It became apparent to Alice how much preparation was actually involved with getting ready for the Dark Dance.

She had Minnie had had to take their classes in the morning, and as soon as lunch was over, start the task of moving the dead leaves from the campus grounds where they had fallen into the gym. Potsdam had already altered the gym floor to make it less slippery. After all, a normal gym floor covered with dead leaves would likely result in slipping injuries once students started to dance.

Alice and Minnie took turns moving the air with Red magic like they were a giant leaf-blower and providing the wall that had directed the air toward the gym, and then spread the leaves all over the floor. Most of the junior's officers were going through the school putting up the blue glow that would direct the students to the gym once the lights went out. Their secretary was running a final rehearsal of the volunteer musicians from various classes. The freshman president was placing and filling incense burners, so they would be ready to be lit when the time came. As soon as supper was over, the senior's officers arrived in the gym to secure sources of hot and cool air and then weave their circulation throughout the gym so the dancers could feel bursts of air of different temperatures without it mixing that much.

She stayed behind in the gym to see if she could help with anything else after supper. Hieronymous was there, supervising the students, and had to dissipate the miniature cyclone one the seniors had accidentally created. Instead of giving the unlucky student demerits, detentions, or breathing fire at her immediately, she could hear her husband give the girl the homework of being able to dispel such a cyclone on her own by next Monday or she would be in detention. Surprise and relief that it had not gone worse was evident on the girl's face as Hieronymous turned and walked away from her, until she had picked out Alice sitting on a bench and nodded thoughtfully.

Perhaps Hieronymous actually was in a better mood when in her presence. Or perhaps he purposely slacked his normal discipline a little to encourage the idea that her presence was desirable to the students at large to give credit to her brother's assertions.

It was nice not being treated as a contagious disease as she had been shortly after the news of their marriage had spread. She was still something separate from the student body at large, but she could tolerate that. After all, it was not that much different from being the oldest in her own family. Her additional duties when her mother had been ill had caused some amount of social isolation. It was not just the time it had taken to perform them, but she had begun to see many of her peers as irresponsible and selfish. On the other hand, this was also why her bond with Clark was so strong. He had always been there for her and had helped her as much as he could. Until she had come to Iris, he had been the closest thing she had had to a best friend.

Finally, Hieronymous announced that it was time to begin, interrupting her thoughts. The incense burners were lit, the musicians took their places, and her husband came and took her hand as the lights went out.

The music started, and the drum beat seemed to work its way into her soul. Her husband did not move from his seat beside her, so she sat listening as the gym began to fill. There were the sounds of footfalls that obviously belonged to the students, and the shadowy presence of Joago that had been there before them, entering as soon as the lights were out.

Finally, her husband stood and led her by the hand. The scent of pine was delicious, and the bursts of hot and cool air made it feel like she was near a campfire on a breezy autumn night. When they reached their destination, Hieronymous paused only to place his other hand on her waist as they began to dance.

At first, it was strange dancing in the dark, unable to see her partner's movements. Alice had to relax, to feel and hear his movements so she could follow them, and allow herself to become accustom to the rhythm of the dance. She had to trust where her husband led her completely, and in following him, they never bumped into anyone else.

Not being able to see forced her to focus her attention elsewhere. They were dancing close enough that the pine incense did not overwhelm her husband's own particular scent. She had smelled it before when kissing him, and for some reason it was particularly enticing. She was very aware of his hand on her waist, and her arm resting on his shoulder as their other two hands touched.

Focusing on these things made time seem to stand still, but it went entirely too quickly. Just before the soft candlelight appeared to announce the end of the ceremony, Hieronymous led her around a corner away from the crowd. She discovered her arms, moving almost as if they had a will of their own, winding around his neck as her husband kissed her. She had given him light kisses any number of times, but this was only the second time he had kissed her. Unlike the hopeful 'hello' of the first kiss they had shared, this one left her feeling weak in her knees and gulping for air while she was still pressed up against his chest. As soon as she got her breath back, she leaned up for another which was immediately granted. The second was as gentle as the first had been passionate.

When they were done, he leaned down so his mouth was beside her ear. "I've said it in other ways, but I need to tell you in words. I love you Alice," he whispered.

If she had not been warm from head to toe before, she certainly was now. "I love you too, Hieronymous," she whispered back. And she realized it was true; this man was her present and future.

They shared another kiss before finally detaching themselves to return to their rooms. Alice felt like she was walking on air as she made her way back towards her dorm room. She was the last to arrive, as Ellen and Virginia were already in their pajamas and getting under their covers. Alice knew that she was grinning like a Cheshire cat, and they looked at her oddly as she simply kicked her shoes off before getting into her bed still fully dressed.

Her roommates stared at her a moment before sharing a knowing look with each other. Virginia simply shook her head, bemused, as she turned out the light.

...

Thank you to those of you who have reviewed. If I know that someone is paying attention, that helps my motivation to churn more chapters out faster. :)