Chapter 4- Part 2

Andros waited by the staircase, wondering what had possessed him to pick out her dress for her.  He just wanted her to make a good impression, that's all. There were no ulterior motives, no reason other than appearance. He wouldn't want to be seen with anyone not dressed their finest, would he? Of course not.

He couldn't lie to himself any longer however when she walked down the hallway towards him.

The fabric seemed to flow about her, like the waves of the ocean. He remembered when she had worn another dress with these colors of the sea, just a few years ago. His birthday. He should have said so much to her then, but Natalie had ruined it all.

Twenty minutes, he thought as she walked closer. I could have given her five and she would have looked just as beautiful.

Her hair had been pulled up, cascading down her back in long auburn curls. Her dress was gentle, her whole appearance was gentle. Everything except her eyes. They reminded him of the sea, but with the electric quality one feels just before a storm.

"I don't think you will ever be able to hide your feelings, your eyes give you away."

"What?" She stopped at his soft words.

Andros, surprised that he had voiced his thought out loud, attempted to shrug it off. "You are angry with me."

"You insulted me." She snapped, but her eyes softened slightly.

"I meant no insult, whatever I said."

"Twenty minutes?" She mumbled the spark returning.

"Yes, well, I just meant that you look so lovely that you needed no time at all to get ready." Andros was slightly taken aback with the truthfulness of his words, but Ashley did not take them that way.

"You are terrible at the art of flattery, Andros."

"Of course my lady, that is why I always speak the truth." He held out his arm to her, offering a silent challenge.

Ashley firmly placed her hand on his arm and gazed up at him defiantly. "Let us meet your guests my lord."

"Our guests my lady."

"Of course."

The two made their way down the stairs, not knowing what a picture they posed for the man waiting below.

Zhane watched the pair descend the main staircase with a small smile playing across his lips. He recognized the flash in Ashley's eyes, and wondered if perhaps there was more behind their stormy depths than she would admit to herself. There was only one way to find out.

He turned and left the room, calling for a servant.