Stars & Night

[Dance]

I'd learned a fair amount of information from Ophela. She had a knack for talking as if she were projecting aloud her stream of consciousness. There was something comforting about the way she spoke, and although she seemed not to need me to carry the conversation, I appreciated her company.

She'd started by telling me everything there was to know about the upcoming ball. Since the program was only six weeks, there were constantly recruits graduating. So every six weeks, there was a ball organized to celebrate the graduating class as they moved into the infantry. "If they made it" Ophela had emphasized.

The ball was another mandatory event for all recruits. I glared down at the dark red dress that had been left in my room. The bodice was beaded, the dress tight and revealing. I rolled my eyes. I wondered which of the male staff had decided this was appropriate attire for the female recruits.

My thoughts suddenly drifted to Xaiden, and I wondered what he would be wearing tonight. I'd asked Ophela more about him, if only so that I could learn how to see him less. She'd gone on a long tale of how he was the best warrior in the army, maybe even the entire Kingdom of Sahnad. And that he was young, the youngest to have ever been appointed teacher in the academy at the mere age of twenty. He was called to the warfront sometimes, but only when necessary. The general knew Xiaden was too precious an asset to risk often. Then Ophela had gone on some explicit rant detailing what she'd heard from his former lovers and I had zoned out...for most of it.

I prayed that Xiaden would not be in attendance tonight. That I could blend into the background, quietly observing and collecting information.

But I felt in my gut that there would be no such luck for me.

...

The chatter of the ball reverberated through the halls. The soft violin of the orchestra drew me closer, the melancholy melody stirring something deep within me.

The large ballroom had been decorated with dozens of candles, casting a soft glow on the space. A large chandelier hung down at the very center of the room, where students danced, their steps in sync to the music. I could feel eyes on me as I stood admiring the space, so I darted towards the refreshments. I made my way to the edge of the room, against the wall,  in the shadows, and that's where I intended to stay. Quiet. Hidden.

A man began to move towards me, and I instantly recognized him from Tactics. I prayed he would walk past me, and veer towards the refreshments, but he instead, he stopped directly in front of me, a polite smile settling on his face.

"Aila, isn't it?"

"Yes." I said hesitantly, raising my eyebrow. 

"Eron." He blushed slightly. "Sorry if that came off as creepy. Everyone was talking about you after your spar with Xiaden in Combat the other day."

"Good to know." I sighed. My plan of going unnoticed was not going well. 

He cleared his throat. "Would you care to dance, Aila?"

"I uh–" Suddenly the hairs on the back of my neck raised. I could feel someone watching me. And I knew if I turned, that I would be met with familiar honey eyes.

I needed to get through this night without another scene with Xiaden.

" – I'd love to dance." I plastered a smile onto my face, and Eron took my hand and led me out to the dance floor.

He wasn't a bad dancer. Not great, but not bad. And as we glided across the dark tiled floors, I found myself enjoying this freeing moment, however fleeting it would be. I floated through the songs as if I could float right from this building, from this world, and back to wherever I had fallen from. Eron lifted my arm, and began to spin me, around and around, the world turning into a blur. And as I spun, a memory flashed in my mind. An older man was dancing with me. He looked like me, his green eyes a familiar mirror of my own. But he was sad, as he dipped me. I raised my hand to his face to comfort him, and he leaned into it. He said words to me, but I could not make them out.