(A N)

Tada! Please don't hate me because I'm evil. Prepare yourself for having a LOT of cliffie chapters in the future. I made this one rather nice and anticlimactic just for you. :) (Yeah right). As always, I want to thank LovelySOS for editing, (Don't forget to check out her contest! ) and quinnyandco and my mom. AND YOU! The readers! I feel so blessed to have such nice reviews show up in my inbox. :)

I heard the music first.

It swelled, and filled the air; and as it did, an unexpected spark of excitement rose within me, dulling my anxiety.

I reached the grand staircase, and peered over the banister at the picturesque scene below.

The ballroom was enormous, with a high vaulted ceiling engraved with gold, and I discovered that the source of the music was an entire orchestra; the musicians bent over their instruments in a kind of musical swoon. My nerves were momentarily forgotten at this beautiful, enchanting sight.

People in glittering costumes milled around downstairs, chatting merrily. Many held gold rimmed goblets of champagne, taking long sips between bursts of laughter.

I noticed with a growing dread that most of the younger couples were whirling gracefully about on the dance floor.

Ian stepped over to where I stood watching the ball, and looped an arm around my waist.

"Showtime." He whispered, his lips just brushing my ear. I shivered and shrunk back involuntarily at his touch.

We descended the staircase and stepped onto the dance floor as the musicians struck up a waltz.

Ian bowed, his eyes fixed on me as he straightened up.

"May I have this dance, M'lady?" He requested suavely.

I frowned.

"Do I have a choice?" I asked.

"You obviously seem to think so." He said, placing one hand behind my shoulder blade and slipping the other into mine. I could feel my stomach beginning to tighten itself into a knot. It might have been my imagination, but I felt as if every eye in the room were fixed on us.

The waltz began, and almost immediately, I stumbled.

"S-Sorry." I mumbled, my face heating. I felt like a buffoon. I looked up and spotted Natalia leaning on the arm of a young masked man. She shook her head and whispered something to her date, openly mocking my clumsiness.

I tried again, but there were so many eyes on me, and before I knew it, I had stepped on Ian's foot.

"People are staring." He whispered, annoyance evident in his tone. "I thought you said that you could dance."

"I can." I shot back though gritted teeth. "It's the dress. I keep tripping over it."

Ian rolled his eyes. "Use the wrist loop at the bottom of the gown." He said impatiently. "Honestly, Amy, I should think even a peasant like you would know that."

His words stung, and I shrugged his arm off of my shoulder. I hadn't wanted to dance with him, anyway. I didn't want to face this humiliation.

"I need some air." I mumbled, turning away from Ian. I had to get off of the dance floor before the tears began to fall. The last thing I wanted was for Natalia and the rest of the gossiping guests to witness me cry.

Ian slipped an arm around my waist, and I was surprised by the amount of force he put into the action.

"I'm beginning to feel light-headed myself." He muttered, practically shoving me off of the floor. He led me out of the grand room, and into the quiet garden.

"What was that?" He hissed. I sat on a bench while he stood ranting angrily over me.

"I know you don't exactly want to be here, -I don't either, really,- but why must you be so difficult? It's just a ball, and you are here with, well...me."

I felt my temper rise at his arrogance.

"It's y-your fault I'm here." I stuttered. "I never asked for any of this." It was true- I hadn't asked to be his date. I hadn't asked for this new life I had, either. I jumped out of my seat on the bench, suddenly feeling bolder, and tugged on Ian's arm. "W-Where is my brother?" I asked, the tears coming again, despite my effort to hide them. "You say he was released, yet I haven't seen him in weeks! What did you do to him, Adrian?"

"Ian." He said softly.

I stopped, mid-rant, confused. "What?"

Ian turned away, and stared moodily at a bush. "Never mind." He muttered bitterly, turning to face me. "You have made it clear by your mistrust of my actions that you see me as a beast...nothing more."

His voice stuck slightly on the last word, and I looked up quickly into his handsome face.

"I d-don't think that." I whispered.

It was at that moment, that I realized just how close I was to the young Lord. Ian's eyes bore into mine, and I couldn't look away. So much emotion swam in those amber depths: anger, jealousy, selfish passion, and... Something else.

I gazed deeper, and deeper, unconsciously coming dangerously close to Ian's face. I didn't notice Ian leaning in as well, until our noses brushed softly together.

With a jerk, I shot back, my eyes wide, staggering, and nearly tripping over my feet.

"S-s-s-sorry!" I stuttered, my face burning at the realization of what had almost happened.

I hiked up my skirts, and stumbled up the pathway, fully expecting Ian to stop me; to call me back.

...He didn't.

I ran on, until I reached the side doors, which were flung open to accommodate the festivities. There I stopped, and leaned my head against the door frame. My breath came in little gasps, and a million thoughts spun in my head, imitating the couples on the dance floor.

Ian's face swam in my vision. My skin remembered the feeling of his breath, drifting nearer, nearer.

I squeezed my eyes shut; blood shot to my face, spiking the color to rival that of my dress.

What is wrong with me?

Suddenly, I heard voices coming towards me.

I shrank behind a bush next to the door and waited for the guests to continue on inside. I didn't want to be seen by anyone, especially not with hot tears streaming down my cheeks.

The voices came closer, stopping directly in front of my bush.

Great, I thought with an inward groan. My hair was snagged on a branch, and if I moved to free it, I would be discovered. Why, me?

The first guest spoke, and with a shock, I recognized the unmistakable voice.

...It was Jake.

( A N)

Mwahaha! XD

It might take a while for the next chappie. :P I'm re-writing it a bit, but I could get a ton of inspiration and finish it tonight! SO...follow the story if you don't want to guess on the next update's release. :)