace of a smile on his usually stoic face.

“I’ll take that as a compliment,” he said, his voice quieter now, more personal.

The music swelled, and the space between them seemed to narrow. Emilia became acutely aware of his hand at her waist, the warmth of his touch seeping through the thin fabric of her gown. Her heart beat faster as Kael’s fingers tightened slightly, pulling her just a fraction closer.

“You look beautiful tonight,” he said suddenly, his voice barely above a whisper.

Emilia’s cheeks flushed, and she looked away. “Thank you,” she murmured, unsure how else to respond.

When she dared glance back at him, she found his gaze fixed on her, his dark eyes softer than she’d ever seen them. The intensity of his expression made her breath catch.

For a fleeting moment, the rest of the room seemed to fade away. Emilia wondered, absurdly, if he might kiss her—here, in the midst of the court, under the watchful eyes of the nobility.

But then the music came to an end, breaking the spell. Kael released her waist and stepped back, bowing slightly. Emilia curtsied, though her legs felt unsteady.

“Thank you for the dance,” he said, his voice returning to its usual calm.

“The pleasure was mine,” she replied, managing a small smile.

The party wound down after the dance, and Emilia found herself retreating to her chambers with a mixture of relief and confusion. Her thoughts lingered on Kael, on the way his hand had felt against her waist, the way he’d looked at her as if seeing her for the first time.

“Your Highness,” Betty greeted her as Emilia entered the room. The young maid curtsied before stepping forward to help her with her gown.

“Thank you, Betty,” Emilia said, her voice quiet. She allowed the maid to untie the intricate laces of her violet gown, letting the heavy fabric fall away to reveal the simple slip beneath.

Betty hesitated for a moment, her hands fumbling slightly as she gathered the gown to place it aside. “Are you all right, Your Highness? You seem… distracted.”

Emilia considered the question, then nodded. “It’s just been a long evening.”

Betty seemed to accept the answer and moved to prepare the bath. The sound of water pouring into the tub filled the room, and Emilia found herself staring at her reflection in the mirror. Her cheeks were still flushed, her hazel eyes bright with emotions she couldn’t quite name.

When the bath was ready, Betty guided her to the tub and helped her ease into the warm water. The heat soothed her tense muscles, but her mind remained restless.

As Betty gently washed her hair, Emilia closed her eyes and let her thoughts drift back to the dance. Kael’s words, his touch, his gaze—they lingered in her mind like an unfinished melody.

“Betty,” Emilia said suddenly, her voice breaking the silence.

“Yes, Your Highness?”

“Do you think…” She hesitated, then shook her head. “Never mind. It’s nothing.”

Betty didn’t press her, but the small smile on her face suggested she might have guessed what was on Emilia’s mind.

When the bath was over, and Emilia was dressed in her nightgown, she dismissed Betty for the night. Alone in her chambers, she sat by the window, gazing out at the moonlit gardens below.

Her thoughts circled back to Kael, to the way his presence seemed to command her attention without effort. She wondered if he’d felt the same pull, the same strange, unspoken connection.

With a sigh, Emilia climbed into bed, pulling the covers around her. Sleep came slowly, but when it did, her dreams were filled with the echoes of music and the warmth of Kael’s hand on her waist.