The Blitz (BEING REVISED)

Chapter Fourteen: The Return

A roaring fire blazed in a stone encased firepit, many people sat around the pit; the flames casting dancing shadows on their sorrowful faces. Twanette’s aunt stood with her back to her family, her sad face staring into the blaze like it held all the answers.

“Antonio was a fierce warrior, his legacy will always be memorialized in his children and tales of his adventures,” Eilith paused and closed her eyes, her words catching in her throat. “But he would not want us to linger in sadness, he was a man of action and would rather us celebrate his life and be happy that the family is together once more!” Her voice rose with passion and the people around her--mostly men--cheered loudly. “Now, I hate to ask, but Twanette; might you grace us with a dance?” Twanette’s eyes widened and she flushed deeply as the people around her whooped and cheered her on.

“I haven’t danced in so long though…” She trailed off and Eilith laughed at her shyness.

“Oh come one! You’re dressed for it, so get on up here,” she pointed to the spot next to her and Twanette warily walked over; the light coins on her pants clinking. Eilith walked over to a log bench and sat next to the twins. Twixy swallowed nervously and locked eyes with Dimitri who gave her a big smile.

“Would you come help me?” She said softly and he nodded in return, getting up and walking over to her. Twanette leaned into him and whispered softly into his ear, much to the curiosity of the others. He stepped apart from her and they bowed quickly before raising an arm and touching it to the other’s wrist. Their hands cradling nothing, looking like an empty chalice. They swirled away from one another and touched their other wrists. Repeatedly spinning round each other. Their movements picked up in speed, their graceful movements becoming a fighting dance. They grasped hands and pulled each other in, balancing on a leg as they spun and jumped away. Their dance mesmerized the people around them, awe showing on the fire shadowed faces. When the couple completed, they stood less than an inch apart, perspiration on their faces. The group clapped loudly and the two stood normally, Dimitri slinking an arm around her bare waist.

As the funeral pyre died down, the group returned to the castle, joining the rest of their company in the main hall. Twixy was arm in arm with Dimitri, who was grinning ear to ear.

“Damn, I’m starving,” he said, and pulled his attachment to a table adorned in gold and silver diningware and food of all sorts. “Dancing really drains you, don’t it?” Twixy giggled, agreeing, as he winked and waggled his eyebrows. He handed her a goblet of red wine, took a mug of mead for himself, and eyed the assortment of meats. Twixy took a delicate silver plate with a small portion of quail.

“Dimitri, do you want some--” she trailed off as she turned to Dimitri, who was stuffing his face with mutton. His eyes sparkling, he gave her a puppy-like look of innocence as he finished his mouthful.

“Nah,” he said, grinning. “I’ve found the manly things.”

Twanette hid her grin with her goblet as she took a sip. “I can see that.”

Dimitri finished his meal of mutton, downed the last of his mead, and held out his hand to Twixy and bowed low as a new, slower song was started by the musicians in the hall. His smile was lopsided and boyish. “May I have this dance?”

Twanette stood there a few moments, blushing madly, before she finally blurted, “Sure,” and took his hand. She regretted her choice of word immediately, but Dimitri was unfazed. He was still grinning ear to ear as he led her near the center of the hall. The rogue rested his free hand on the small of her back and pulled her closer to his body, his hazel gaze holding her own aquamarine one. She hesitantly put her hand on his shoulder after a moment. They danced, entranced by each other, for what seemed like an eternity, when the song ended suddenly, breaking the spell. Dimitri leaned closer to her, slowly, and Twixy stood on her toes, closing the gap between their lips. His kiss was warm, soft, inviting, and it seemed to melt all of her worries and sadness. They stood there, in their own perfect heaven, fighting to make their kiss last.