The Dark King (Book 1)

Chapter 4

The room of the ball was anything like I've ever seen. The music consisted of piano and violin and everyone was laughing and performing magic tricks like it was nothing.

Free magic without punishment. There was even one guy who could transform into animals as I watch a dog run past my feet.

It was truly magnificent. Music, dancing, magic! The entire kingdom seems to have shown up. We've never had anything like this back home in Craylle. The king would never allow it. If there was a ball it was only for the elite, some party that probably was.

I make my way through the crowd as I catch a few males eyes. One even asking me to dance, I politely turn him down.

"There he is," I hear a whisper.

My attention much like everyone's turns to the front of the ballroom where Rastifen is standing with a girl dressed in black--just like him, she is holding onto his muscled arm. She waves to the crowd and I hear a few snickers.

I didn't know much of Princess Elianna, but from what I can see she isn't liked, not like Raidyn.

"Beautiful ball isn't it?" A voice whispers next to me.

I turn my head to see Arsen dressed sharply in black. "Don't you look handsome?" I smile at him.

"Some say I clean up good." He smirks. The pun isn't lost on me. "Would you like to dance?" He offers his palm to me.

Gladly I take it and we make our way to the dance floor where couples are already flowing with the music.

After a few minutes my eyes search for the dark king and his fiancé as they're not sitting in their throne chairs at the front of the ballroom where I've last seen them. As Arsen spins me I see the king enter the dance floor inching closer to me as he dances with his bride. I can see the electricity in his eyes, I can still feel the burn on my fingertips.

"Shit," I mumble under my breath.

"What's wrong? You can't keep up?" Arsen jokes.

"The king, he entered the dance floor," I keep my head down.

"Close your eyes and lean on me."

My stomach flutters as I do what he says. For some reason I start to feel safe as he holds me close to his body and we elegantly sway to the music. It's a moment lost in time.

"Everyone switch partners to your left!" The general shouts over the music.

Everyone laughs at the drunk general, but complies. I open my eyes and turn to my left right into the arms of the king. Son of a bitch, I keep my head down as I straighten my composure to place my hand on his shoulder, I wish I had made myself taller.

"It's alright, miss. You can look at me. I might shock, but I promise I won't bite." He speaks softly. His voice carries sweetly along to the music.

I look up at him with wide eyes and I feel as if my heart is caught in my throats as I am unable to choke out any words. "Y-Your majesty."

"Shh, it's okay, little dove. We don't have to talk. Just allow me this dance." He soothes, increasing the butterflies in my stomach.

It feel as if the music gets louder and our motions flow like we know the others next move as we sway swiftly across the dance floor. I close my eyes and let the moment swept me away as we move as one. I rest my head on his chest as the music begins to slow.

"I do hope you're enjoying yourself." He whispers in my ear.

"It's magical," I squeeze his hand slightly.