The Cadre of Embers

Chapter 23

 After stuffing herself so full of delicious dessert pastries and decadently piped shortbread cookies, that she thought her dress would rip at the seams, Althea and the others all made their way to the ballroom.

She now waltzed with Jasper for a second song. She silently thanked him for dancing slightly slower than the rest of the coupled dancers around them, as she was still a bit full from all of the tasty sweets.

He twirled her around and around with an outstretched hand as her layered gown whirled around her, fluttering up to reveal the sparkling heeled shoes she wore beneath.

Jasper swept her into his arms again and placed his chin on her shoulder. "I am so delighted that you're mine, all mine to love and cherish forever more," Jasper whispered into her ear, placing a warm, gentle kiss onto her neck.

He pulled away to look into Althea's emerald eyes. She smiled back up at him, forcing the feelings that arose within her at his statement, to the back of her mind. Thoughts that she knew she shouldn't be feeling... thoughts she didn't even want to be feeling! She loved Jasper! So why was the thought of him declaring his forever love of her making her feel this way? She didn't even know what she was feeling exactly. Althea knew it was likely just the idea that someone could love her so deeply that plagued her.

The music boomed through the ballroom as Jasper swept her across the floor, her glittering gown swaying with her as the music began its decrescendo towards a close, finishing with a sombre violin chord.

Jasper pulled her close to him as the song came to a complete close, leaving a kiss on her lips. It was brief, but still brought a rosy tint to her cheeks.

As couples began readying themselves for their next dance, or exiting back to their seats, Jasper gave her a look, as if to ask, 'what would you like to do?'

"I think I had one too many glasses of champagne, I'm going to go to the powder room, if you'll excuse me," she smiled, pulling her hand from Jasper's warm caress.

"Are you sure you'd not like me to escort you?" he called from behind her as she took a step away from him.

"No it's quite alright, you go enjoy yourself and I'll be back shortly!" She turned to him, blowing him a kiss with her hand. He pretended to catch it with a wink and turned away from her to sit back down.

Althea had not been lying, she did need to use the powder room, but if she were being completely honest, she mostly needed cool air and space. The ballroom was not nearly as packed as it had been at the fall equinox ball, but it was still balmy from all the people dancing.

Althea scaled the stairs, feeling the cool swirl of air hit her as soon as she walked from the ballroom into the main corridor, turning towards the dining hall where the powder room was located.

She didn't walk too quickly, savouring both the fresh air and the moment of being in isolation. As she moseyed through the nearly vacant corridor, passing by the dining hall, its wide doors still opened, a sound caused her to stop. A laugh.

Althea took a step back, peaking into the room. Arsalan stood talking with one of the servants, an older woman who handed him a covered plate of food. He didn't wear a tailored suit or any attire consistent with a ball. No, he wore plain loose fitting trousers and a white cotton tunic. He was laughing at something she'd said, before thanking her and beginning to turn this way. Althea quickly removed herself from his view and positioned herself so it would look like she was just walking back from the powder room. Right as she was about to pass the doorway once more, he walked right in front of her and she halted, pretending to be startled. She was only curious why he'd not attended the ball... she knew he'd told her he didn't celebrate Yuletide but she at least thought he would feast with them.