Title: Dance

Author: Ayla Pascal

Summary: "Alanna is helpless as Roger whirls her around, his arm gripping her tightly around her waist."

Rating: PG

Pairing: Alanna/Roger

-

Alanna is helpless as Roger whirls her around, his arm gripping her tightly around her waist.

A dream? The thought is flitting.

Roger smiles at her and tucks a stray hair behind her ear. The gesture is almost loving but for the glint of malice in his eyes. "No, Lioness, this is no dream." He spins her away from him, and then steps so that she comes back in a swish of dark red saffron. "We belong together."

"No, we don't," Alanna spits angrily, but she is helpless to do anything but follow the steps of the dance.

Step.

Step.

Whirl.

Step.

Like the motions of life, Roger leads her around the square ballroom floor.

With shock, Alanna realises that the entire Tortallan Court is watching them. Jonathan is standing but five feet away, with his arm around Thayet. "Help me," she pleads, but he just smiles and waves her on.

"They can't hear you," Roger tells her.

"What do you want with me?" Alanna wishes she had her sword with her. She bested him once in a duel. She can do it again.

Roger draws her close so that she is looking right up into his deep blue eyes – so much like Jonathan's, she realises – and whispers, "To be mine forever, Alan, Alanna, Lioness."

She tries to struggle out of his grip, but he is too strong and she was never that good at wrestling anyway. He gives her a bruising possessive kiss and she feels weak. "You'll never win."

He smiles. "But I've already won."

The scene shifts and Alanna is sitting upon a throne looking down at the whole court. "Jonathan," she says confusedly and looks at the man sitting next to her.

"Wrong," he says with a bemused smile. It is Roger. His hand clasps her own tightly. "You gave me everything. The crown. Tortall." There is a sliver of madness in his gaze as he leads her down into the crowd of courtiers. Music begins to play and he whirls her around slowly, carefully. "Most of all, Alanna," he whispers as he clasps her tightly. "You gave me yourself."

And Alanna watches in horror as children run up and attach themselves to her gown. Trebond and Conte, she thinks faintly. Who would have thought?

Roger simply smiles.