On the arm of Davin, Gigi glided through the hallways. Even from two stories up they could hear the music that spilled from the ballroom. The enticing rhythm sent Gigi's heart humming in time, her feet already moving with the beat. The sound was lively and had the feel of two boys chasing after each other. Davin gave no inclination towards the music, his face as bored as ever.
Gigi assumed he had offered to walk her to the ball only on the suggestion of his parents. She didn't mind, it meant that she was on his arm and not on the arm of some posturing noblemen.
They descended the stairs, the clarity of the notes rising to meet them. As they passed through the double doors, they were announced. Gigi wondered if it was just her imagination that half the noblemen's heads turned at the sound of her name. Unintentionally, she tightened her hold on Davin's arm. He glanced at her, his eyes dropped to her hand then to the room before them. He said nothing, seeming to understand without asking. As they walked into the fray, he laid a hand on top of hers, dissuading half of the eager gazes.
Gigi felt the shift and glanced up at Davin. He gave no notice that what he had done mattered. The edge of her lips curled up gratefully. They were rounding the dance floor when they saw Thayer and Everly walking towards them. Gigi felt a reserved smile rise to her lips. The few interactions she had shared with Thayer over the previous days, since her tea with the Queen, had gone better than she could have expected, though they still hit gaps of uncertainty.
As they approached each other, Gigi couldn't help but study the pair. They wore calm expressions but there was nothing more. Though Everly had her hand in Thayer's elbow, there was a distance between them. Upon seeing Davin, something in her face lightened just as Davin's postured straightened ever so slightly. Gigi curtsied as Davin bowed to the Prince.
"Evening, your highness," he said.
Thayer gave a nod, but Davin was already looking to Everly. "Lady Everly, might I have this dance?"
A teasing gleam entered Everly's eyes though her expression remained controlled and reserved. "I was not aware you knew how to dance since I rarely see you do it."
There was a spark of laughter in Davin's eyes, his lips holding back the sound. "Then let me apologize now for stepping on your toes."
Everly pursed her lips trying to contain her own laugh. She turned to Thayer, her composure returning.
"Only if his highness does not object," she said.
Thayer took a step aside and offered up Everly's hand. Davin quickly tucked it around his arm, letting go of Gigi, who was watching curiously through the entire interaction. The couple vanished into the crowd of silken gowns and tailored suits. Thayer watched, his eyebrows furrowed, hands clasped. Gigi looked away and was about to excuse herself when Thayer wiped away his thoughts and twisted to her.
"Lady Genevieve," he said."
"Good evening, your highness."
"I seem to be without a partner, would you care to dance?"
He held his arm as an invitation. Gigi accepted.
"I would be pleased to accept, your highness."
They cut through the watching bystanders, eyes latching onto them while whispers were spoken with tilted heads and behind hands. Nothing of this had any effect on Thayer, his posture and face unchanging. Gigi's eyes darted to him, wondering what a life under so many gazes must be like. To her, the idea of it felt overburdening.
They stepped onto the floor and Thayer wrapped a steady arm around her waist and took her other hand in his. His hand was warm and she felt a hesitance in his hold. But he guided her into the circle of dancers with a confidence that Gigi found she craved. As they moved with the violins and flutes, she forgot the thousand of partners she had before and savored the skill that Thayer danced with. Each step was precisely made without being stiff or strict as if his body had absorbed the rhythm of the music. It was like a kiss, gentle and natural.
In his arms, she forgot to think and let herself be swept away. Thayer didn't talk, his eyes fixed on her as if he was struck by the same feelings. They twirled like two snowflakes lifted by the wind and spinning around each other, caught up in something bigger than themselves.
"Your tutors taught you well," Thayer said, his voice quiet.
Gigi gave him a taunting smile. "I might have learned the royal dances from them but do not think the Eldin do not know how to dance."
He raised his eyebrows, half in surprise and half in curiosity.
"It is the main way we celebrate," she explained. "When we dance we are in tune with the rhythm of the earth and moving with the beat of our hearts. We dance because we are happy."
Something darted through Thayer's expression too quick for Gigi to read it.
"I believe I have never danced like that," he said.
Gigi's face fell into something serious. "I hope you get the chance to one day."
Thayer paused. "As do I."
They spent the rest of the song in silence, thoughts overlapping though they voiced none of them. At the end, they took a step apart, both unsure how to move forward. Their answer came in the form of a wide smiling Earl. He bowed to Thayer and shifted to Gigi.
"May I have this next dance, Lady?" he asked.
Gigi looked once more at Thayer and he met her gaze. She felt as if something had changed but didn't understand what.
"Of course," she said, smiling back at the dark haired man.
The Earl stepped forward as Thayer left. He wrapped his arm around her, pulling her closer than she liked. As they began to dance, Gigi instantly found herself missing the smooth, elegant way Thayer danced. She worked to smile through it as well as his talking. When it was done she was overly grateful to her next partner, though her gratitude did not last long.
From one set of arms to the next, Gigi spun away, always wishing for the set of arms that were not around her. The eighth song came to a close as Gigi planned a way to escape her next partner.
Her thoughts were banished when a familiar set of gray eyes met hers. Her heart faltered and her stomach flipped at his approach. His ever-present teasing gleam seemed to kidnap all of her. Raif bowed.
"Lady Genevieve," he said. "I believe this next dance belongs to me."
"I believe it does, Duke Sayers."
The Squire that held her hand, frowned, obviously annoyed that her attention was so easily taken away. Raif gave the man a single glance that sent him turning away. He took a step closer to Gigi.
"I seem to be making a habit of saving you from insufferable fools," he said, quietly.
"It is a habit I shall encourage."
He laughed and like that she was pulled into his strong, capable arms. She felt every sense heightened, the feel of his hand on her waist, the power of his hold, the heat from his closeness. She longed for the feeling to go on and on, carrying her away from everything. The world blurred to nothing but him and the melody that held them captured.
The song came to a close and before Gigi could right her thoughts, Raif was sweeping her away, her hand caught in his elbow. They left the ballroom and walked out onto the terrace. The sea breeze stirred Gigi's hair and cooled her hot skin. The velvet night sky stretched overhead, filled with an ocean of stars. The air held a scent of rain and off in the distance a line of dark clouds was steadily moving towards them.
Raif led her down the stone stairs, wanting to leave behind prying eyes. Their steps were wandering as if neither of them cared where they went. The air was infused with the sweet fragrance of flowers.
"Where were you this time?" Gigi asked, peering up at his handsome face.
"The East Isles," he said. "It was for a rare book collection that I know Lord Brixton will be pleased with."
"Tell me about it."
He smiled but didn't speak, instead he looked at her, that same curious look entering his eyes. "Not this time, Vagabond girl. This time you talk and I listen."
Gigi felt her face color under his unbending gaze.
"What do you wish to know?" she asked.
"Everything."
The simple word made Gigi's heart flutter. "That is a lot to know."
He gave no response, still looking at her.
"Very well," she said, unable to control her smile. "I grew up all over. Traveling every few months..."
Gigi told him of her life, leaving out the fact that her means of travel were barefooted and on the outskirts of towns. He watched as she talked, seeming to soak up every word, every story she told. Under his gaze, she found the words came easily as if part of her had already been hoping to share this piece of herself with him.
They had wandered for over an hour when Gigi realized how long it had been.
"I seem to have lost myself in memories," she said, shyly.
Raif turned to her. There was a look in his eyes that caught her off guard. It was intrigue but something more.
"Lady Genevieve," he said, his voice quiet. "You are something I have never come across before. In a world that never changes you are new. Puzzling. Enchanting."
**********************************************************************
On the third day at dawn look to the East!
(ð¤¦ð½ââï¸ Yeah all I could think of was Lord of The Rings. Gosh those movies are good!)
TWO SHIPS!?! What in the world are we suppose to do with that! Jeez who ever thought of having two ships is an idiot!
Okay, time to place your bets, which ship do you think is going to sail?
Good, now that's done I need to tell you something. I have an addiction. ð No, I'm not talking about ice cream, or Grant Gustin. It's something else and it's rather odd.
I have an addiction to short chapters! I really do! Give me a book that's not great but has short chapters and I'll at least get to chapter 20 before I realize it's not worth it. I don't know, they are just like mini muffins, you can eat 1 or 12! ð
What's an odd addiction or love that you have?
Vote, comment, follow or find a man and dance until your feet fall off!
Gosh that sounds painful ð
Now we have to decide!
Could he ðbe Thayer and he ðbe Raif? Do we think that works?