THE DANCING GIRL

Chapter 5

"RAJKUMAR!" Noor said, collecting herself. She dipped her head. "I apologize, I didn't mean to—"

Rajkumar Vikram let out a small laugh. "Isn't this a change from the other day."

Noor bit her lip, cursing at herself in her mind. "Rajkumar, I want to apologize for then. I was incredibly rude, and I'm grateful you didn't punish me."

"Look up," the Rajkumar said softly.

Noor obeyed his order and found herself staring into his deep, cinnamon eyes.

He smiled. "That's better. I fear I don't much like the custom of not looking your conversation partner in the eye."

Noor's eyebrows furrowed. "What?" She said, despite trying to remain silent.

"No one avoided my eyes at Jaisled. I'm afraid I'm just not used to it," the Rajkumar said matter-of-factly.

Noor blinked rapidly. "It's...we have to."

The Rajkumar smiled softly. "Not with me."

Noor only nodded.

"You are a wonderful dancer, by the way," the Rajkumar said. "I could barely keep my eyes off you."

Noor's cheeks heated up. "You were meant to be looking at Nazrat."

The Rajkumar shrugged. "I was led to believe I could look at whichever dancer I wanted."

Noor's stomach sank as she remembered he'd been part of that group leering at them during their dance.

"I didn't mean it that way," the Rajkumar said quickly. "That—that came out wrong."

"You can say whatever you wish, Rajkumar," Noor said quietly. "If you may excuse me, I really should be going."

"I apologize," the Rajkumar said. "What I said was rude, and crass."

Noor stared at him, taken off guard. "You don't have to apologize."

He shook his head. "Yes, I do. I was taught better than to say things like that."

Noor nodded, giving him a small smile. "It's fine, really." And it was. He had apologized, something Sher Butnam wouldn't even have thought of, and he seemed genuine.

He offered her a smile. "May I know your name?"

He could have just ordered her to tell him. "Noor," she said.

He smiled. "A beautiful name."

Noor found herself smiling as well.

"Rajkumar!"

They both started, turning to see a noble walking towards them.

Noor tensed. It was Sher Butnam.

Sher Butnam reached them and slung and arm around the Rajkumar, making the slightly shorter man stumble. "Where have you been? We've been waiting for you!" He glanced at Noor. "Who are you? What are you doing here?"

Rajkumar Vikram straightened, letting Sher Butnam's arm slip off his shoulders. "I bumped into her, Butnam."

Sher Butnam turned his dark-eyed gaze on her. "Go to your quarters."

Noor didn't waste a second to bob her head and bring her palms together before turning and scurrying away. She slowed only when she reached the dancers' quarters, rubbing her arms. Sher Butnam made the hair on her arms stand straight. The man had the soul of a demon.

She shuddered, going to her room. She changed quickly and left, nearly running to the dining area. Some of the servants had already started leaving. She grimaced and walked in, looking for Amir in the crowd.