The Moon Dancer

Chapter 3

Her eyes burned.

The world seemed to blur together. Ruhya could hardly see anything, all she could focus on was the pain in her eyes. In a graceful bow, she scooped up her discarded blindfold. Quickly she tied the silk scarf around her eyes. In the few seconds before the scarf was over her eyes, Ruhya saw something that sent a small chill down her spine.

A pair of ruby red eyes were staring at her with a terrifying intensity.

Uneasily Ruhya bowed a few more times before scurrying into the shadows. She turned around in confusion and pain. It was too loud for her to get her bearings. Panic started to sink in, she was having a sensory overload.

Ruhya swung her arms around, searching for a chair to sit it. She yelled in surprise as a pair of hands grabbed onto her arm and yanked her forward. She crashed into a solid chest, her nose stung slightly from the collision.

"It's okay, follow me." A voice said as it grabbed Ruhya by the shoulders and guided her away from the large crowd. Ruhya blindly followed the voice, in too much pain to think clearly.

Fresh air cooled Ruhya's face as she was guided to an open balcony. Carefully she leaned on the edge and took deep breathes. Her rapid heartbeat slowed down to a normal pace as she calmed herself.

"Feeling better?"

"Much better, thanks Peli." Ruhya replied, as she finally recognized the voice. There was the sound of rustling clothes before a jacket was placed over Ruhya's shoulders.

"It's pretty cold out here, I wouldn't want you to get sick." Peli said. Ruhya thanked him again and leaned closer to him for warmth. Her dancing costume was pretty, but it did little to protect her from the cold nights of Kou. Hesitantly Peli wrapped an arm around Ruhya and held her close.

Peli closed his eyes and tried to memorize how Ruhya felt against him. He was big for a 16-year-old, and Ruhya's slim body fit perfectly against his. He had never held her so close before, and he savored every moment. Her hair smelled like lavender, and Peli decided that it was his new favorite scent. 

Peli had been an apprentice musician when he first saw Ruhya. He was 12 years old when his teacher decided to take him to Ravoi's circus so he could observe the musicians. It was there that Peli saw Ruhya. He fell for her at first sight, captivated by her dance moves and magical ability. Peli was filled with one desire, he wanted to be the one who's music Ruhya danced to. After years of vigorous studying and training, Peli became the youngest musician hired by Ravoi's Traveling Circus of Wonders. His wish to play for Ruhya was fulfilled, but now he wanted more. As he held her, he let his imagination run and pretended that their embrace was more than just a way to keep warm.

The still night seemed like the perfect setting, but one thing kept Peli from asking Ruhya the question that he really wanted to ask. Something he had heard was bothering him.

"Ruhya, what did Ravoi mean when he said this was your last show? Did he mean that you were the last performance of the night?" Peli asked, his voice filled with apprehension. Ruhya pulled away from their embrace and leaned on the balcony. She had the biggest smile on her face that Peli had seen. His heart skipped a beat and he wondered what had happened to make Ruhya smile so widely. Slowly Ruhya untied her blindfold, her face illuminated by the moon.

"I'm free!" She exclaimed as she spun to face Peli. Her eyes glowed as purple and yellow swirled around in her irises. Peli could not help but stare, Ruhya had never looked so beautiful. He was so enthralled by Ruhya that he didn't quite process what she had said.

"I'm sorry, what?"

"Ravoi said that he was going to set me free! I'll finally be able to leave the circus and be on my own!" Ruhya blurted, her eyes glowing brighter with her increase of excitement.