The ballroom was even larger and grander than the throne room. The golden tiles were polished so brightly that they reflected the dancers on the floor. Warm yellow lights hung from the ceiling like miniature suns. An orchestra of musicians filled the room with music while several fountains of wine and champagne stood on the sides of the room.
Fina wore a white dress with sky blue accents and detached sleeves with ruffles. Her hair was straightened and pulled back into a French twist. Fred wore a black suit with a light blue tie to match.
"Remind me why you wanted to match again?" Fred asked with a small smile.
"I thought it would be cute." Fina giggled. "Sometimes San-Li dresses the twins in matching outfits."
"Well that's because they're two and can't take her in a fight yet."
"Fred, the twins are three. Their birthday was last month remember?"
"Whatever, I still think it's kinda dorky." Fred chuckled and held his hand out to her. "Wanna dance, Angel?"
Fina smiled and took his hand. "Of course, husband."
He pulled her onto the dance floor and into his arms. Fina sighed happily and let Fred lead her in small circles. Neither of them were the best at dancing but Joleena had made them take ballroom dancing lessons for their wedding.
"I'm sorry I yelled at you earlier." Fred said quietly. "I was just scared of you getting hurt. I don't know what I'd do if I ever lost you."
"You won't lose me." Fina smiled. "I can take care of myself. I've done it for thousands of years."
"As an immortal healer." Fred pointed out. "Which you aren't anymore, remember?"
Fina frowned. "We've had this argument before Fred. San-Li wasn't a healer and she took care of herself."
"But San-Li doesn't do dangerous crap anymore because she has a family. Like we're trying to have remember? Maybe you should think about doing the same."
Fina's frown deepened and she stopped dancing. "I told you already I'm not leaving Joe so please stop asking me that."
Fred gave her a weary smile and pulled her back into his arms. "Would it help if I offered to substitute? San-Li's been training me."
Feeling irritated, Fina didn't answer and tried pulling away from him, but he only tightened his hold on her and kept them dancing.
"You're so cute when you think you're stronger than me." He chuckled. "And you're even cuter when you're mad."
"I'm not mad I'm just… frustrated." She mumbled. "Sometimes I think you treat me like a child."
"I treat you like my wife who I'm trying to take care of." Fred's voice tightened ever so slightly. He then sighed and kissed her forehead. "Let's stop fighting and enjoy this vacation okay?"
"Okay." Fina sighed and smiled up at him.
They continued dancing in slow circles, the air between them a little less tense. Fina knew it was pointless to argue with her husband. Once Fred had an idea in his head, it was nearly impossible to get it out again. And his hero complex only made him the more protective.
But that's what Fina loved about him. He was so strong and protective and always put others before himself. She smiled in contentment and laid her head on his chest as they continued to dance. He was wearing the cologne she bought him and it smelled wonderful.
Fred chuckled and laid his cheek against the top of her head. "Wanna get out of here and head back to our room? Or maybe head to the gardens for some…alone time?"
Fina's cheeks heated up in mild embarrassment, but she nodded with a small giggle. They stopped dancing and started to move off the dance floor.
"I hope you aren't leaving already."
Fina froze and her heart skipped a beat. They turned around and saw Prince Adrian. He was wearing a white and gold suit with shoulder tassels, and a braided gold and silver circlet on his head.
Prince Adrian smiled at Fred. "I'm hope you don't find me rude, but I was hoping to ask your friend for a dance."
"Wife." Fred corrected, wrapping an arm around her waist. "Fina's my wife."
"And you two make a lovely couple." Prince Adrian never faltered and continued to smile. "In any case your wife saved my sister's life and I owe her more than a simple thank you. Do you mind if I honor her with a dance?"
Fred looked at him and for a hopeful second Fina thought he would say no. But to her surprise he shrugged.
"Sure. I guess one dance won't hurt."
Prince Adrian grinned and before Fina could think of some excuse, any excuse, not to dance with him, he grabbed her hand and swept her back onto the dance floor. She looked over her shoulder at Fred, hoping to see some jealousy, but he was making his way to the banquet table.
Prince Adrian held her tightly against him and they moved fluidly around the dance floor, more fluidly than her and Fred had been dancing moments earlier. People were also watching them, whispering to each other.
"I know who you are." Prince Adrian said quietly.
Fina started. "What?"
"I know who you are." He repeated with a smile. "I've heard all the stories about you. The palace is full of them."
"I'm sorry, but I'm sure you're mistaken, your highness." Fina gave him a bland, distant smile. "But this is my first time here."
Prince Adrian twirled her and drew her close again. "You don't have to pretend with me. I know all about you, Fina. Or should I call you the White Cat of Syrania?"
Fina gasped. "How did you know that?"
"Careful." Prince Adrian lowered his voice. "People are watching us."
Fixing a bland smile back on her face, she spoke in a lower voice. "What have you heard about me and where did you hear it?"
"Stories." Prince Adrian's eyes shone excitedly. "Passed on through my uncle and grandfather. Stories about how you traveled with Warp Wizard Xa'ma and how you two saved Syrania. Did you really take on thirty soldiers single handedly?"
"It was only twenty-three." Fina shrugged modestly. "And I wouldn't say I took them on. I just slipped some herbs in their food that made them sleep in a little."
Prince Adrian laughed and dipped her low. "That's amazing! I can't believe I'm actually talking to you."
Fina found herself smiling, warm from his praise. Andrew used to praise her all the time for her bravery and her stealth. But when Prince Adrian brought her back up she glanced over his shoulder and found her husband watching them. He didn't look angry though. In fact he looked amused seeing them dance together.
But now Fina felt guilty. She shouldn't be enjoying dancing with another man so much. So as soon as the set of music ended Fina stepped away from Prince Adrian and bowed to him.
"Thank you for honoring me with a dance, your highness." She said sweetly. "But if you'll excuse me, I think my husband is waiting for me."
"Come riding with me tomorrow." Prince Adrian pleaded, grabbing her hands. "We'll ride across the kingdom and you can show me what's changed since you were last here. And maybe tell me about your life?"
His golden eyes were bright and he was bighting his lower lip. He was staring at her like she was some long lost mythical hero come to life.
"Maybe." Fina relented a little. "I would have to check with my husband first though."
"Of course." Prince Adrian kissed her hands. "I shall release you then and bid you goodnight, White Cat."
Fina bowed low and stayed down until Prince Adrian walked away. She straightened up again just as Fred came back over.
"You looked like you two were having fun out there." He smiled. "And I'm glad he didn't stomp all over your toes like I did."
"Oh stop, you dance just as well as I do." Fina sighed and peeped up at him. "Can we go back to our room now? I can use some quality time with my husband."
Fred grinned and wrapped his arm around her shoulder. "Of course, Angel. How can I deny someone as beautiful as you?"
Beautiful. Fred always called her beautiful. Or sweet or kind or funny. And he always called her his angel. His sweet, innocent, kind angel.
"Hey," Fred gave her a gentle squeeze. "You alright? You spaced out again."
"I'm fine." Fina said quickly. "I'm just a little tired, I guess."
They walked out of the palace and headed back to their inn. Fred looked down at her, scrutinizing her face under the moon light.
"Are you sure? You've been tired and spacey ever since we got here. Wait-" Fred stopped walking and stared at her. "Are you-?"
"No." Fina shook her head. "I'm not."
"But last month you said you might have been."
"I told you I was wrong." Fina started walking again. "And I wasn't pregnant then and I'm not now."
"Sorry, sorry." Fred hurriedly caught up with her. "I know I'm not supposed to keep asking you, but I'm just excited for us to start a family soon."
Once they were in their room, Fred quickly shed his suit jacket and let it fall to the floor. He sat on the bed and Fina knelt on the floor to help take off his shoes.
"You know, San-Li thinks we should wait before having kids." She said quietly.
"San-Li is a brat and stupid." Fred frowned. "I don't get why you always have to listen to her."
"We were just talking." Fina mumbled. "And I so don't always listen to her. I married you remember?"
"Yeah I remember."
Fred pulled her up and sat her in his lap so he could unzip her dress. He went slowly, kissed along her exposed back as he went. Fina sighed at the feeling of his lips. She pulled off her sleeves and let the rest of the dress fall away her.
"Are you still feeling tired?" He whispered against her ear, sending chills down her spine.
"Not real- Eee!"
She squealed as Fred suddenly grabbed her around the waist, spun her off his lap and threw her onto the bed. Fred laughed and fell onto the bed next to her. His dress shirt was unbuttoned revealing his toned chest and abs. Fina couldn't help but slid her hand inside, feeling his firm muscles.
"So what were you two talking about?" Fred yawned. "You and that prince guy."
Fina moved closer to him and began placing warm, moist kisses across his chest, hoping to distract him. She didn't know exactly why, but she really didn't want to have to explain things to Fred. Because if she started, he might find out about Andrew and parts of her life she never told him before.
Thankfully Fred moaned and turned out the light, ending any conversation for the rest of the night.
A/N- I figured I might as well post this. Read and Review please