The Last Dance (33)

Sorry it took so long, this chapter was really hard to write since there are a lot of characters involved.

Also, thanks to everyone who sent me songs that reminded them of the story I wish I could use them all, but instead I'll list them at the end for whoever wants to listen.

Comment and Vote?

Cheers,

xo.

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Chapter 33 - Last Dance

{The High Ball, Day 4}

Mira's POV

"Celia?"

I inched the door open and saw that she was still in bed despite the hour. The sun was shining brightly, sending shafts of light across the sheets, but she'd buried herself under them like a cocoon.

"I can't do it; I can't see him fall for another girl."

Her voice came out muffled from under the covers but I could hear the panic under her words easily.

I immediately knew what she was talking about.

"You might not have to Cee, it... could be you."

She pushed herself up from the bed, her face red and tear streaked.

She shook her head sadly, a rueful smile on her face. "It could have been me... until I blew it."

"What do you mean?"

She started talking, half unintelligible with grief about everything that had happened last night. I could feel my eyes getting wider and wider even though I only understood part of what she was saying.

"I didn't realize it until it was too late, until he was already gone that..."

"That?" I prompted.

"That I... love him."

I could feel my mouth drop open in shock. Before I could even attempt a response she started talking again.

"But it doesn't matter. He doesn't even want to be friends anymore" She buried her head in her hands.

Her words shocked me once again, but now I had to say something.

"Oh Cee... I'm sure that's not true, he was just angry and confused. He probably didn't even mean it."

I hoped she could hear the truth behind my words. I so badly wanted them to be true for her sake.

"Even if he didn't... I don't have the guts to go find out. I can't face him again knowing how I feel..."

"And what if he feels the same way?" It was obvious he did, but I didn't think she could handle hearing it.

"Then... then we're just worse off than we were before because everything is still too new to know if things will ever work. But even then, I would have... I wanted to say yes only... he didn't... he didn't give me a reason too. I asked him why me? And he couldn't think of a single thing. Not one reason" She babbled out forlornly.

I opened my mouth to reply but no words came out.

I really had no argument for that. I almost didn't want to believe it, that John would really have nothing to say in a moment like that... but one look at her face told me it was true, told me how much it was hurting her.

One look told me she wouldn't put herself out there to get hurt again.

I knew her. I knew how much it must have cost her to say those two little words 'why me?' and to dare hope that they could be together.

But one look told me she wouldn't let herself hope for that again.

When I looked back again she'd already made her way to the dresser, picking up the gown that had come fresh from the palace tailors.

Her back was to me as she let the soft material slip through her fingers, and it seemed almost ironic that today of all days they would send a black dress. Almost as if she were in mourning, which maybe in a way she was.

She disappeared into the bathroom for only a few moments before coming out looking cool and detached, as if she hadn't spent the whole night crying.

It hurt to see her so dejected, but even so I couldn't help but notice how stunning the dress looked on her. The dark color of the dress made her skin look pale and pristine, with the silver and blue accents causing her downcast eyes to look wide and vibrant. She walked stiffly to her dresser and applied a light coat of pale pink color to her lips, avoiding my gaze the entire time. Lastly she picked up a thin silver chain strung with a teardrop shaped blue pendant and fastened it behind her neck.

Her eyes flickered to her nightstand and I followed her gaze to see the bracelet John had given her laying there. She stared at it for almost a minute before turning away, blinking rapidly and headed out the door without once having looked in the mirror and I knew that even more than John, she was afraid to face herself.

David's POV

I paced back and forth across the door. What was taking him so long?

I raised my hand to knock for the fifth time, this time determined to actually do it when the door finally opened up. Several attendants rushed out and I had to step quickly to the side to avoid getting trampled.

With a light chuckle I walked in "Now Johnny, what have you done this time?"

My smile faltered at the sight in front of me.

John was red faced and breathing deeply while Mason stood in the farthest corner grimacing.

It wouldn't have been anything out of the ordinary really, until I saw the condition of the room.

John was always an organized person; orderly to the point of obsession when it came to his room, so nothing could have prepared me for this.

Clothes were strewn everywhere, many ripped by the looks of it, chairs and a shelf knocked over, the mirror shattered with glass peeking out from a sheet that had been hastily thrown over it. A pillow had been ripped apart, the feathers scattered around the room, and the wastebasket had been upended, the garbage carelessly kicked around.

I quickly shoved the door closed and locked it before anyone else could get a glimpse inside.

I exchanged an uneasy look with Mason and tilted my head towards John, who was pointedly refusing to look at either of us.

"John--"

"I DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT!"

The reaction caught me off guard, as did his sudden beeline for the door. I only just managed to catch hold of sleeve and noticed Mason had a hold of his other.

He struggled against us, overcome with some kind of rage I'd never seen before.

Resealing the door, we pulled him to the bed and forced him to sit down.

"What happened in here John" I demanded, all trace of joking gone from my voice.

"I COULDN'T FIND MY CROWN OKAY?"

I glanced around the room once more. This wasn't a mess made from looking for something; everything in here was deliberately destroyed.

"Does this have anything to do with Celia?"

Mason's voice had me whipping my head back towards John.

His struggling stopped abruptly, the look of anger flashing to desperation before the fight went completely out of him.

He slumped over, drained of energy, a look of complete sorrow coming over him, but still that desperation didn't leave his eyes.

We let go at the same time, and he immediately raised one hand to run through his hair, a nervous habit he'd never managed to shake.

I held my breath, not quite daring to say anything yet.

I waited a minute, hoping the silence would calm him, but his actions didn't get any less erratic. We didn't have much time before he had to be at the ballroom, and there was no way he could go like this.

"What happened last night John?" I asked as calmly as I could.

His anger seemed to flare up for a moment and I tensed, ready to hold him down again, but he wasn't going anywhere.

His features twisted into some kind of bitter remembrance, the desperation clearer than ever, as if he wished he could forget.

"What happened is that she said no. IS THAT WHAT YOU WANT TO HEAR? She said no..."

His face twisted up in pain at the last three words which he was trying vainly not to show.

I didn't have to know what had happened to understand what he said.

There could only be one possible meaning.

I could almost feel my heart breaking for him.

"It's my fault" He whispered.

I held back a sigh of exasperation, only John would blame himself for something like this.

"How could it possibly be your fault? You can't stop being a Prince."

He shook his head roughly.

"It wasn't about that, or at least it was only an excuse... but I didn't... I didn't give her a reason... I didn't tell her how I felt... I tried to and I choked, and now it's too late."

"If you love her it's not too late John" I looked to Mason for confirmation, but his face was turned away, hiding a scowl he probably didn't want us to see.

"It is. It is too late. I said we shouldn't be friends, basically that I didn't want anything to do with her."

"You can still--"

"I can't. You weren't there. You didn't hear the fight. It doesn't matter."

"Of course it matters."

I could feel my own anger rising, but he'd shut himself off from my arguments. Already his face was unreadable, completely emotionless. Like he'd made up his mind and was following it through no matter how much it hurt him.

He stood up abruptly and neither of us made a move to stop him.

"I have to decide tomorrow. Tomorrow; and if it's not her then I have to get over it and move on."

He'd turned his back on us, his hand already reaching towards the door but neither of us made a move to stop him.

"Don't fool yourself John. You'll never get over this, not if you let her go."

My voice came out a whisper but I knew he heard me perfectly. He stood still for a moment, and then without a word he strode out into the hallway, letting the door fall shut behind him.

Girl in Orange's POV

I stood in front of the mirror, smoothing out the creases on my black dress and couldn't help but smirk in satisfaction.

There was no way the Prince could ignore me in this.

It fit me like a silk glove, hugging all the right places. No one would be able to look away tonight, which is the way it should have been from the beginning.

I deserved to be the center of attention, not that Celia girl everyone kept talking about. I clenched my fists and took a deep breath. I couldn't let myself think about that now.

I picked up the shining band of gold from my bag where it had been all night. If that wasn't a sign what was?

It had just been sitting on a bench, begging me to take it in that silly little courtyard the Prince was always disappearing off to.

Not that I planned to keep it, but one night couldn't hurt could it?

Feeling a thrill of excitement I placed it carefully in my hair, setting it just right.

Perfect.

This was what I was meant for, this was my future.

It was with great reluctance that I finally removed it, biding my time to be suitably late. That Celia wasn't the only one who could make an entrance. I was determined to outshine her and didn't doubt for a second that I could.

With one last check I sauntered out into the halls, enjoying the echoing click clack my heels made against the tiled floors.

Tonight was my night.

I took a deep breath outside the double doors, almost wishing I could make my entrance from the top of the stairs. What a show THAT would be.

A lone beauty at the top of the stairs...

I'd wait for them to notice my entrance, for the nudging throughout the crowd as every face turned my way...

The whispers at my sudden appearance wondering who this girl could be... and then I'd descend... the swan in a sea of paltry ducks...

And then the whispering would start again... they'd all know my name... the boys would line up at the bottom, begging for a dance...

But my eyes would be only for the Prince and his only for me...

I could see it. I could feel it, and I wanted it.

I wanted it more than anything and I was determined to have it.

But regrettably, that fantasy couldn't happen, not yet at least. It should have happened the night of my presentation, but that fool girl stole all my glory.

I took a deep breath and unclenched my fists.

Soon.

Soon he would be mine and that fantasy would become a reality.

Perhaps on our wedding day...I mused silently.

I fought to keep the giddy smile off my face, and pushed open the door. The guests standing closest turned in my direction and I fixed my expression to be calm and unaffected.

Really, it was no surprise that they stared. Great beauties such as me learned to suffer the attention.

I let my gaze skim over the guests near me and scanned the rest of the room. There seemed to be a large group gathered near the end of the ballroom opposite the stairs where I now stood. I didn't know what could be going on, but if there was a crowd then that was where I was meant to be.

I made my way delicately over and realized with growing excitement that the crowd of girls was gathered around the Prince.

Finally, finally he was on his own. It was about time! That upstart, thinks-she-can-be-a-lady sham of a girl didn't deserve the attention my soon to be husband paid her. Or for that matter the attention of the entire court!

She may have fooled all of them but not me!

By the looks of things, they'd gotten into some sort of fight, and as far as I was concerned that was good news for me.

What more of a sign could I possible need?

Fate was practically begging me to make him mine.

I elbowed my way through the crowd that surrounded the Prince, ignoring the indignant huffs as I fought my way to the front.

"Prince Johnathan" I greeted, breathless with excitement.

He glanced towards me, and knowing how my dress complimented my figure, I curtsied low and took my time rising, but couldn't help showing annoyance when I was up. He wasn't even looking in my direction anymore.

I cleared my throat and his gaze shot back to me once more.

"Lady Petunia."

I barely had the time to shoot him a dazzling smile before he'd turned away again.

Forcing my features to keep up my smile I turned to see where he was looking and felt it instantly falter.

Unbelievable.

He was watching that stupid wench who called herself a lady.

No way.

There was no way I was letting her steal his attention from me. This was my night. If he would just come to his senses for a minute he'd drop her in a heartbeat, I was sure of it.

And I was determined to make it happen.

Mira's POV

I walked around in a daze, barely recovered from my conversation with Celia.

How I'd made it back to my room and gotten dressed was somewhat of a mystery to me. The silence had been overwhelming, but at the same time words were impossible after her admission, words that continued to ring in my head.

I still couldn't believe she'd actually admitted to being in love with John.

We'd all seen it the second she came back from the woods, but for her to actually realize it, to actually admit it, was the closest to a miracle I've ever seen... which of course just made everything else that much worse.

There had to be a way to fix this... but I had no idea how. They were both just so stubborn and I didn't know the Prince well enough to convince him of anything.

I looked over to the throne dais where John had been all night. I could barely make him out over the crowd of girls who insisted on swarming around him.

It was pathetic.

Pathetic that they would move in on him now when for the first time he wasn't with Celia.

I could see him reluctantly talking to a girl in a black dress. She suddenly burst out laughing so loudly it was impossible not to hear. I had a feeling it was all for show since I sincerely doubted John would be making jokes when he was so obviously unhappy.

Pushing through the crowds I spotted David watching Cee dance with Luke. She'd disappeared after our talk, slipping into the ball unnoticed just as the last girl descended the stairs.

If she'd been aiming for discretion she'd certainly had good timing; the fourth night's presentation always had a greater deal of fanfare at the end since it was the last one of the ball.

She'd kept to the shadows, and may have succeeded in blending in with her dark dress, if her skin didn't glow so pale against the fabric.

Someone had cornered her almost immediately, but before I'd even taken a step to help, Mason had appeared by her side to get her away.

No one dared argue with the Prince's own squire.

I'd kept an eye on her all night, watching as the boys took turns distracting her with idle talk and countless dances, but I couldn't stand by and watch any longer.

The night was ticking away and something had to be done.

If anyone could help me, it would be David.

David's POV

They were both so impossible.

I thought it was only a matter of time before they got together, and the way they'd acted the first two nights it seemed like a done deal...

But of course it could never be that simple, not with John and Celia. Only they could possibly screw up something that's so obviously meant to be.

He was too scared to say he loved her and she was too scared to say yes. It was completely ridiculous.

Couldn't they see how perfect they were for each other?

Everyone else certainly could, if all the whispers were any indication.

What good was it doing either of them to be so miserable?

John hadn't moved an inch from his slouch in the throne, nodding absently at a girl who'd managed to push her way to the front of the crowd. I winced slightly as her ear-splitting laugh filled the room and shuddered on John's behalf for having to put up with her.

It was sad really, how desperately they all vied for his attention despite his mournful expression.

I followed his gaze back to Celia, where it had been all night.

The poor fool.

Not that she seemed any better off. If anything she only masked her feelings for his sake.

She was dancing with Luke, and if it wasn't obvious her thoughts were elsewhere, the stumble on every other step gave it away.

The three of us had stayed with Celia all night, occupying her and keeping all other suitors far away. It was the least we could do for John. He hadn't asked for the favour like he had two nights ago, but I knew he wanted it all the same.

Right now, it would have killed him to see her talking with another guy. It probably even hurt him to see her with us, but what other choice was there?

"David?"

I turned around and smiled immediately at seeing Mira.

In all the chaos with John I'd completely taken for granted that her friends must be in the same position we were; desperately wanting to help and not knowing how.

"Mira, good to see you, how's... how was Celia doing?"

Her expression turned gloomy, as I suspect it had been all night just like the rest of us. She glanced back at John and smiled ruefully.

"About as well as our Prince."

"We need to do something" I said fiercely, frustrated at them both.

"That's what I came here for actually. I thought maybe the two of us could come up with something"

I looked between them for what must have been the hundredth time this evening.

John didn't seem interested in moving, not even for a respite from his admirers, and even while dancing Celia hadn't come an inch closer to him from her place near the stairs.

They may have been in the same room but they way they acted there might as well have been a gaping chasm across the floor.

What could we possibly do?

"We could... lock them in the courtyard?" I suggested half heartedly.

Mira stifled a laugh and shook her head.

"After the fight they had out there that doesn't seem like such a good idea."

"But it's the only continuous thing they've had this ball, going out to the courtyard..."

"There must be something else..."

The realization seemed to hit us at the same time and our words came out together.

"The last dance."

It could be perfect, if we could find some way of executing it. After all, the realm's Prince couldn't sit out the last dance no matter what his personal problems, and I'll be damned if I let him share it with one of those girls.

One in particular seemed especially determined to be asked, the girl in the slinky black dress who wouldn't stop laughing.

I felt disgusted on Celia's behalf when I saw her arm on his sleeve. This needed fixing and fast.

"Go ask him to dance" I blurted out.

Her eyes widened and she looked warily at the mob.

"And then what? The ball doesn't end for another half hour at least."

"I guess just... keep him busy until then."

"That's hardly a foolproof plan David."

I couldn't help but smile at her exasperated expression. "I know, but it's the best I've got. Just make sure he's at the center of the ballroom when it's time for the last dance. Drag him if you have to, just make sure he's there."

She sighed heavily and nodded.

"This is all for you Cee" She mumbled before pushing her way into the crowd.

Celia's POV

I could feel his eyes on me, following me across the dance floor.

I refused to look up again.

One glance was enough and even that had been a mistake. He was talking to someone else, that girl who'd been so rude to me the day of presentation.

It hurt me more than I was willing to admit; was I so easily replaceable?

I hadn't talked to anyone, not that I'd had the chance with the way Mason, Luke and David had been trading me between them all night.

Not that I minded.

I doubt I could have handled small talk with a hoard of arrogant Lords.

They all stood at the edges of the dance floor, predators ready to leap. Luckily for me, none of them dared approach the Prince's own squire or best friends.

I told myself John didn't have a choice; that as Prince he had to talk to them or at least be polite, but that didn't stop me from being jealous every time her laugh pierced the air.

John's POV

I was getting a headache.

The moment my concentration faltered, or my eyes drifted back to Cece she'd erupt in laughter.

Just what exactly was so funny?

Like yesterday she was going on and on about something while I drifted in and out, never really paying attention.

I suppose I should at least be grateful she was content with a one sided conversation. All I had to do was nod occasionally, which suited me just fine.

I felt my gaze being drawn back to Celia like a magnetic pull. She seemed bent on ignoring me and I couldn't exactly blame her. I tried not to be bothered by her dancing with my friends since I knew the alternative would be the Lords, and that would have been unbearable.

I fought my reflex to wince as Petunia's laugh filled the air.

She seemed bent on making me deaf.

I turned my glance back to her hastily, and tried not to curl my lips in disgust at her outfit, which was even worse than yesterday.

What could posses you to wear something so distasteful?

She didn't seem the slightest bit ashamed of it either.

I couldn't help but compare her to Celia. The two girls couldn't be more different. Petunia dressed far too tightly and provocatively than could ever be appropriate. Not my type at all, whereas without even trying Celia out-classed this girl and all the rest.

How could I have been such a fool?

At this point I even wished another of the girls in the crowd would try striking up a conversation.

It was getting downright embarrassing talking to Petunia with all the disapproving stares we were getting. Her choice in fashion seemed to be raising a lot more eyebrows than Celia's men's clothes ever did.

I nearly jumped when she placed her hand on my arm and then got annoyed at her presumption.

This was really getting out of hand.

A familiar figure made their way through the crowd and I nearly shouted with relief.

"Mira!"

I didn't know Cece's friends as well as she knew mine but I'd never been happier to see one of them in my life.

"Nice to see you too John" She laughed, not missing the reason for my enthusiasm.

"Of course it is" I joked, knowing Petunia was fuming beside me.

Mira rolled her eyes, reminding me so much of Celia my smile faded instantly.

Sympathy flashed though her eyes and she smiled slightly. "Dance with me?"

I eagerly took her hand, glad for the first time tonight at the chance to get away from Lady Petunia.

Celia's POV

"Come on Cee, next one's mine."

I turned to David, resigned for the next few dances. I'd already asked repeatedly if I could just slip out of the dance, really who would even notice?

If they would let me out of their sights for just one minute I would leave anyway, but the black dress was no help among a sea of color.

At least the dancing was better than the talking. The boys always led so all I had to do was let them.

I still felt half in a dream, not wanting to believe what had happened last night could be real. But here we were; another night of the ball as if nothing had changed.

On the bright side at least John wasn't talking to that other girl anymore.

In fact, with all the moving bodies around us I'd lost sight of him completely, which was as much of a relief as a blessing.

Before I knew it two songs had ended and I was being pulled along somewhere by David.

If I'd been paying attention I could have stopped him, but as it was we were already half way across the dance floor when I noticed what was going on.

My sudden stop caused him to jerk back since he had a tight grip around my forearm.

"Where are we going?"

I didn't want to get any closer to the throne dais than I had to. Just being in the same room and having to act like strangers was painful enough.

"Nowhere, we're already here" He said with quick grin.

I frowned wondering why he would want to come to the middle of the dance floor but was relieved not to have to go any further.

My relief was short lived though, as Mira and John burst through the crowd in front of us.

I immediately tried moving back before they saw me but was restrained by David.

This was not good.

Not good.

I couldn't face him.

Didn't they know that?

Too late, they'd seen us.

I looked quickly away, my face probably wearing the same panicked expression he had.

I shot a scathing look at David and Mira for setting this up. They both just shrugged apologetically.

We stood facing each other for I don't know how long. I hated it, just standing here.

"Lady Celia" He murmured quietly.

I felt my stomach drop two feet. Since when was he so formal?

It was a sure indication of just how bad things were between us.

Without quite registering my movements, I found myself curtsying.

"My Prince" I said stiffly.

John's POV

I must be dreaming.

I hoped I was... but not even in my dreams would I ever have thought Celia would curtsy to me.

Never, in all the years I'd known her had she treated me like a Prince... never until today.

I used to tease her about it, saying she would one day, but now... I didn't want her to, not like this.

It was all just such a mess.

And once again, I'd started it, by calling her Lady Celia. What was I thinking?

Like always when I'm around her, I wasn't.

Still, I was glad just to be standing close to her, already it seemed like I hadn't seen her in forever.

Naturally beautiful.

Why had it taken so long for me to see it?

Maybe then we would have had time and--

No, I couldn't think like that anymore, it would only make tomorrow harder.

I'd choose her over anyone.

But it's too late now, I've lost her.

Celia's POV

He was only standing a few feet away and still I missed him like crazy.

Neither of us could even look at the other.

Dhooow.

A deep bass resonated throughout the hall, a single note hanging in the air.

The tension hung in the air between us like something tangible.

I tried not to look in his eyes, though his features still copied my own; bewildered and hurt.

I shot a look of annoyance at David and Mira, hovering around us with determined looks on their faces.

How was this supposed to solve anything?

Soft and slow, a violin started playing, accompanied by the bell like thrum of a dozen harps plucked at once.

So this is what they'd set us up for.

The sea of faces moved as one, partners coming together, hands raised and joined.

With one last quivering sigh of noise, the note melted into a resonant beat, deep and evocative, with a bittersweet intensity.

The couples around us began moving, picking up their pace until they seemed like nothing more than blurs spinning around us while we stood frozen in place.

The last dance of the night had begun.

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[A/N] For an idea of the song type in this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ezX_uTz_qA

I couldn't find a proper fully instrumental version so ignore the backup vocals.

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John's POV

From the whirl of colors around us a hand reached out, either Mira or David, and pushed Celia towards me.

My hands automatically reached out to steady her.

She quickly regained her balance, and took a hesitant step back, but I didn't let go.

I couldn't have if I'd wanted to, and I really didn't want to.

I kept one hand around her waist and moved the other to take hold of one of hers.

Still trying not to look up she raised her free hand to my shoulder.

It was all so familiar, and yet for the first time, everything felt wrong, and off, and most of all awkward.

There was too much space between us; our hands hung loosely together, barely touching.

I started pulling her along, moving slowly at first, and then faster, matching the pace of those around us.

Gradually, so subtly I hardly noticed, we moved closer together, our grips tightening and I couldn't look away from her.

As if feeling my eyes on her, she looked up.

Celia's POV

Immediately our gazes locked, and then I couldn't look away.

A harp plucked rapidly played in the distance, and around us the frenzied twirling seemed to slow down as the whole room seemed to freeze.

They were nothing but statues to my mind, completely insignificant as we entered a world of our own, where only the two of us existed.

We weaved between them, the only ones in the room, faster and faster, turning the statues into a rainbow swirl.

There was nothing else but the pulsing beat around us, no one else who could come between us.

Dhoooow

The room came back into sharp focus. The couples began slowing down around us for real and we slowed down to match them.

Dhooow

We stayed together longer than the rest before finally breaking apart and stepped hastily away, all the awkwardness returning in a sudden overwhelming rush.

Doow

Neither of us seemed able to look away, and I at least wanted to memorize everything about him for the last time.

Dow

In sync as always, we looked away at the same time, breaking the spell that had held us in place. I looked back one last time, but he was already gone.

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Whoa guys, just one more chapter and the epilogue left, I can hardly believe it.

Soundtrack:

Joshua Radin - Only You

Dashboard Confessional - Stolen

Michelle Williams - Last Dance

Rascal Flatts - What Hurts the Most

Roxette - Fading like a Flower