Princess of Faerl
51. Beyond the Dance

*Elentari*

Once everyone calmed a bit, I tried to calm myself. It took a while, but I was gonna get through this. They wouldn’t steal it all from me again. Never again. We had all been introduced and our family sat at the head table. Aranelda and his partners are next to Alaric, me and Hephaestus next to Belle. There were so many people taking pictures. It was crazy. The emcee stood and his voice boomed across the room.

“Now it is time for the Royal dance.”

I blushed deeply. Dancing in front of so many people was not something I was used to, nor I wanted to do. Belle and Alaric stood, motioning for Aran and me to stand as well. I saw a very conflicted look spread over Aran’s face. He had two mates. He had no idea how to choose which one to dance with. Both girls stood, each taking his hand, smiling the whole way. He seemed to relax.

“I’m not much of a dancer,” Hep whispered into my ear, “I apologize if I step on your toes at any point. I’ll do my best not to.” I grinned, trying not to laugh at him.

“Believe it or not, I don’t really know how to dance either. So we’re on a level playing field here.” I couldn’t believe I had such an amazing person to dance with and share my life with.

I was shocked when I heard very modern music playing, specifically one of my all-time favorite songs, “Until Eternity” by Blackbriar. I couldn’t help but softly sing along in my head as we held each other close, moving in gentle circles around the dance floor. I had no idea all eyes were locked on me. Nor did I realize I was singing out loud.

When the song ended, I was so wrapped up in the comfort of Hep’s arms I didn’t notice it had stopped until he dipped his head and gently kissed my cheek. “You’re breath-taking my dear. I had no idea you could sing like that.”

I tried not to seem stunned, “I was singing? Is everyone okay? Did I break anything?” I asked nervously.

“Everything is fine, but I think you have a lot of fans at this point.” His grin magnified as he spun me so I could look around the room. All eyes were on me and I felt mortified. I know I shouldn’t have felt that way, but there were too many, and I couldn’t believe they could all hear me.

Once I could breathe again, I realized some were hypnotized. It was strange. “I’m sorry..” I whispered softly, “Please resume what you were doing.” It was as if a spell had been lifted and all started talking and eating again. I would have to ask Belle about that later. For now, I wanted to shrug it off and keep moving forward.

I noticed that Stacie, Eliza, and Aran were taking turns dancing with one another. Sometimes him with one of the ladies, sometimes the ladies together. It warmed my heart to see this. I was glad Eliza was warming up to Stacie.

Hep tipped my chin towards him while we danced, his eyes shining with love. He leaned down and kissed my lips, the gentle sensation sending sparks through my body, almost as if lighting me on fire from the inside. This is what magic is… I bit my lip as he pulled away, “I don’t want to be too much for you while we’re in mixed company, and I want you to be comfortable with me before I drive you insane. Which I promise you, I will drive you insane. Hundreds of years of waiting for you to come back to me, I almost can’t believe you’re in my arms.”

My eyes went wide, “Wait, what? What do you mean you’ve waited for me for hundreds of years to come back to you?” I didn’t understand at all.

“You’ve lived before, my love. Numerous times. I only met you once, for a very short period of time. But that life is why Aphrodite is tied to me, to you, and because of your tie to Selene. It is a lot to explain, but I will do my best to tell you everything I can. Selene will need to fill you in on the rest.” My head was swimming with thoughts now. This sounded insane. You only hear about this stuff in books, right? “Don’t overthink it right now. Don’t feel you need to understand everything right now. You don’t need to be what you feel anyone expects you to be. We will still be by your side. Your parents, your siblings, myself. We’re not going anywhere. When you’re ready, Selene can also fill in pieces that I cannot. Don’t rush yourself and don’t feel beholden, I guess is what I’m trying to say.”

I appreciated everything about him at that moment. Not that I didn’t at other moments, just very deeply right now. It felt nice knowing that I wasn’t going to be pressured into anything or pushed to speed up my learning process. There was so much that was new. “Thank you, Hep. You truly are wonderful to me.” I looked up to him and kissed him on his cheek. I swear to the gods I saw him blush.

The night went on without any further incident and everyone seemed to have a good time. Aran and the girls disappeared at some point, and I had to laugh. I could guess what they were all up to. My feet were getting sore and the party was winding down, so I went to replace my parents, hand in hand with Hep.

“You look like you’ve had a good evening!” Alaric smiled at me, offering Hep and me some sort of drink.

“I have, but I am utterly exhausted. I was wondering if I could be excused? My feet are killing me and I hate these heels.” I pouted a bit, looking up at the four of them with the biggest doe eyes I could muster. I did not want to have to be in this hall any longer.

“Awe, well, with both of the guests of honor disappearing, I fear we may not hold others’ attention much longer. Besides, I think this was unintentionally a Mate Ball!” Belle laughed a little. I hadn’t noticed but a lot of people were pairing off into the far corners of the room. “We’ve had many pay their respects early as they found their mates.”

“I wish them all the happiness in the world, but if I don’t get these torture traps off my feet, I may end up screaming. If I do that, you might not have any glassware left.” I laughed a little, happy I could finally joke about the things I had kept hidden for so long.

“Speaking of, Little Love, we need to replace out what all you have the ability to do. That singing performance earlier was enchanting.” Alaric kissed my forehead, “I am sure if you need help getting back to your room, Hep would have no problems carrying you so you don’t have to walk.” I was shocked as he winked at Hep.

“Only if she wishes, Your Majesty.” His smile was like a silly schoolboy’s.

“Good night, Starlight. I hope you rest well and be safe.” He turned to Hep, “I mean that, be safe. I don’t need to be a grandpa yet.”

I died of embarrassment, dragging Hep out of the courtyard with a chorus of laughs from the parental units. “Oh, my gods. I’m so sorry. They can be so embarrassing!” My face was completely flush.

“Well, his concern is valid once you’ve accepted me.” Hep tried to hold back a laugh, “Why do you look at me like that?? You’re engaged to me. I mean, do you want to be a virgin forever, even when married?” My jaw dropped hearing him speak so shamelessly.

“You were my first kiss. My only kiss in my life. I don’t know how to jump so quickly to being that… Intimate.” My inexperience was making me feel inadequate. There was no other way to word it.

“Don’t worry, my love, I’m simply trying to lighten the mood. You do not have to do anything whatsoever.” He smiled, leading me to my door. I opened it, and the room felt like home. I hurried to my bed and sat down, ripping the heels off my feet. I let out a moan, biting my lip. Gods it felt good to have those off my feet.

“On the other hand, if you moan like that again, I’m not sure I’ll have any self-restraint.” He wiggled his eyebrows at me, and I laughed.

“I’m sure when you make me moan, it will be better than me simply taking off a pair of heels.” I didn’t even realize what I had said before the words left my mouth. I wished I could eat them all up as if I had never said them.

“Oh, my beautiful love. Don’t tease if you aren’t ready to let me make you scream.” He had the most lustful look in his eye I had ever seen. “So for tonight, let’s take it slow and see where things go. You need to control the pace. Just please don’t tease me.”