Thorns of Fate: Serendipity Saga Book One

Chapter Twenty-Four

Carson strode around the room purposefully, moving things out of the way. I watched him with growing confusion. At long last he approached me again.

"Can you dance?" He asked.

I gazed at him, more confused than ever. This wasn't exactly how I had suspected our time alone tonight to go.

"Dance?" I replied.

A small smile graded his face. "Yes, dance."

I shrugged after another moment trying to puzzle out his intentions. "Sort of," I responded.

He suddenly swept over to me, and I fought the startled jump that tried to take place. He was inches from me, grinning down at me. "There is a dance, during the coronation ball, in which you dance with someone. It's traditional known as the Suitor's Dance. Before all of this insanity amongst the Magick court, you would've been expected to dance with Anton as your suitor. Now though, it seems you'll get to select your dance partner."

He eyed me playfully.

I imagined myself being swayed around a dance floor, Anton's hand locked in mine, guiding me in graceful spins across the room. I grimaced.

"So, my dad just hoped I knew how to dance?" I asked incredulously.

Carson pushed aside the couch, the lost obstacle in the center of the room, watching me with an amused smile. "I presume his guidance there got a bit lost in the shuffle," he replied.

I tried to be irritated. The thought of me stumbling and following after someone in moves I didn't understand in front of the entire Magick council, was humiliating. But then I considered all my father had done for me in my time as a vampire.

He had interrogated people, led countless assaults on factions of witches, and still managed to run his house, and get me in for fight sessions, and coronation ball prep. I supposed I couldn't fault him for losing a few lessons on how to pirouette.

"Will you be my partner?" I asked.

He stuttered to a stop midstep, gazing at me over his shoulder. He looked thoughtful for a moment, mulling over some train of thought. Then he stepped closer to me, nodding down at me. "It's traditional for the partner to be another of the Magick court, but your coronation process has been anything but traditional. I would be honored."

I beamed. His words seeped into me. "My father won't be offended by that or something will he?" I asked him, watching him come closer cautiously.

He huffed a laugh. "I don't think your father would be offended by anything you do," he replied. "Some could say some choice things about him, but it's never been a question about how much he dotes on his daughter. I don't think that you could do anything wrong in his eyes."

He was probably right. My dad hadn't exactly set any particular ground rules. He probably trusted me in whatever choice I made.

Carson stepped forward again, gesturing for me to raise my arms. I lifted them quickly. He then took one of my hands, looping my arm around his waist and pressed my fingertips just to the side of the center of his spine. He then clasped my other free hand in midair. His other hand looped around my back, pressing gently just inside my shoulder blade.

He pushed forward, indicating the step with his fingers. I followed, taking a step back. He seemed to be able to direct me better with that touch than words might have.

"I'll lead, you follow. Try to match my steps."

I nodded as he began to guide me around the room, locked into his arms.