Picking Petals:

Chapter 11: Dancing in Flames

  I stood at the top of the staircase, hidden by a red curtain as I anxiously waited for Rone.

The Queen and King had been greeted by the announcer, now it was time for Rone and I to be greeted. Before I could have another thought or breathe of relief I seen Rone climbing to the top of the stairs behind me. I wasn't even listening to the announcer anymore.

Rone looked incredibly handsome, his silver hair was slicked back so that I could now see every inch of his face. He had on a black tux that made his white and silver wings stand out. His wings stood behind him beating only slightly, a soft flutter. His eyes were all over me, as if he couldn't get enough. Rone walked up to me and offered his arm so I could lace mine through his, I took it in a complete daze.

I wasn't worried about the crowd, my eyes were on Rone. He shaped up his light beard and he wore a certain confidence to him tonight. It's like you slap a tux on a guy and he looks like a whole different person. We made our way to the bottom of the staircase while everyone started to get some food or dance. The Queen meet my gaze, giving me a pleased nod.

"You two are quite a pair." Rone gave a tight handshake to a man in a crimson hideous red tux. Unlike many Fae, he looked quiet older a bit worn out you could tell he lived his life by greed. A nasty little backlash of using to much power through the years, this man was a ticking time bomb. "I'm Fero, I'm in the kings council."

"Nadia," I said giving Fero a friendly smile, a smile I'd been practicing on to be more, "welcoming."

"I know all about you," Fero laughed as if something were funny. "I heard you laid my good friend Musho on his ass," he smirked sinisterly, his dark green eyes greedily searching for mine. "So is this your date?" He asked suspiciously eyeing us like it was impossible. "If not... I would absolutely love a dance with your Guard."

Rone was at a loss for words. Although I wasn't the empath but his rage was clear. Before Rone could lash out I spoke up, "Yes, I am his date."

"Wow I'm sure Lux will be shocked," Fero said frowning at the two of us in dismay.

"It's none of my father's business. Any how I am a woman with her own choices now," I held my ground. I refused to cower under his sweaty glare. I may only be 18 but I am a woman and also just a girl. There's days where I feel like a defenseless child, than some that I didn't feel like the strong warrior I was.

"Well you two enjoy your night," he said walking off.

"I thought you didn't want to tell people, Fero is a big mouth Im sure by the end of the night everyone will know-"

"Relax," I told Rone, "It was my choice," Plus Feros face was priceless.

He nodded, but he seemed uncomfortable. I hope I did the right thing and not what I wished I could do. Rone deserves to be king, he deserves his peoples trust and if I could help, I would.

We walked around, arm in arm talking to people. Most told Rone and I how amazing we looked, I also had a lot of requests to do a spin in my dress. It was a work of art, Rones words. "I dont mean to sound cocky but I think I have the most beautiful woman in Valkri on my arm," Rone murmured. His face was serious, no sign of jokes.

I bit my lip and smiled, "You're too sweet."

Before he could respond we ran right into Gregory, and some human linked to his arm, practically crawling onto him. "Nadia, wow," he murmured staring at my dress and then at me. "You look different," he gulped.

"Thanks," I said, I almost forgot Gregory would be here.

"Prince Rone, I'm Olivia it's so nice to actually meet you," she purred. She looked over at me and gave me a fake smile, twirling her glossy short blonde hair. "Nice to meet you Nadia, I've heard quite a lot." She pursed her lips like she knew something I didn't.