Palladium was walking through the crowd, making sure everyone was in line. Suddenly Griselda appeared next to him.
"Ah professor, we need you at the stairs, one of the girls seems to have forgotten to find a dancepartner." She said irritated. "Just the opening dance and then you can resume your duties."
"Oh, alright." Palladium said surprised.
He made his way through the specialists and stopped at the end of the stairs. His eyes went wide and his mouth fell open a bit. In front of him, slowly walking down the stairs was the most beautifull woman he had ever seen. Samara was looking a bit nervous, but it did nothing to compromise her appearance. The curls of her hair swayed softly around her face, her eyes seemed to be covered in stardust and her dress…it was as if she was wearing the night sky itself. She stopped in front of him, confusion written in her eyes. Palladium offered her his arm and smiled. She smiled back, confusing making place for relief. They walked towards the group of people waiting in front of the ballroom, looking at the fairies coming down the stairs.
Samara saw how Stella slowly made her way down, blinding everyone who was in five meters around her. Brandon stepped up and swiftly took a pair of sunglasses out of his pocket. Samara laughed. Seems Brandon knew exactly what Stella was up to. After a while all the fairies were down the stairs and paired up with their dancepartners. The doors to the ballroom opened and the students slowly walked inside. Samara gasped as she saw the beautifull decoration.
"Do you like it?" Palladium asked.
"It's wonderfull!"
The elf smiled. They took their position on the dancefloor when Samara realized something.
"What dance is it?" She whispered in slight panic.
Palladium was about to answer when the music started. He stepped towards her and gently took one hand in his own and put a hand on her side.
"Just follow me." He whispered.
Samara shivered as his warm breath hit her ear. They started to move and Samara quickly recognised the dance.
"You're doing great." Palladium said.
"You don't want to know how many times I've watched couples dance this dance in the ballroom of Eraklion." She answered. "I've danced it myself quite some time with several noblemen."
There was a slight frown on the elf's face but it disappeared as quickly.
"And were those dances…just as enjoyable as this one?" Palladium asked trying to be casual.
Samara laughed and stood on her toes for a second to reach the elf's face. "Not even close…" She whispered.
She was proud to see the elfs cheeks turn red.
"Good…" He said a bit high pitched.
A difficult part of the routine started and Samara managed it with ease, but some other fairies around them almost fell down.
"Timmy that's my foot, again!" Tecna's voice sounded suddenly.
Samara laughed.
They danced on into a slower pace. The dance was almost over. Samara noticed that she held on a bit tighter and that Palladium had moved a bit closer to her. She could feel his heartbeat in her ear.
"You look absolutely beautifull." He whispered.
"Thank you…you're quite handsome yourself."
Her eyes widened as she realized what she had just said. There was no response. They danced on and slowly the music stopped.
"I have to check in with professor Dufour, but after that I will head outside for some fresh air." Palladium said. "If you'd like to join me?"
It was a carefull question. Samara stared into his golden eyes and decided to follow her heart tonight.
"I will, meet you at the gate?" She asked.
Palladium nodded relieved and walked away. Samara sighed and walked to the corner of the ballroom. She took a cup of lemonade and watched as most of the couples continued dancing.
"Hi there."
Sky walked up to her. He was wearing a black suit and had his hair in a small ponytail.
"Well well well look at you all fancy!" Samara said teasing.
"You're one to talk." Sky said. "You look amazing sis."
"Thanks."
Sky filled two cups of lemonade.
"Too bad you don't have a date." He said. "You can sit with us if you want?"
"No, no, you deserve a night with Bloom." Samara said. "I'm going outside for some fresh air."
She put her cup down and slowly walked out of the school. The cool evening air was a relief for her skin. As she walked towards the gate of Alfea, she noticed that it was a clear night. The stars were shining bright and the moon basked the grounds of Alfea in a beautifull light. There was no one at the gate yet so Samara waited. Her feet started to hurt and she decided to take off her shoes.
"I would think a princess is used to wear high heels for one night."
She looked up to see Palladium walk towards her. She smiled.
"I guess I can't keep up to your dancing style." She said.
"Oh really?"
He grabbed her by the shoulders and moved them through the gate and out of sight from the ballroom windows. Samara yelled out of surprise.
"Let's see how you can keep up with me on bare feet than." He said.
There was a mischivous glint in his eyes that made Samara's heart melt. He took her in his arms again but this time more firmly and much more closer than when they were in the ballroom. Samara felt her heart pound louder and louder. They started to dance again. Samara couldn't keep her eyes off the elf, who in turn kept her gaze with his own.
"Are you having fun tonight?" He asked.
"I am, more then I've had all summer." She said. "What about you?"
"How can I feel anyting else but joy when I am dancing with the most beautifull woman I have ever seen?"
They stopped and stared at each other. And than it all happened so fast. Samara moved forward and two strong hands pulled her the last few centimeters. Their lips met softly at first but soon their kiss deepened. One hand kept Samara close on the small of her back and the other slowly made its way through her curls. Samara's own hands were pressed against the elf's chest and she could feel his heart race at the same pace as her own. After a few seconds they stopped to catch their breaths. Both of them started to laugh nervously and Samara saw a glimpse of the old Palladium.
"I uh…I'm sorry…"Samara started.
Palladium held a hand against her lips. "No…not now…not tonight." He said. "We'll figure this out later."
Samara nodded. "That sounds nice."
They walked into the forest, hands entertwined. It was quiet, only the occasional bird flying by to find a tree to sleep in, or the rustle of the wind blowing though the trees. They found a nice spot, a bit of an opening where the moonlight fell on the ground. Both of them sat down and Samara cuddled close to the elf, feeling her skin cover in goosebumps. He draped his arm around her. A content smile appeared on her face. She stared at Palladium, who was already staring at her. Slowly they brought their lips together again in a romantic kiss. The kiss deepened and Samara let her hands roam over his chest. There was a pleasant heath filling her mouth as their kiss developed even more. She moaned slightly. Palladiums hand entangeled with her hair again but this time a bit more agressively. Samara realized she didn't mind that at all. After several minutes they parted and Samara laid her head against his chest. His heartbeat was comforting.
"We should head back…" Palladium whispered reluctantly.
Samara nodded and slowly stood up. Palladium followed her example and they started to slowly walk out of the forest, the elf's arm wrapped around the fairy's waist. Everything was peacefull, everything was right.
They almost made it out of the forest, Alfea's gate visible through the trees when they heard someone approach from behind them. Fearing it to be a lost couple or even worse, a teacher, both of them let go of the other and Samara quickly stepped a few meters to the left.
"Who's there?" Palladium asked.
"Please…please help me."
A girl stepped out of the bushes. She looked terrible, her clothes torn, her hair completely tangled and her face wet of tears. Samara and Palladium quickly ran towards her.
"Oh dear, what happened to you?"
The girl didn't answer but instead fell to the ground. Palladium picked her up and he and Samara ran through the gate of the school towards the infirmary. It took them just a few minutes to get there, as the hallways were almost abandoned, onlyl a few couples hiding in the shadows together. Luckily nurse Ophelia was in her office next to the infirmary.
"Oh goodness, what happened?" She asked.
"We don't know, she lost conciousness before we had the chance to get any information." Palladium said.
He laid her down in the nearest bed and nurse Ophelia immediately checked the girl. Footsteps immerged and Griselda came into the room.
"I heard a student say that she saw professor Palladium carry a girl to the infirmary." She said.
She looked around and saw the elf standing next to Samara.
"Tell me what happened professor." She said.
"I would like to hear this as well." Faragonda said as she stepped in behind Griselda. "Is it one of our students?"
"No Mrs Faragonda, this girl was in the forrest." Palladium said. "She walked towards me and collapsed to the ground."
"And what were you doing in the forrest professor?" Griselda asked.
"I overheard some students saying they were going into the forrest for some…alone time." Palladium lied. "As one of the schools teachers it seemed my duty to send them back to the school before anything could happen to them."
Faragonda nodded approvingly but Griselda was not finished yet.
"And what about you miss Samara?" She asked suddenly turning towards the fairy of the Moon.
Samara jumped a bit by the sudden attention.
"I was outside at the fountain, I needed some fresh air." She quickly said. "I heard professor Palladium yell for help so I ran towards him, that's when I saw the girl fall to the ground."
"Weren't you two dancepartners for the opening dance?" Griselda asked.
Samara felt her heardbeat increase, but this time for a whole other reason.
"Yes we were, as miss Samara did not have a partner for the dance." Palladium said.
Samara was surprised that his voice was so calm.
"And you so happened to be outside together?" Griselda asked sharply.
"After the dance, we went our separate ways, of course." He said. "You can check with professor Dufour, I discussed my assignments for the night with her, including checking the forrest for any lovebirds." "Griselda, are you insinuating that miss Samara and I…."
The elf kept the question unfinished and gazed at Griselda with one brow slightly raised. Griselda's face turned red.
"What…of course not!" She sputtered. "The mere thought…of course not!"
"Mrs Faragonda, I'd like to go, this is getting a bit…awkward." Samara said.
"Of course, you can return to the ball if you like, or go back to your dorm but do not go wandering through the school." The headmisstres said. "Griselda, you and I are going to have a talk after we found out about the condition of this poor girl."
Samara walked out of the infirmary without looking at Palladium. She had no idea if he stayed in the infirmary or that he would follow. Her heart was racing as she quickly dove into the nearest bathroom. She checked all the stalls and was relieved to find it empty. She looked into the mirror. Her make-up was a bit smeared and the curls in her hair were starting to fall. Slowly she let all that had happened tonight sink in. How she and Palladium shared a wonderfull stroll together, their kisses that made her heart jump of happiness….but also the second where she feared they would be seen. How quickly they both let go of each other and stepped away. Palladiums words echoed through her mind.
We went our separate ways of course….
Griselda's discust as she realized what she was insinuating.
The mere thought…
Samara kept staring at herself in the mirror, tears started to well up in her eyes. She knew deep in her heart that the love she felt tonight, had been feeling for almost a year could never be. Not the way she wanted it to be…the way they deserved it to be. If anyone would find out, it would be the end of her education at Alfea and the end of Palladium's job. The tears started to fall down her cheeks silently, smearing her make-up even more. If she would be send away from Alfea, her parents were never ever going to allow her to do magic again. She would never become a guardian fairy for her planet, a planet that desparately needed magic again, despite the Royal Family being against it…against her. And Palladium, his work was his life, without teaching he would be misarable. There was really no other option. She splashed some water in her face, dried it off, including her make-up and stepped out of the bathroom.
She didn't know what to expect, but seeing Palladium standing in front of the window sill opposite from the bathroom door was certainly not it. The elf looked impressive with the moon visible from the window behind him. He looked up at her, sorrow in his eyes and Samara realized she must have the same look.
"This can't go on." He said with a quiet voice.
Samara nodded slowly. "I know…"
"It's not fair, you deserve so much more." He said. "You deserve a love that you can dive into, get lost in, not one that you have to hide in the shadows, always afraid to be caught."
"It is more than unfair, it is cruel." Samara said weakly. "You're the most kind, passionate man I've ever met, you should be able to love fully." "We can't give what we think the other deserves."
Tears fell from her cheeks onto her dress. "I can't have you risk your job and I can't allow myself to get expelled from Alfea." "So what do we do now?"
The question was a whisper.
"We'll just have to continue with our normal lives." Palladium said. His voice was filled with sorrow and even grief. "Try to avoid each other as much as possible."
His voice trembled. Samara nodded slowly although the mere thought of actually having to avoid him was making her sick. She looked down, unable to look at the elf any longer.
"I'm sorry…"
She looked up again, surprised. His voice was so soft, so fragile.
"Don't be, somewhere deep down I knew this would never work out, I guess we were both naive."
They both felt silent.
"I'm going to bed." Samara said after a few minutes.
She walked away without looking back, leaving Palladium alone. She was very glad that there was no one on her way to her dorm and when she stepped in she was the first one. Not that she expected anything different, the ball wasn't over for another two hours. She practically ran towards her room, closed the door and fell to the floor. She didn't just cry, she sobbed, gasping for breaths inbetween. If there was a way to cut out her heart at that very moment, she would have done so. Never in her life had she felt such pain, such agony. After a while she stood up and opened her closet. She saw herself in the mirror. Saw the dress that Palladium had loved so much. A thousand emotions rose up inside her, anger, sadness, sorrow a few of them. She grabbed the dress and started to rip it apart, throwing it on the floor while screaming out of impotence. After that she stepped into her pajama's and walked over to the bed. As she was about to step under the covers, a light caught her eyes. The moon was shining through her window. The moon…Flashes of memories came by. The windows at the ballroom, the rooftop, the forrest, the elf telling her how much he loved the moon. She stomped towards the window and roughly closed the curtains, filling her room and along with it so much more with darkness…