Kiss Of Darkness

Chapter 11: Dance Of Fire IV

Lillian followed behind the prince who was walking so fast, keeping up with him caused her to begin breathing heavily after a few moments.

He led her through the back door of the castle and she was amazed to find a tent there. It wasn't a small one either, it was large, striped and had tall, lanky people loitering around it.

All were in uniform, a striped red and green sleeveless top and matching bottoms. Obviously, this was a set of gymnasts.

The only thing Lillian found odd about the fellows were their intimidating heights and unusual physical features.

They looked unreal.

"These are this year's contortionists," Gilbert explained. "I picked them out myself."

At that, Lily turned to him with surprised brows. "You?"

Gilbert replied, "Yes. Most people are unaware but I am a huge supporter of the masquerades and contortionists, and especially the dance of fire."

"You have seen it?," Lily asked with an inaudible, short gasp. "I assumed you haven't."

Gilbert smiled. "I snuck away from the castle to watch the last performance. It was riveting to watch! And I was immediately drawn to it."

"It must have been very entertaining then, to capture your attention," Lily replied.

"You do not take me as one to enjoy thrilling things like this?," Gilbert asked.

Lily said, "No, not quite, your highness."

"How insensitive," Gilbert clicked his tongue, causing the young lady to huff in annoyance.

"Forgive me for thinking such a gentleman as yourself would not like a dance were the mortality rate is awfully high," Lily put emphasis on the word 'gentleman' so he could tell her sarcasm.

And Gilbert did notice it. However, he did well to ignore it.

"Flattery won't get you far, I am afraid, Lillian," he countered. "And because I look like I do not enjoy something of that sort does not mean I do not."

Lillian pursed her lips with a subtle eye roll.

"Take you for instance, Lillian, you look like such a wonderful, lovely, gentle young lady. No body would guess you seek out danger for fun," Gilbert went on. "One would think you are well-mannered as well, but you cannot control your curiosity."

Lily glared at him. "I am sorry, your highness. But did you just insinuate that I am ill-mannered?"

Gilbert chuckled, "Did I?"

His eyes were still on the men and women around the tent. "And considering your boundless curiosity, I imagined you would have asked the one question that plagued even my thoughts when I first laid my eyes in these people."

"They possess odd features, don't you agree?," he asked.

Lillian nodded, turning her attention back to the odd humans. "I was about to ask. Does it have anything to do with their contortions or perhaps, they are just born this way?"

"They were born this way, from what I have learned," Gilbert replied. Lily was in awe, fascinated with the fact that humans could be born with such a large, lanky structure. "However, I don't believe humans could be born that way."

Lily turned her gaze to him. "What do you mean by that, your highness?"

"I mean exactly what I said, Lillian," Gilbert replied. "Have you ever considered humans may not only be the inhabitants of their world?"