I'm sorry again, I really am! My parents took Johnny away again, and I just got him back! I'm soooooo sorry!
I went to the beach last Monday, and you know what? My brother got caught in the undertow, and didn't know how to get out. So I had to go out to help him out, and I got caught too. What would you guys do if I just up and kicked the bucket like that? Would you be sad? Hehe.
Anyway, I'm taking care of my friend's rat-- Worm. He's cool... presently he's listening to my music--haha, I'll see if I can make him into a rocker-- and crawling around my desk. And I'm reading Holly Lisle's Vincalis the Agitator. It's good.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
Chapter Seven: Savona's Ball
((-))
I found I didn't have a lavender ball gown, so Mora and some others changed the ribbons on my white-and-silver one. Looking at myself in the mirror, I couldn't help wondering what Shevraeth would think. Mora brushed out my hair, and arranged it so that I fell down my back. She placed a white headdress with long white ribbons and roses, and one lavender bow. I had a new fan, which hung at my waist on a braided silken cord. I felt splendid, and secretly hoped that Shevraeth would notice.
I met Bran and Nee out in the hallway. But instead of leading me down to the ballroom, they took me to a gallery that overlooked the ballroom, and stopped at the landing at the top of the grand stairway. Shevraeth was waiting there for us, looking splendid in his usual dark colours. Looking at him, I swallowed nervously. I looked quickly away. Down to the ballroom, where a great crowd of people were milling about. I got a sinking feeling in my stomach.
"Nee!" I hissed. "You mean we have to go down these stairs--with him--and everyone looking at us?"
"We're guests of honour," she whispered. "We're supposed to be looked at! We'll open the ball. You remember? I know I told you."
Bran flicked my shoulder. "Brace up Mel. You'll like it. I promise."
Right, I thought unhappily. I looked at my shoes, wishing I was back home, riding in the hills. I just knew I was going to mess this up somehow... with Shevraeth watching. Not to mention Savona and all the other courtiers.
"Savona's waiting," Nee whispered. The music started up, and I could see faces looking up at us. I took a deep breath, and tried to smile politely. Shevraeth held out his arm to me, and just seeing him like that made my heart race. I swallowed hard, and put my hand on his sleeve.
Seeing my nervousness, Shevraeth smiled. "Think of this as a battle," he murmured.
"A battle?" I repeated, surprised. I looked up into his face. He looked just as politely blank as always, but there was a hint of laughter in the way his eyes were narrowed. He nodded.
"You've a sword in your hand, and vast numbers of ravening minions of some dreaded evil sorcerer await below. The moment you step among them, you'll leap into battle, mowing them down in droves..." Thinking of such an unlikelihood made me grin. I realised that he'd brought me down the stairs safely, with no embarrassing situations to rectify. We were halfway to where Savona waited alone in the middle of the room. Around us, people were bowing and curtseying. I imagined pulling out a sword and turning it on these smiling courtiers. I smiled, until I lost the image.
"I don't really like battles you know," I whispered to Shevraeth.
"Of course I know," he returned, still with that laughter in his eyes. "But you're used to them." I smiled again, ruefully, thinking of my dismal war. Then Savona was bowing before us, and the music for the fist dance started.
Shevraeth--having the highest rank, and being a guest of honour--politely held out his hand to me. I accepted it, my heart fluttering. And we danced.
It seemed Shevraeth and I were meant to dance together. We both stepped through the dance in perfect unison, swirling and moving easily through the complicated steps. There was no awkwardness, which was a great relief. We said nothing, but there was a connection, an indescribable connection, and I wanted that dance to never end. I caught his eye, and there was something there, almost completely hidden, but there was something there.
Alas that all good things must end. The music slowed, and Shevraeth leaned close. For a second I thought he was going to kiss me. But no, he leaned in close to my ear.
"Battle well fought," he whispered. "When you get a moment, come see me outside on the balcony." Then he bowed, and handed me off to Savona.
Again I danced, though distracted. What does he want? I wondered. I knew that there was no way I'd miss a chance to talk to him. Though it was a wonder why. Do I like him that much? I asked myself. It was true, I hadn't had a conversation with him since our--incident. I supposed I just wanted to see what he had to say.
As I brought my thoughts back to the dance, I realised that the dance was ending. Savona bowed to me, gave me a dazzling smile, and sauntered away. I was immediately bombarded with young gentlemen asking to dance. Hoping I would not keep Shevraeth waiting too long, I danced with a few of them.
After a few dances, I claimed I was thirsty, and hurried over to get some punch. I filled a small glass for myself, and a second for Shevraeth--as a peace offering, if nothing else. I then hurried out to the balcony.
Shevraeth was waiting for me. His hands clasped behind his back, he was staring out at the palace grounds. When I stepped out onto the balcony, he turned to face me.
I held out the drink. "I got you some punch," I said. He smiled and took it. I sipped my punch in silence, looking over the grounds. The sky was clear, the stars sparkling brightly. A fountain splashed in the distance, and I could see people walking through the elaborately designed gardens. I hid a dreamy smile, thinking how romantic it was...and who I was there with.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" Shevraeth asked. I nodded. He came to stand next to me, still not revealing his reasons for calling me out here. I waited, drinking in the beautiful gardens.
"Meliara..." he murmured. I turned to face him, my heart beating a rapid tattoo against my ribs, my breaths coming quicker just by looking at him. He was smiling gently, his blond hair gleaming in the light from the ballroom. He looked wonderful, majestic, magical...
"Shevraeth," I said. "What is it?" He shook his head.
"Not Shevraeth," he admonished. "Vidanric."
"Lord Vidanric," I said, liking the way that sounded on my tongue. "Vidanric."
He nodded. "Meliara, I wanted to speak with you about... well, about what happened in Lumm." I swallowed nervously, going crimson.
"What about it?" I asked, hating the way my voice sounded... one could say it almost squeaked. "I mean-- well, I'm sorry I forced you to collect right there, I didn't mean to off--" Vidanric was shaking his head, and I faltered to a stop.
"No, I'm not talking about that," he said.
I looked at the ground. "Oh."
"Mel, I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable while we...danced and afterwards," he said, sounding uncomfortable himself.
I was finding it difficult to breathe. I took a sip of my punch, trying to catch my breath and wetting my suddenly dry mouth. "I, um... well, I was kind of... I mean I didn't... uh... I--I wasn't." I finished lamely. I turned back to the gardens again. I put my drink down, to hide that my hands were trembling. Beside me, I heard him sigh and also put his cup on the ground.
"I hope I'm not too bold when I say..." Vidanric let his voice trail off. I stared fiercely at the gardens below us, trying to keep my breathing under control, and my heart from being audible.
"Meliara, will you look at me?"
I turned to face him again. "I'm sorry," I apologized quickly.
"No, Mel, don't apologize," he said. "I just wanted to say..." again he stopped, and took a deep breath.
"Vidanric..." I said. "You can say it. I won't laugh at you, or yell, or get mad." Vidanric gave me a rueful smile.
"Sorry," he said. It was my turn to tell him not to apologize. "I wanted to say... well, while we were in there dancing...and after... I wish we hadn't been interrupted. I wish you hadn't left." He took hold of my arms and held me tight. "Mel, I want you to know. I don't hate you, and I'm sorry we started off on the wrong foot. I've been going mad, all this time, because you've been holding me at arm's length. Please, Meliara, please don't resent me because of the war and the way we met." Vidanric looked at me, his mask gone, his eyes pleading.
"I don't resent you," I said with a gasp. I tried to work through all he had said. "I--I don't hate you. It was just... you were--and I was--there was the harp..." I was still breathing hard. I gave him a faint smile. "I can't breathe," I said. His eyebrows shot up, and for the first time he took in my shaken state.
"Mel, you're trembling!" he exclaimed. I smiled weakly, nodding. He released me and I found it difficult to stand on knees gone to jelly. I leaned back against the rail, holding myself upright with my arms.
"Sorry," I said. "Just... surprised, I guess."
"I'm sorry," Vidanric said. "I should have waited until we were completely alone..." he glanced back to the doorway. Apparently no one had yet noticed our exchange.
"No, it's fine," I said. "Just, well, I didn't want to leave either." Vidanric looked puzzled. "In Lumm," I elaborated. "After we heard that harper... I didn't want to leave. There was something I hadn't done..." I tried to stand up properly... my jelly legs made it difficult.
He gave me a small smile. "What was that?" he asked.
"I hadn't kissed you."
((-))
MOHAHAHAHAHA!
Sorry, but this was too good a cliffhanger to pass up. I just had to use it.
Review, and I'll update soon. Don't review... and you'll never get another chapter!! laughs evilly Mohahahahahahahahahahahaha!
I can just hear you all clamouring to click the review button! Soliloquy: mohahahaha, now that I have them all in the palm of my hand, I'll take over the world! And then, when I've taken over the world, I will make everyone read my glorious cliffhangers! Mohahahaha!
Okay, enough of me gloating in my evilness. Review Responses!
Thank you to dynast, legofiance, mysticdreamer42, eve, rubic-cube, victoria27, Wake-Robin, Phaerie, and dreamerdoll for all you most wonderful reviews! i truly appreaciate them.
soccerfreak2516- Thanks! I'm glad you like it. The place I was camping at was called Kenomee Canyon Park, near Economy, Nova Scotia. I will most definitely check out your story!
Narm's Briton 44- I liked Numair a lot, but he wasn't my fav. I can definitely relate to Alanna and Kel though, so that's why I like them better. Ever since I was little I've wished I could go back in time and be a knight. although now that I'm older, I realise they wouldn't have let me (haha). I'll check out your stories!
Charmed Princess- I most definitely appreciate your review! I've not put much of the book in this chapter. I hope you enjoyed it!
Squirrel Maiden of Green- swoons haha, beat you to it! I love Savona and Danric. sooooo hooooooooot!
Lady Fate- I'm glad you like Savona and Danric! I'm thinking of a way to make him do something OOC and sudden, but the truth is, I hadn't really planned on making this very long. I'll definitely see what I can do.
FelSong- I'm glad you like! I personally like Bran a lot, so I really wanted him to have part of a chapter relitivly to himself. as seen above, I did stay away from the original! hoep you like!
Erkith- I'm glad you like! I love writing the conversations between S and D. It's fun. Updating!
FlamingPhoenix09- I'm glad you like! I love it how Danric is different with Russav. He's so cool! I'll see if I can get him to do something big. Enjoy this chapter!
Angie05- sigh hm... my own personal Danric... aw....
REVIEW!!!!
