Starlight And Mist

The Engagement

A mixture of panic, anger, and fear spiraled together in her mind at the sound of the cool, velvety voice. She gripped her glass and sipped, determined to pretend she hadn't heard him. She looked after where the boy she had just been talking to had gone to, but he had melted into the large crowd of people milling about, dancing, drinking, whispering amongst themselves.
She felt his eyes boring into the back of her head and decided she could no longer ignore him. Composing her face into a calm mask, she whirled around to face him, her too-long dress catching under her heel. She tripped and fell forward, confident that the whole room would witness her crashing to the ballroom floor in a heap. A pair of arms caught her moments before she landed on the floor, whisking her upright in a single smooth motion, setting her feet back on the ground. It took a moment for her brain to catch up, but once it did, she took a small step back.

She looked up at him for the first time, and her breath caught, despite herself. He was much taller than her, his frame muscular and trim. He had black hair that framed his face, and at certain times when the candlelight flickered across it, it almost looked as though it were a deep indigo. His unreadable black eyes looked down at her, a glint giving them an almost impish quality. His jaw looked as though it was chiseled by the gods from the finest marble, as did the rest of his physique. His very being emanating authority and control. There was almost a void around him, as though the light didn't quite touch him, but she figured she was hungry and tired; she was just imagining it. She couldn't help but take in the smell of his skin: something clean and sharp mixed with citrus.

As she stared into his eyes, she realized he still supported her weight. Embarrassed, she freed herself from his grip. She already felt so out of place and hoped no one had seen a common lapse in grace from her. She wished her drink had spilled on her dress as a signal to her betrothed that she had no intention of quietly obeying his every whim. Better he knew that now.

"I was promised a graceful young woman, and it appears I am to be sorely disappointed."

She set her jaw, forcing herself to meet his gaze.

"I think you'll find many things about me to be disappointing. Also, I wouldn't be floundering around like a caught rabbit if I weren't wearing this monstrous dress, which I understand to be at your request."

A look of amusement made its way across his handsome face, the twinkle in his eye more pronounced.

"Somehow, I think I'll enjoy being disappointed. As for the dress, I love to have my own way. And you do look stunning in that dress." He purred.

Her heart lurched oddly in her chest, and she felt warmth creep into her face. Growing up, her father forced her to attend many large parties and balls. He had been determined that she would fit in with the others of her station and age. Her job at those parties was to represent his house and name well. She had always stuck close to Sildra, who was friends with everyone. Sildra would gossip, flirt, and whisper with the other girls. It usually meant that Eiris could be left alone to think about her fighting strategy, history, or astronomy lessons. Most everyone ignored her, pretending she was invisible once she was old enough not to be required to take classes. She had decided long ago that it was better to be ignored than berated and abused.
Someone complimenting her or her attire was an alien concept that stirred and awakened something in her. She squashed the feeling down.

"I'm practically naked. I hope you enjoy it because it won't happen again." She hissed, surprised at her own brazenness.

"I'm enjoying it immensely. Although you look a little out of your element, I believe you'll grow into it eventually."

"And what atrocity have you bestowed on my previous acquaintance? He seemed terrified of you."

He cocked an eyebrow.