Chapter 5 The Dance

Fiyero lead Elphaba into the middle of a darkened room. "Stay here. Don't move. Don't go anywhere. What you've seen so far in this castle is nothing compared to this."

"I can't see anything. It's pitch black in here," Elphaba said.

"You'll love it," his voice echoed throughout the room. "Trust me."

"Fiyero?" She called out his name upon hearing what sounded like double doors closing.

He turned on the lights, and smiled, leaning against the 24 karat gold doors. A twenty tier crystal chandelier illuminated the room.

Elphaba's heart accelerated. Spinning around several times with her arms out like a little girl, her eyes lit up like fireflies. She took notice of the magnificently detailed designs from the crystal chandelier to the mirrored walls and the dance floor, feeling like Cinderella, Snow White and Sleeping Beauty all rolled up in one. There was something majestic in the air, never has she seen or felt anything as gloriously beautiful as in that very moment. "This is something out of a storybook. Breathtaking. Not just in here but everywhere."

"I'm glad you're enjoying this personal tour."

"Very much. Thank you." Elphaba scanned the ballroom. "It's like I'm in a different world."

"The best is yet to come," he said.

"There's more?"

His blue eyes glistened as he looked at her. "It's the grand finale. I thought I'd squeeze this one in."

"What is it?"

Fiyero grabbed her hands. His behavior was polite and sweet. "Let's dance."

"Your grand finale is a dance? I don't dance," she said.

"It's not just a dance. I get to dance with you. Ballrooms are made for dancing."

"Listen. Do you hear that?"

" I don't hear anything," Fiyero said.

"My point exactly. There's no music playing," Elphaba said.

"We can make our own music." Pulling her closely, Fiyero hummed softly in her ears.

Taking in very slow steps, they swayed rhythmically as they danced barely leaving no space between them. Dancing with Elphaba was exhilarating. Fiyero felt the warmth of her body against his. He knew he wanted her...desperately.

Elphaba felt as if she was floating on air each time he held her closer. She closed her eyes, and enjoyed a sensual pleasure which surprisingly came over her. Her heart pounded, afraid he would hear the loudness bursting out of her chest.

Their bodies moved in unison. Her arms twined tightly around his neck, Elphaba rested her head against his broad shoulders. He embraced her possessively never wanting the moment to end.

"You're beautiful," Fiyero said.

Elphaba pulled away. "What?"

Fiyero played with the strands of her hair. "Beautiful. Having qualities of delight that appeal to the senses and the mind. Maybe you should read the dictionary. You look very pretty in your dress."

"Thank you. It's from Glinda."

The mention of Glinda nearly killed the mood. "That's very nice of her."

"Uh huh," she said.

"Uh huh what?"

"You don't really like her. She gave you a headache."

"Almost," he confessed. "A little bit too perky for me. Okay, a lot too perky for me. But she's your best friend. I must really try to like her since I'll be around you often. That is, if you want me around."

No one has ever wanted to be in the company of the green girl. People would point fingers, laugh and ridicule her. Elphaba hid the hurt. She held her head up high never allowing anyone to see her heart break into tiny little pieces. She wasn't strong, confident nor independent, she just played the part. In reality, the librarian was weak, scared and lonely. Ice cold. Frozen ice is all they see, never to be melted inside. Her insecurities drown her, and she hid behind a facade, crying at night on her pillow in the privacy of her own home. To have someone say that they wanted to be around her, to be with her was but dream.

"Elphaba? You have a faraway look as if you're thinking of something."

"What...what is it about me that fascinates you?"

"Besides being beautiful? Everything," he said. "You're intelligent, outspoken, fiery, passionate, captivating."

"You need glasses because I..."

"Shhh," Fiyero placed a finger to her lips. "Anyone told you that you talk too much?"

Elphaba grabbed his finger. "Yes. But..."

He placed his hands on her waist, and pulled her close. "I believe we were in the middle of a dance."

Instead of humming, he sang. ...to hold you ever so tight and to feel you in the night, the nearness of you.

The Crown Prince could have taken her right then and there. But he wasn't about to treat Elphaba like he treated his other women. She was to be treated with respect. When the time would come for their love making, it would be slow and sensual, lasting for hours.

Their dance ended. Fiyero ran his fingers through her hair. Cupping the back of her neck, he drew her close. Through every nerve of her body, Elphaba felt electrifying sensations as he held her. Feeling the warmth of his lips on hers, she moaned softly. Her world moved in slow motion as he kissed her. Instead of hard and passionate, it was soft and tender.

Neither of them knew how long their kiss lasted. They broke apart to catch their breaths. "You excite me, Elphaba Thropp. From the moment I saw you in the garden."

"It wasn't a very pleasant meeting, if I recall correctly," she said, breathlessly.

Fiyero smiled, gently caressing her face. "There was something mystical about you standing there as you held a rose between your fingers. That picture constantly replayed in my head."

Lowering his head, he captured her lips for a slow, long drugging kiss. She responded to him without hesitation. While feeling her heart flutter, his was on fire.

TBC - Chapter 6

A/N: Sorry this is such a short chapter. The next several chapters will be much longer.

James Birdsong, thank you so much for reading and giving me a great review. I really appreciate it.

Thank you, Indy's Green Hat and PocketSevens for keeping up with this story and for your continued wonderful reviews.