Ariadne has always been a dreamer. Her mother would always say she was away with the faeries.
Until one night, an envelope shrouded with magic lands at her doorstep, inviting her to the dance of the damned in the enchanting land of Altoria.
It's m...
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Ariadne wearily entered the ball that night. It was the fourth night in a row, and so far no one had passed out, or even fell off a chair. To Ariadne, that was dull, she had at least expected to see some sort of entertainment at court, maybe a jester; but no such luck.
Tonight, Ariadne was garbed in a wonderful full length black gown. The bodice dipped low at the chest, before tapering to points at her shoulders that were held up by thin straps, while it fell into a point at the waist. The skirt was plain and flared over her hips as it touched the ground in soft folds. Her dress would have been unremarkable if it didn't have lace along the seams of the bodice or the row of black feathers stitched at the hips.
A matching feather collar swept over both her shoulders and fanned out behind her neck. Delicate onyx jewellery adorned her neck in a fragile beaded choker and drop earrings.
Her dress was her armour, and she ran her hands across the black pearls that were nestled against the lace. Ariadne forced a small smile to light up her face. It turned genuine when once again, Lord Orin stepped forward to ask her to dance.
Lord Orin wore a navy blue brocade suit, it was ornate and boasted a silver metallic pattern all along his slim cut waistcoat. His shirt was made of cotton and at his throat sat a neatly arranged cravat held together by an obsidian crystal pin. His hair was loose about his shoulders, and he bent over Ariadne's hand as he placed a kiss across her knuckles.
"It's wonderful to see you again. I was beginning to think you had forgotten me," he smiled charmingly.
Ariadne took his elbow and stepped forward with him. She looked up at him through her thick eyelashes and she took a deep breath.
"I'm sorry, Kallen's been making sure I've been preoccupied... But tonight, only you have my full attention, no one else."
Lord Orin smiled and guided her onto the dance floor. The Fae around them parted and let them through.
"Ah. I see. You two are M'anam, then?" Orin's face fell slightly.
Ariadne lightly gripped his hand, while her other was placed on his shoulder. His free hand hung at his side, lost. Ariadne's hand briefly left its perch at his shoulder to guide his hand to her waist. Once it was sat there gently, her hand crept back to his shoulder.
Ariadne looked at the underside of his chin, as his gaze was elsewhere. Ariadne gently lead Orin into a turn and saw why. Kallen was dancing with Elena again, but his eyes followed Ariadne's every move. Ariadne gently nudged Orin's thigh.
"Look at me," Ariadne said softly.
Orin gazed down at her quickly, before his eyes snapped back to watching Kallen. Ariadne paused, and Orin stumbled as they jolted to a stop. Ariadne lightly smacked his chest as her breath caught in her throat. Orin looked at her fully for a fraction of a second before his gaze was back to Kallen. Ariadne pushed against Orin's chest and slipped out of his loose embrace.
