Once Upon His December

Chapter 10 - Waltz

Video above is what I picture later in the chapter for the Plyas  but all men including Nikolai, Vlad and Theodore 😍🤤

Kira

Guests willingly parted for their prince.  I heard the whispers of their curiosity of who the mysterious beauty was Nikolai led to the dance floor.  I hadn't been in public like this before.  My lungs took in deep breaths, chin confidently raised up hoping no one would guess I was merely a maid in a fancy dress.

Nikolai twirled me around once then spun me into hold.   A giggle of joy bubbled from me and made my stomach do a little flip.  Nikolai's breath hitched softly when I slid my flattened hand up his chest.  I leisurely traveled up the fur lining of his caftan until it settled on his shoulder.  I licked  my slightly parted lips, shyly meeting his shimmering orbs with my own.  The way he gazed down at me had my knees weak.

When the music began, I followed Nikolai's lead in the box steps of the waltz.  For the first part of the song, we were the only couple on the floor.  I hardly noticed because I was getting lost in Nikolai's gray depths.  They drowned me in their beauty and mystery.  He was a mystery himself.  A puzzle I couldn't figure out.  It made me nervous yet excited. 

For these precious moments, we were not heir and maid.  We were two young adults engrossed in a dance with each other. 

I knew what was coming when Nikolai's hands released me and went to my waist.  He lifted and twirled me in the air in a full circle.  Tilting my head up, I grinned at the sensation of soaring.  I felt free.  Each time Nikolai twirled me, I laughed with unhindered joy at the exhilaration.

Part way through the song, Nikolai briefly paused and gestured for other guests to join.  Soon we were surrounded with many other couples doing the same dance.  Laughter and joy filled the room with an infectious brightness. 

****
Theodore

I stood leaning against the wall, arms firmly across my chest, eyes boring fiercely into Nikolai as he danced with Kira.  Anger slowly bubbled inside me fueled by cold jealousy.  It was only matched by the pout on Lada.  She came to stand beside me, also fuming. Her anger was aimed at Kira.

"What is he doing?" Lada seethed bitterly. 

"Making a fool of himself," I mumbled back.  "He will just hurt her, but it's alright." Lada scoffed.  "I'll be there to pick her up when he does."

Lada's dark brown gems flickered with understanding and she grinned at me. 

****
Kira

Too soon the song ended and Nikolai twirled me one last time out then back against his chest.  I stepped back to curtsy like all the other female dancers.  Nikolai bowed deeply as did all the other male partners.

When we both straightened, more partners were already getting into position for another allemande.  However, Nikolai and I might as well have been the only couple in the room.  Hope lit inside me with the warmth of Nikola's gaze.

A soft, warm hand lifted to cup my cheek.  It slid to the back of my head raking into my strawberry blonde locks, left loose since I didn't know how to style it.  Nikolai slowly ran his fingers through my soft hair, seemingly lost in the rich color and silky feel of the tendrils. 

My eyes rolled closed at the sensation.  I was loving my hair being played with so tenderly.  Nikolai took the opportunity to lean in.  I hoped he wouldn't stop.  I wanted to taste his  lips.  My cheeks were flushed from the dance, my chest rose and fell steadily, lips parted to catch my breath.  I had never felt so radiant.