Previously in Needle in the hay: "RODRIGO WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING!" She said racing towards the noise leaving a trail of flames. Great she left me. I turned to look at Zeno. He was still staring at me, which made me blush harder. I hope Cathy comes back soon I gulped.

We stood there for another awkward minute. I stared at the grounds I could feel a little less awkward but it didn't really help. So I tried focusing on Cathy. Even though she was most likely still in the kitchen it did help lower down all the noise. More crashes as screams were heard, mostly from Cathy. I sighed, that poor guard of hers.

"You clumsy idiot, why can't you get anything right!"

"I sorry I do my best not to mess up anymore, but please but the knife down!"

"Why are you so sure there's going to be a next time?"

-_-'

I looked up when I heard Zeno clear his throat. His hand was up to his lower lip and his eyes were no longer on me. Maybe it was a trick of the light but from here it looked like he was blushing.

"So . . . that's the gown you're going to wear. "I shyly nodded.

"I-I guess I kind of look silly, right?" I said with an awkward laugh. He instantly turned to look at me.

"No of course you don't, you look . . . really beautiful, after all that kind of style suites you more than any other."

"What do you mean?"

"Nothing I was just saying." He took a step forward. I wanted to move back but my feet felt like they were stuck to the ground. So I just stood and watched. He didn't move or talked he just gazed into my eyes. Where was Cathy when I needed her? I was really feeling uncomfortable. Zeno stretched out his hand and place it on my burning cheek. His hand gently glided down to my chin. He tilted my head up. If he were someone else I knew I would have smacked his hand away.

"What am I going to do with you?" He breathed out.

"If I knew it would be this hard to keep my promise, I wouldn't have made it." I felt my heart skip a beat and I guess Zeno pick up on my discomfort because he let his hand dropped down to his side and then he sighed.

"But I did make it so I have to keep it. So anyway this ball is only a few days away, if I'm not mistaken?" I nodded.

"Tell me do you know how to dance properly for such an occasion." By the time he was finished his sentence I felt like is I got smacked across the face with something hard. I totally forgot I don't know how to dance! The ball is right around the corner and I have no practice in dancing.

"I don't know how to dance at all. I knew there was a reason in why I don't like to go to Balls!"

"Well I guess it can't be helped then." I turned my attention to Zeno. He was bowing and had one hand behind his back and the other was stretched out for me to take.

"As an assassin I had to learn many different skills to help in are missions. So if you permit me this dance I could teach you."

"Ah, well I, ah I-

"Of course she'll take up on you offer after all the ball is but a few days away!" Cathy's sudden outburst nearly made my jump out of my skin. She sure does know how to have an unexpected entrance.

"Well?" Zeno pressed. I let out a sigh of defeat and gave in.

"Well seeing as you seem to know what you're doing I guess I wouldn't mind you teaching me." I answered awkwardly.

"I am honored."

"Rodrigo turn on the music we will start right away with the lessons and if you break anything I swear I set you on fire!"

"Y-yes right away my lady." Rodrigo rushed to play the music and nearly tripping in the process. I already can tell today is going to be a long day.

Lesson one- don't forget to breathe 3

Cathy ordered her servants to clear the living room so there would be more room for us to practice in. Then, she rushed out of the house claiming that she had an errand to run. So one again I was alone with Zeno. It was a good thing that I changed out of my dress because I really don't need any extra attention from him.

"Are you ready to begin Ela?"

"I think so."

"Alright let's start with your posture, Make sure to stand up straight, no slouching. Keep your head up high don't lead you head hang and also make sure too keep eye contact if you keep watching your feet you'll be more likely to mess up understood."

"Mostly"

"Alright now rest your left hand on my shoulder."

"Like this?"

"That's right now I'll place my hand on your back." His touch made me shutter and my cheeks burn. He move pushed me a little closer to him but there was still a good amount of space between us.

"Now give me your right hand." He took my hand and positioned it just about my eye level. My heart was pounding but I really didn't understand why.

"Ela I didn't think I had to tell you but you do need to breathe in order to dance." I couldn't believe I was so nervous that I forgot to breathe.

"S-sorry I guess I forgot hehe." I laughed awkwardly.

"Its alright just follow my lead, I'll start out slow but then I'll pick up the past alright." I exhaled and nodded.

Lesson two- don't fall ;D

"Ok so first I'll move my left foot forward and then you move your right foot back at the same time I move my foot understood."

"I think I got it." He began moving and I tried my best to follow.

"Ok now do the same with your other foot." I did as I was told and surprisingly I did pretty well.

"Good now glide your left foot over to your left. I do the same with mine so make sure to stay in sync."

"Ok I'll do my best." He began to move again and I did my best to follow.

"Alright now we'll repeat the same first step but this time you'll move your foot forward and I'll move mine back. Then well do step 2 but with the opposite leg. You got that?"

"Ah sure . . .?" We began to move again I almost stepped o his foot but luckily I missed. Other than that I did pretty good.

"You did very well, but make sure to keep eye contact. " Easier said than done.

"Alright now let's try speeding it up." The first time it was ok, then the third was not so easy, and the fourth time, well it was bad.

"I don't think I can ke- I couldn't finish my sentence because somehow I managed to step on the hem of my dress and trip. I fell forward and crashed into Zeno and because he still had one foot up he lost his balance and ended up falling back with me on top. Well at least be didn't end up falling all the way Zeno managed to catch himself in a sitting position and I was able to catch myself on one knee but my face ran into his chest.

I pulled myself up but stopped when I notice I was dangerously close to Zeno. His eyes were on my lips and his hand was on my waist. He inched forward. I wanted to get out of there but my body refused to move. I could feel his hot breath on my lips which made my senses tingle. I knew doing this was wrong and that it would be a betrayal to the love I have for Altair but I couldn't find myself able to move away. Part of me wanted run but part of me wanted to stay. I slowly closed my eyes and leaned in. His lips were warm and passionate. He pressed me closer to his body and I whimpered at the feel of his body so close to mine. Compared to Altair Zeno was more forceful more hungry. I felt something totally different in kissing Zeno. Even if I wanted to stop my body refused to listen to me and my lips moved on their own.

"I'm back how's the lessons going!" I instantly jumped back and stood up. I placed my hand over my mouth.

"So how she doing Zeno?"

"She's' not doing too bad."

"Glad to hear it."

"So I'm sure both of you are tired of practicing all day so how about you take a break and we all go out to eat."

"Um, I don't kno I really don't want to go out."

"Aw come on I know you want to go you're not going to make me go out and eat all by myself right?"

"Well I guess I can go then."

"Great and Zeno what about you?" Zeno scratched the back of his head.

"I suppose I could tag along."

"Alright so lets us get going." I have to admit I really don't feel like going out and especially with Zeno there. All this guilt won't let me enjoy anything and I really can blame it on Zeno because I allowed it. What am I going to do the next time I see Altair.

. . .

Don't hate me for that I promise this is as far as the whole Ela/Zeno relationship will go.

Oh and by the way Cathy really did have an errand to do.

Sorry this chpt took so long plz tell me if there's anything I should do to not ruin the story