CHAPTER FIVE - A Dance Before The Dawn
Elara's POV :
Kael Dravo stood in front of me, standing where the candlelight gave up to the moon. The faint silver light from the hallway windows brushed against his sharp features, cheekbones cut from glass, eyes an unsettling shade of blue.
The faintest smile curving on his mouth, like he knew I'd say no.
"I didn't realize shadow weavers were fond of waltzes," I said, folding my arms behind me.
His smile deepened, "We adapt."
"What would a Dravo want with a Valen?" I asked, keeping my tone even.
"A dance," he said simply, extending his hand.
I raised an eyebrow, suspicious of what this was about.
"That's unexpected, come to finally bow to light hmm? Tired of lurking in the dark?" I taunted with a sly smirk forming on my lips.
He tilted his head slightly, a half smile ghosting across his lips, "Darkness doesn't lurk Valen, it waits."
Of course he'd say something like that. Every rumor about him painted him as an heir who wielded charm like a curse.
His shadows curled toward me, faint tendrils brushing against my gown as if testing the edges of flame.
For a heartbeat, neither of us moved. The faint hum of music bled from the ballroom beyond, and his outstretched hand waited, unapologetic.
"Unfortunately," I said stepping back, " I'm not in the habit of dancing with people I don't trust." I filled in the silence and walked towards the double doors.
"Trust?" He echoed, stepping closer. "Do you trust anyone here?"
My hand stilled on the door handle, not because of him, but ecause he was right. The palace for all its light hummed with secrets.
"Thought so," he murmured.
I pushed open the doors and walked back into the ball, leaving his shadows and whatever game this was, behind me.
An Aiden who looked like he'd had too much to drink walked towards me, "Elara! Come join us, it's time for the rotation dance." I sighed.
I'd forgotten this part of a traditional Eridorian ball. The rotation dance was one where candidates had to dance with multiple partners to show the unity among houses.
How perfect.
I offered him a polite smile and placed my hand in his. The air felt different, like there was magic. A spell to synchronize the movements of many dancers.
Kai bowed lightly as the first song began, "Try not to step on my feet Valen."
"I'll have you know I'm an amazing dancer." I smirked. We moved in rhythm, a pattern we both memorized. He was light footed and charming to dance with.
When the music shifted, partners exchanged places. I turned, caught another noble's hands. Then another until I found myself with the illusionist.
"Hello miss Valen." He spoke while we danced. I recognized him easily, his gold hair and dark eyes stood out.
"Elara please." I quickly mentioned, I didn't like the formalities.
"Elara, your performance earlier today was outstanding. You're a real force, effortlessly." He commended as we turned.
"Thank you," I started, "I could say the same about you, the people obviously believed your illusions, including myself." I said with a smile.
"Nothing is ever as it seems." He winked and turned me into the hands of someone else.
I danced through the rotation, the faces blurring one after the other. There were a lot of contestants, they definitely had over fifty more people while I slept in the evening.
My feet were getting sore but I was enjoying myself. The small talk was exhausting but other conversations were light hearted and filled with laughter.
The music swelled until I turned and a cold hand caught mine.
Amusement flickered in Kael's eyes.
"Seems fate favors irony," he murmured."Or you bribed the conductor, relentless, are we?" I replied, his other hand rested lightly on my waist.
"I'm not that desperate." He said as the music guided our steps, forcing us to align. Fire and shadow moved together, unwillingly yet intertwined.
He spun me around and pulled me closer.
I noticed his features better with the lighting. He had a scar on his left eyebrow, it looked deep. He had a very defined face, eyelashes long enough to make any girl jealous. His skin was clear and had a glowy dew.
His looks were not exaggerated, almost under hyped but as good as he looks, his looks are good as dead.
"Staring, are we?" He said quietly, the corner of his mouth lifting. I rolled my eyes.
"I thought you only dance with those your trusted." He whispered.
"I don't," I said meeting his gaze without faltering. "But I follow rules, even the foolish ones." I added.
For a fleeting moment, we moved like two opposing forces made to orbit each other.
When the song ended, I stepped back, breaking contact before the applause began and he faded into the crowd.
"Hi El," Lira suddenly spoke while I was walking towards the food table.
"Dear apprentice, where have you been?" I asked before I took her in, she wore a dress with a deep shade of green. It's silk material glowed, highlighting her pink waves, " And why aren't you dressed in your usual attire? I asked.
"I snuck away after we finished a lesson. Plus, today is one of those days we're laid off early. Couldn't hurt to have some fun." She explained.
"You look stunning," I complimented with a smile, "Here to steal a certain twin?" I jokingly winked at her.
"Maybe, maybe not." She said cunningly, her eyes scanning the crowd.
"I'll be leaving soon, tired feet," I told her, she nodded and walked away to socialize.
I soon got tired of the music and the people. I said my goodbyes to Lira and Aiden and retired to my quarters. I released myself of the corset and had a very relaxing bath with the bath oils Carissa had left earlier before slipping into comfortable clothes.
The music and noise from the palace soon faded and only the soft chirping of crickets filled the air.
I stepped into the balcony, the cool air brushing against my skin. A small flame sparked to life in my palm, I let it grow and drift toward a tree before putting it out. The ember vanishing into the dark.
"Impressive" I heard a voice say, "You don't get rid of Dravos in their natural habitat," I didn't need to look before identifying the voice.
He moved through his shadows and appeared beneath my balcony.
"Do you ever walk anywhere normally?" I asked, not hiding the edge in my voice.
"Habit," he said simply, "Trained to move unseen."
"Oh I can see you just fine," I replied.
"That's because I wanted you to." His tone wasn't boastful, just stating a fact, and somehow made it worse.
We stood there in silence.
"If you're here to taunt me as a tactic to eliminate me out of the Trials, trust me, you've picked the wrong Valen. I'm not interested in your house's games." I said.
The shadows behind him rippled faintly, and for a moment they reached the edge of the balcony, like could climb if they willed it.
"No games, just warnings." He replied.
"Enjoy your riddles Dravo, go back to your darkness." I said with a bored expression.
"Just remember, shadow will always learn where fire would fall."
And then he was gone.
I walked back inside but I could feel unease in my chest.
"Cursed fear induction magic." I murmured while laying down. I was sure he used his magic to induce fear in me, I had no reason to be uneasy.
The night air still clung to me, cold, heavy and somehow threaded with his words.