They walked around the party, stopping every now and again to refresh their beverages or sample an horderve or two, and enjoyed the sights. Kane regaled her with tales of his heroics and many adventures climbing the ranks of the King's Guard
He was tall, gracious, and charming. Angelina was beginning to feel the effects of the mead. A pleasant warmth flushed her cheeks a rosy shade and gave her a terrible case of the giggles. Her feet felt light, and when he offered her a dance, she accepted happily. He danced slowly, and easily, a graceful man, with practiced years in the courts of Gramenia. He gently guided her through the steps of this simple waltz and within minutes she was as confident in her moves as he was. They glided under the stars. As the song ended, he bowed deeply and smiled. Before he could say anything, he felt a tapping upon his shoulder. The two dancers turned to see Fen standing beside them, with sharp eyes, leaning heavily on a cane.
"Hello little brother, Kane said merrily." He turned to Angelina. "This is my brother Fen, a fine general in Gremenia's royal guard, and the Chief Strategist for our-"
"We've met," Angelina said, suddenly feeling a little bad for interrupting Kane's introduction.
He looked back at her in surprise. "Oh, ok, never-mind then..."
Fen smiled but narrowed his eyes, a place that the smile did not reach. He inclined his head slightly without breaking contact with his eyes. "May I cut in for a dance?" He asked coldly, his smile perfectly in place.
Kane frowned, swaying a little on his feet, seemingly beginning to succumb to the heavy pull of the mead. He looked from Angelina to Fen. "I saw her first..."
"You needn't worry", Fen said through his teeth, "I'll return her to you in short order. In the meantime, they've just brought out a cask of Gremenia's finest mulled wine. Perhaps you could secure us all a few glasses before it is all drunk up by the locals?" He said all this still watching Angelina carefully, she flushed and fidgeted under his withering gaze. Fen passed his cane to his brother and patted his shoulder heartily. Kane paused a moment, still frowning, and then grudgingly obliged, stalking off to the line forming at the newly opened cask.
As the music swayed, Fen stood stiffly before Angelina. He offered her his hand, but when she took it, he turned it quickly, grabbing her around the wrist tight. The fine white leather of his glove pinched her skin tightly. He pulled her close, crushing her against him tight enough that she could feel the warmth of his body against hers and the press of each individual gloved finger against the small of her back. The gold buttons of his coat and the phoenix crest on his chest bit into her through the thin silken material of the dress. She was very uncomfortable. He seemed pleased by this. They waltzed. He was faster than Kane, and more precise. Every movement was with purpose. He too, was graceful, and seemed indifferent to his pain and injuries while he moved to the music. Had she not seen them first hand and known about their extent before the dance, had he not just been walking with a cane, she'd have sworn he was perfectly healthy.
They danced and twirled about the dancefloor, and the party seemed to whirl around them. Angelia was beginning to feel dizzy. After some moments he danced her to the edge of the floor where they were farther away from the other revelers.
"What do you think you're doing?" His voice was low, but commanding. His eyes pierced her soul, as he twirled her in his arms.
"I... uh...dancing?" She felt his grip on her wrist tighten. "Ow! You're hurting me!" she complained and tried to wrench free. But his grip was fixed. "look if this is about Kane-"
He dipped her abruptly cutting her off, making her head snap back and biting her tongue in the process. "Hnn, I see we're doing this the hard way then..." He tsked. He dipped her lower. She wondered off-hand how he was keeping his balance. He spoke right into her ear barely above a whisper. She could feel the warmth of his breath contrast the cool summer evening air. "You may think you are fooling the others but you haven't fooled me... I WILL figure out what little game you are playing at and I will destroy you. Keep cozying up to Mira, if you think it will help, but rest assured you Will feel my steel at your throat before this is over." He jerked Angelina upright right as the song ended. Angelina stood, breathless and rubbed the back of her neck with a wince. Fen seemed entirely unruffled from the exertion.
"Ah! There you are Kane" He spoke theatrically loud. "Ah, and you have drinks too, oh, bless you. I am quite parched after that little foxtrot." He limped over to his brother and took back his cane and a glass of the wine. It was then that Angelina realized how much pain he must've actually been in during their little dance. He leaned on it heavily, pretending it was an act of casual ease, he seemed to be trying to hide that he too was breathing heavily but his shoulders gave him away.. Kane looked him up and down and frowned. "Fen.." he leaned in with a not quite whisper. "You're bleeding again. You shouldn't overdo it tonight, remember what the medic said; you're still healing." He looked down at Fen's leg with a brotherly concern. Angelina looked at his leg too, and saw that Kane was indeed right. A crimson bloom was spreading across the left leg of his trousers just below the knee. It was seeping at an alarming pace.
"You're bleeding!" Angelina said, a little too loudly. He narrowed his eyes at her.
"So I am." Said Fen sunnily still wearing his perfect arctic smile, "I think I will take my leave and retire a tad early tonight." He inclined his head with a slight bow and then stiffly turned to walk away. He looked over his shoulder to address Kane "Be careful of that one brother," He called out. "The prettiest of roses have the sharpest of thorns". and then he limped out of sight.