a kingdom of light and lies

iii. chapter three

The sound of live music and the conversation of people filled the air. Candles stood tall in their candelabras, their flames dancing in their wax craters. Couples filled the middle of the room, dancing away. The skirts of the women billowed around them, while the tailcoats of the men whipped behind them. Laughter, whispers, and clinking glasses could be heard from all corners of the room. Aeryn was the only woman who did not take part.

She stood off to the side, the corner's shadow hiding half of her face. She scanned the room, carefully lifting her wine glass to her blood red lips and taking a sip.

Her eyes wandered over to a couple off to the side, sneaking small smiles to each other. Aeryn sighed, now wondering what it was like to be in love, to truly be in love with someone and not have to fake your affection towards them.

"Penny for your thoughts," a deep voice said from behind her. She stilled and her breath hitched, startled at his sudden appearance. She knew who he was, and he certainly wasn't going to get an answer from her.

She narrowed her eyes at him, staying silent. He stood still for a moment, and once he realized he wasn't going to get an answer, stepped from out of the shadows to stand in front of her. He bowed, staring Aeryn dead in the eyes.

He said, almost mockingly, "Your Highness." He grabbed her hand and tenderly kissed her knuckles. Her heart began to race, noticing the ethereal glow he gave off, the ears pointed upwards, those violent green eyes, but she kept her head up straight and glared him down with a fierce stare, daring him to turn away.

"May I ask why you were standing behind me?"

He straightened his back and lifted his lips from her gloved hand, maintaining eye contact with both of them.

As a new song began to play in the background, he extended his arm.

"Do you mind if I have this dance?"

A smirk appeared on her face as she tilted her head. She downed the rest of the crimson wine and placed it on a tray being carried by a passing butler. She returned her gaze to the fae and lowered her gaze to his extended arm.

She hooked her arm over his and answered, "You may." He took her to the dance floor, which was completely crowded. As the two glided to the center of the spinning couples, some of them came to a halt to gape. Once in the middle of the room, he let his hand glide down her waist while his other hand slipped into hers, pulling it up. As a new song began, she placed her hand on his shoulder. He took the lead and the two began to move around gently, eventually whirling around the ballroom as the tempo increased.

Aeryn was never one to let her partner take the lead, regardless of who it was. So, as he swirled her about, not bothering to pay attention, she swiftly took the lead and began spinning them around. Her eyes fluttered closed as she let out a sigh as she tilted her head up at the whirling ceiling above her. She heard a chuckle and opened her eyes to see him laughing at her, taking lead again.

He smugly said, "Let me take the lead, sweetheart." She rolled her eyes at his words.

"I've never been one for obedience," she stated, stealing the lead.

He looked into her eyes and remarked, "A lovely thing like you shouldn't have to lead."

"You think I'm lovely?"

"Who doesn't?"

"That's the last thing I would have expected. The fae High Lord that despises everything and everyone around him, thinks the princess of his rival kingdom is alluring. Not to mention she's human and far more dull than the women residing in your kingdom's grounds."