The Prince's Prisoner

Dance

Chapter 25 - Dance. Enjoy!

Taking the final bike of her cheesecake, dessert eaten with a much more slower grace than the main, Aria was finally content she had eaten enough.

Loki was swirling some wine now, eyes continuing to assess the room around them, picking out people they hadn't spoken too yet and people to check up with.

"I want you to continue by yourself for a while" Loki explained, soaking up the fear that spiked in her, the dependency she was starting to feel. "Just go talk to some of the more natural people here, I have some business to attend."

As he rose, he forced her to rise with him. Turning towards her before she could break away, he skimmed a piece of falling hair behind her ear before leaning down and kissing her. A few comically 'aww's could be heard from the party, the grip Loki still had in her hair the threat to return the kiss, before they went their separate ways with smiles.

Aria gave Rosie an instant 'find me another drink' look, which she did with a playful roll of her eyes.

"Your Grace" someone called her over, a small gathering of stunning woman, all legs and breasts, all that touch more graceful and beautiful than her. She would have to check what her 'official title' actually was, because she was being called all kinds of stuff at this point.

She noticed none of them had rings, and none seemed to have a business stature. Aria tried engaging them on some light politics to check, but they had no idea what she was talking about. She barely knew, only grasped things from Loki's conversations. But she concluded these women were here to pry and find someone to help hoist them into the foreground of society. These were not the type of people she wanted to be talking too, as she could see a pair of women behind them who looked much more genuine.

"You look divine" a woman in a startling red dress complimented, the other colours of the rainbow nodding along. Aria noted no one else had worn green.

"Where did you get this gown?" blue dress asked, going to run her fingers through the fabric but Aria moved away. She didn't know if her anklet would burn her in this event but didn't risk it.

"Loki chose it for me" Aria explained, feeling she had used the word husband enough for a lifetime.

"How gracious" gold dress sneered, eyes roaming the room for him, locking on and practically purring.

Aria was about to make an excuse to depart, when black dress suddenly turned to her with a snide smile.

"Well tell us, Your Grace, how did you two meet?" Aria realised pretty quickly they were trying to get her to slip. They knew to a degree what she went through, and instead of wanting to help, they just wanted to be in her position, the arm of the King and gifted gown and balls.

"Me and the King" Aria forced herself not to choke on the words. "Are rather private about our lives."

The girls nodded falsely in understanding.

"So, nothing on your meeting? Lifestyle or wedding? Did you go on a honeymoon? The wedding night?" They were all staring at her at the end as Aria forced herself not to relive any of what he did at night, gulping purposefully.

"I'm sorry to disappoint, ladies" Aria started, voice luckily as strong as before. "But, please respect our privacy. I must go find my husband now."

"Oh wait" blue dress appeared in her direct path, hands reaching to her dress collar before Aria noticed. When her skin didn't burn, Aria was almost relieved, until blue dress started adjusting her strap. "Just a little off." Her slender fingers skimmed across the scar running over her collar, applying a little too much pressure and making Aria wince through wide eyes. "There" the bitch smirked stepping away and leaving Aria shocked.