Bent But Not Broken

Twelve

Nyxia couldn't stop the smile that lit her face up as she beheld Asael. His eyes flicked up and down her, clearly taking in her appearance.

He then took her hand, to her surprise, and lifted it to his lips, kissing the back of her hand. Nyxia heart soft murmurs, but she ignored him, butterflies fluttering around in her stomach.

When she read a book where "it felt like a whole cage of butterflies escaped in her stomach," Nyxia admittedly didn't know what that was like. In fact, She got puzzled over the expression. How does one know how butterflies felt like in their stomach?

Now she knew. And it wasn't the worst feeling in the world.

"You look absolutely stunning, my lady. The dress looks gorgeous on you." Asael complicated. Nyxia smiled. "You look handsome yourself, my lord."

Of course, he always did, but his eyes glimmered as he looked at her.

"Would you like to dance with me, my lady?" He asked, reaching his hand out.

Almost against her will, she glanced at Kalix. His expression hadn't changed, but Nyxia could have sworn he was looking right at her. Hastily, she turned her gaze back to Asael.

This is what she practiced for, after all. "I'd love to dance." She reached out and took his hand, and he led her to the dance floor, where another dance was just starting.

He took her and spun her, and they began dancing. She struggled a little to keep up with him, but soon she managed to get into a comfortable rhythm, following where his body leaned.

"You're a wonderful dancer. Is this why you've been tragically absent when I visited the last time?"

Nyxia sighed regretfully, she had wanted to see him as well, but...duty called. She nodded. "Yeah, I needed to practice. I had no idea how to dance." She laughed lightly.

Asael's smile warmed. "You're doing wonderful." They fell silent for a few minutes, and Nyxia took those few minutes to admire his emerald eyes. They were gorgeous. There was a hidden depth of intelligence that laid within his eyes that intrigued Nyxia. She wanted to get to know him more.

"Nyxia?"

His voice startled her out of her thoughts.

"Yes, Asael?"

"I would like to spend more time with you, perhaps outside of the palace."  Asael said casually. her eyes lit up. "Really?" She exclaimed. The thought of spending more time with him—outside of the palace, no less!—was thrilling.

"I'd like that." Nyxia said shyly. "I'll talk to his highness about taking you to the festival in the village next week." He murmured.

"There's a festival? What for?" Nyxia heard of festivals, certainly. They were big celebrations, full of food, fun, dancing, and generally having a good time. There were also these things called fireworks, and Nyxia was quite curious about them.

But she hadn't been able to bring herself into believing she'd go to a festival one day. But now..it was a distinct possibility. Nyxia doubted Kalix had any reason to say no to her going with Asael. She'd be safe with him, after all.

Unfortunately, Nyxia could hear the music dying down. They both slowed their steps, until they stood in front of each other in silence.

"If it wasn't improper to dance with someone twice in a row, I'd ask you to dance again, I had a marvelous time." Asael murmured regretfully, stepping back and bowing.

"I—I had a good time too." She sputtered, feeling her face heat up. Damnn him for being so attractive! She turned away, only to come face to face with Kalix. She could only glimpse the envious faces of the other ladies as he spoke to her.

"Dance with me, my lady."

Speechless, she nodded, and he took her hand and swept her into a fast dance. Nyxia hadn't?t thought that he would dance with her, she assumed he'd be busy dancing with other ladies. He was the prince, after all, and most likely in very high demand.

Neither of them spoke while they danced, and Nyxia couldn't help but notice his eyes. They reminded her of the moon, she realized, startled. They both were bright and beautiful. Both had several shades of silver, that hinted at hidden depth.

When Nyxia first saw the moon, she couldn't stop staring at it. It was so large and bright. She decided immediately that she liked the moon, and often stayed up late to look at it, and wonder.

It was the same thing now. Nyxia couldn't help but look at his eyes, and wonder.

The dance ended, and they were both breathing hard. Nyxia could feel sweat sliding down her face and tried not to react.

"Come with me." Kalix murmured, drawing her away from the crowd and onto a balcony, shutting the door behind them.

The moon she loved so dearly was out, stars sparkling in the night sky.

"Thank you, for inviting me to the ball. For dancing with me. It was fun." She said, walking over to lean against the railing. Kalix stood next to her. "Of course. I'm happy you enjoyed yourself."

His words were strangely formal. Nyxia puzzled at that.

"It looks like you had fun dancing with Asael." Kalix said in a low voice, staring fixedly in the distance.

"Yeah, I did." Nyxia said slowly. She didn't know why, but she felt like she had to be very, very careful.

"Does he make you happy?" The question was abrupt, and and Nyxia wondered at that. "He does." Kalix nodded, still not looking at her. She was confused, but his talking about Asael gave her the opening to talk about the question she wanted to ask.

"Asael mentioned that there was a festival next week." She said casually. "He mentioned taking me to it. Do you mind if I go?"

Kalix glanced at her now, his eyes stormy. "No, of course not. You should go, it will be good for you to get out of the castle. He will keep you safe." His voice was strangely flat, and they fell into silence, both staring at the sky.

"Do you remember anything from before your slavery?" Kalix asked abruptly, startling her.

They haven't spoken much about her enslavement at all, and Nyxia hasn't wanted to offer anything up. It still made her flinched whenever she thought about it.

But Nyxia felt like she owed him this.

"No...i can remember very little. Not even of my parents. Just bits and pieces." She couldn't mask the sadness in her voice.

He glanced at her.

"What if there was a way for you to remember?"