Although I have not known him long, it feels as if I’ve known Ryvan forever. I am comfortable with him in and way that I have never been with anyone else. He is kind and thoughtful and… so different from what I’d originally thought he would be. It seems the Fae are far from tricksters like I’d heard, but one thing still rings true.
His people are completely and utterly captivating in every sense of the word.
He bows before me and extends his hand. I take it in mine, and he pulls me toward him. He curls his arm around my waist, carefully resting his palm against the small of my back while his other hand holds mine. We’re so close that his warm breath whispers across my face as I meet his glowing green eyes.
He arches a brow. “You are supposed to place your free hand on my shoulder, Ella.”
“Oh,” I reply. Completely flustered, I do as he asks. My cheeks heat as he pulls me even closer until there is barely any space between us.
“Now.” He smiles. “Follow my lead.”
I’ve never danced before. So, when he starts moving, I try my best to follow but end up tripping repeatedly over his feet and apologizing profusely.
He stops and tips his chin down until his gaze is level with mine. “How about we try this another way?”
“What would you suggest?”
“Stand on my feet so you can get a sense of the movements.”
My mouth drops. “You want me to stand on your feet?” I glance down at the ground then back up at him. “Will that not hurt you?”
“I’ve told you before. Your fear is unfounded, Ella. My people are much stronger than yours.” As if to demonstrate his point, he circles his hands around my waist and lifts me as if I weigh nothing. I laugh while he spins me around a few times before setting me back on my feet.
He grins, and I roll my eyes. “All right. I get your point. But still”—I slip off my shoes—“I don’t want these soles to bruise you.”
“Very thoughtful of you.” He chuckles.
Carefully, I step onto his feet, and he begins to dance. We whirl and move in a complicated pattern as he holds me tightly to him.
He arches a brow. “Do you think you have it now?”
I laugh. “No, Ryvan. I’m afraid you’ve got a poor partner. I’ll never be able to do this properly before the ball.”
He tightens his grip on my body and my hand. “Then, do you believe you will be able to hold on?”
“Hold… on?”
Without answering, he picks up his pace, swirling and spinning as he holds me tightly, pulling me so close that my chest is pressed against his. His masculine scent surrounds me. My heart hammers, and his beats against mine in almost perfect synchrony.
He smiles as we dance. Even though I’m merely standing on his feet while he moves, I am breathless, and I cannot stop smiling back at him.
