Love and War

10: Jonah

Jonah's POV:
The image was too beautiful. Too peaceful. Too magical.

As if the events taking place weren't happening and all was right in the world.

I knew even if I tried I'd never be able to fully capture this moment. The bonfire crackling and glowing in the center as if mirroring everyone's happiness. The kids laughing and playing. The villagers happily dancing without a care in the world. The whimsical soft music. And her.

I'd never be able to capture that joy, that smile on her face as she danced.

If I didn't know any better I'd think she were a princess with the way she moved, with such grace. I guess Mouse Girl is not so bad after all. Such a shame that her tongue has razor sharp needles on it.

I almost laughed out loud remembering how she tried threatening me earlier with a dagger. If I wanted to I could kill her with a flick of my wrist.

I choose not to.

I come back from my thoughts and took a good look at her.

She had her long black hair up and away from her face, a sparkly diadem decorating her forehead. Her skin glowed in the starlight and her pink dress looked like it was custom made for her. It was long and had some ruffles, the neckline scooped low enough to show a bit of cleavage.

I found my hands working fast to follow her movements. I scribbled on the paper I had on my lap with a pencil I had Landon retrieve for me.

On the paper she was mid turn, her feet on the tips of her toes and her smile was the best part of the drawing.

"Come on Your Highness!" A young woman called for me from behind the bonfire.

"Dance with us!" Said another.

I refused. Not because I don't know how to dance or because I didn't want to. But because they were so happy and I felt like I wouldn't fit in with that. I don't think I'm capable of feeling such joy in my life. I hope to one day feel it. But perhaps I never will and that will be the consequence for all the awful things I've done in my life.

The young woman ignored my refusal and grabbed my hand pulling me to my feet. I decided not to be rude and at least dance once.

I joined hands with her and everyone around us started dancing together, synchronized. We turned and swayed and switched partners.

It was pure chaos.

We didn't dance like this back at the palace and for some reason I felt a smile grow on my face.

Beautiful chaos.

That'll be the name of the painting

Then everything stopped around us it seemed, as I was shoved to Anastasia. We continued the dance and she seemed so at ease. Her beauty and happiness so much better up close I didn't switch partners even when it was time to. My hands didn't want to let go yet.

Her happiness bewildered me.

How can one be so happy when so many shitty things are happening around them?

She doesn't exactly have the best life... so how?

Our eyes didn't leave each other's the entire time. Her brown eyes were pools of caramel and a small tight lipped smile appeared on her face.

The dance ended and another song began. I stepped out for a small break.

I never danced back home. Not at balls or when Trojan would play music by a bonfire much like this one.

Just like I love art, Trojan loves music. He'd love it here.

It was just different here in Redwood, I suppose. More peaceful and happy.

Landon came to my side and he too was watching Anastasia. "How do you think she learned to dance like that?"

I shrugged and a familiar old woman approached us. The woman from before, Anastasia's grandmother. "She learned from her parents. They used to serve in King Santiago's court."

A worried look passed from Landon and I and I glanced at the woman who was now talking to a little girl. The little girl was laughing and Anastasia grabbed her hand and twirled her around.

We really don't know this woman. She told us the basics. That she's being chased by bad men and has a debt with some king but besides that...

Worst part she was part of King Santiago's court... our biggest enemy.

"She's royalty?" Landon asked.

"No, no. Her parents were both advisors and they'd take her to many balls and there she learned to dance. This was way before King Santiago became evil. Poor girl suffered a lot after her parents death. She became a fugitive at age 13 and lived here a couple years. I am not her biological grandmother but I took her in since she was only a child." She said with a sad expression.

Okay... so she isn't part of their court anymore. That's good considering I'm now choosing to trust her.

Only a little though.

However what happened to her...

No child deserves that. Perhaps that's why she responds so harshly to people sometimes...especially royals.

I still don't like her but maybe I understand her a little.

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