One Eternal Ember

Chapter 18

   I cock my head to the side and study him. The way the light from the ceilings dance across his jaw, and cheekbones. The way light filters through his eyes, brightening the brown around his pupils, and sharpening his gaze. His dark thick lashes that frame his eyes, his sharp bridged nose, the slight cupid's bow in his lips. Malakai huh? A faint memory pricks at my brain, but I lose track of it as we begin a traditional dance. In Thessia dancing is seen as a gift. The better the dancer, the more adoration they receive. He gives me a lopsided smile that doesn't reach his eyes, and pushes me back, pulling me in again.

  "Try to keep up, Beastie." He says as he steps back, and lifts his right arm to arc above his head, his left hand resting at his thigh. I glare at him, and mirror his posture as we begin to twist and turn, circling one another. The dancers around us begin to stop and surround us, clapping to the beat. A light sweat begins to dampen the back of my neck as my Ponytail swishes behind my shoulders. The beat of the music quickens as The Prince flows toward me again, our bodies clashing creating the hottest flame. His hands find mine and he lifts his arm above his head, spinning me. My hips sway as he steps forward, and I retreat, both of us moving as one being.

  The beat then slows, and the crowd around us claps and cheers, then begins to move around us to begin dancing to a slower song. I smile, joy showing on my face as I find Lillith in the crowd and lock eyes with her. She's laughing, and shakes her head at me. I shake my head back and look to The Prince once more.

  "If I recall correctly, it was you who told me to keep up."

"Yes?" He replies, not bothering to hide his curiosity.

"If I needed to keep up, then why are you the one out of breath?" I taunt, twisting a strand of hair in my long ponytail around my finger.

  He gives me an amused smile and curls his lip, showing a fang. "I'm not out of breath because of you Beastie. I believe even Lilith could dance faster than you." He smirks down at me, his hair falling over his forehead.

  I smirk back at him and shrug. "I wouldn't expect any less of her, Prince. I can't disagree on the slow part, I haven't danced in a long time."

He eyes me silently, and opens his mouth to speak just as movement catches my eye. I look to the left to spot Zenna, strutting towards us. She arrives within seconds and clears her throat.

"Hello, Malakai." She says, her voice dripping with honey.

  "Zenna, Good Evening." The Prince responds, refusing to look at her. He continues to stare at me like I'm the only person in this room, and it begins to unnerve me. I give Zenna a small smile, and she returns it with a glare.

  "Hey, Zenna." I say, looking at her gown. Her gown is white as snow, with crystals flowing up the bodice. My eyebrows raise slightly at the obvious matching of her gown to The Prince's hair. Her blonde hair is long and tucked behind her pointed ears with diamond clips. Her mask is white and elegant with lace flowing over the nose, and covering her eyebrows. Her blue eyes study me, as her lip curls and she huffs.

  "Mal, I thought you were going to dance with me?" She whines, clearly not the same Fae Female who escorted Lilith and I here. I mask my face in a wall of stone, refusing to let her see what I'm thinking. A little shock wave ripples through me as I realize something else. Are Zenna and The Prince.. I look to him and back at her. Did I just dance with another woman's Mate? I almost laugh at that thought. Female Fae have started wars for far less. Let alone, brutal feuds that can last centuries for even looking at their mate. I can't say I blame them, I find myself to be very possessive.

  I look to The Prince to find him frozen in place. He stares down at me with pure ice in his gaze, with a mix of..Irritation? I look back to Zenna to find her nearly fuming, and go to take a step back. A warm hand snaps to mine, and keeps me in place. I look to The Prince in shock, as his eyes find mine. They seem to say, Stay. I glare back at him, I'm not interested in being the scape goat of your lovers quarrel. Amusement cracks the icey mask in his eyes, as he turns to Zenna.

"I've been preoccupied." Is all he says, indifference coating his words.

  Zenna barks a laugh, and looks me up and down. "With who? Her? Oh please Malakai, you can't be serious. She's a peasant who gained fame for killing a King. She's obviously not your type. I came here to dance with you." She pouts, completely ignoring the fact that I'm standing right here. "Look at me Kai, look at how beautiful I am."

  The Prince finally looks at her, and warmth leaks into his gaze. He smiles at her kindly, and dips his chin to her. "You always look beautiful Zenna, but I won't be dancing with you tonight." He grimaces at the last few words, and continues to look at her.

  Zenna's jaw drops, and she laughs. "Gods you're pathetic Malakai. She killed a KING. You're not safe with her. And you." She glares at me, and looks me up and down. "You're even more pathetic." With that she spins on her heel, and stalks away. Her voice plays back in my head to when we entered the Gates. Her warning wasn't about the King or the Court, it was about her.