Elias led Seraphina toward the polished marble dance floor with the grace of a confident man entirely in control of the moment. No matter what whispers swirled behind him, his smile did not fade away. The crowd parted instinctively as he stepped forward, his silver mask glinting beneath the ballroom chandeliers. Many turned to look at him again as his tall frame was imposing yet elegant.
As Elias offered his hand, she took it with a knowing smile. Her fingers slipped into his warm hands and her other hand resting against his shoulder as he pulled her gently into position. The music changed to a slow tune, the strings humming with sensuous tension. and they moved as if they had done this a hundred times before.
Their bodies leaned just close enough to suggest intimacy, without breaking propriety. The silk of her gown brushed against his fine velvet coat with every graceful turn. Their eyes locked beneath the glittering chandeliers, and the world faded.
"You are very composed, Baron Crestford," Seraphina said in a low and teasing voice as they turned in sync with the music. "But Cladria has not taken her eyes off you since you left your seat."
Elias's lips twitched faintly. "She is curious. But she is not the only one watching tonight."
Seraphina tilted her head slightly, lips curving. "Oh?" Her fingers tightened around his just slightly to offer a silent dare.
Elias lowered his head toward hers, so close that his breath stirred the stray curls at her temple. "You should tell your brother to choose subtler spies. The one dancing to our right is far too oppressive to not draw attention."
Seraphina laughed, the sound felt like warm honey, soft enough to blend with the music, yet bright enough to draw a few glances. She looked past Elias's shoulder, eyes sparkling as they caught sight of a tall man beside them.
"Ah," she breathed, her lips nearly brushing his cheek as they spun. "You are getting better at it, Elias. It is hard to notice them when they keep up appearances."
Elias's smirk deepened. "So he is here to sabotage whatever power I could get tonight?" Seraphina smiled once more with a look of appreciation in her eyes.
She gave him a look of amused challenge. "Could you stop him?"
Elias held her gaze as they swayed close. "Not yet," he said, his voice smooth like aged wine, "but I have a feeling I am getting there."
Their dance continued, sinuous and fluid earning glances from many. His hand on her back shifted just slightly, resting lower as they turned for a move bold enough to draw notice, yet not scandal. Her fingers trailed lightly up his arm as they parted briefly in the step, then returned to each other again like magnets drawn together.
"I must say," Seraphina murmured, leaning in, "we have drawn quite the audience."
Elias glanced past her, and sure enough, several pairs of eyes were fixed on them. nobles pretending to converse while watching, some whispering behind lace fans, they were either cursing them or asking about them. Even Cladria had shifted forward on her seat. her wine was long forgotten in the corner as her gaze intensified on them.
"Are you going to ignore her whole night?" she asked with a raised brow. "Or you are going to flatter her after insulting her?"
"I never flatter," Elias replied, dipping her low into a slow, sweeping arc. His arm held her firmly, his lips just a breath from hers. "I only speak the truth."
She chuckled as he brought her upright again, their faces close enough that the scent of her perfume wrapped around him. "If you keep looking at me like that, they will think you are already in love."
"Let them," he whispered, his voice curling around her body, "It keeps them distracted."
The music swelled, and so did the tension in the air between them, and around them when the song finally came to an end.
Seraphina leaned in again, whispering like a secret brushing against his ear, "I do believe we've just become the most talked-about pair tonight."
Elias smiled. "Then let's give them a reason to remember us." The moment they bowed to each other, Cladria was already there smiling sweetly.
"You dance beautifully, my lord. Would you give me a chance to experience it?" she looked at him expectantly as women never take the initiative to ask for dance. But this man had only eyes for his partner. if she waited, her chance would never come.
"Thank you for the praise, my lady but there was nothing special in our dance." Elias bowed to her lightly but the invitation she was waiting for, did not come. Her face turned ugly instantly. She had already humbled herself to come to him. What else did he want? He had nothing yet he had such arrogance.
"My lord, perhaps the lady wishes to dance with you." Seraphina hardly held her laughter as she watched the ugly expressions on Cladria's face. Elias feigned ignorance and then guilt.
"But I am your partner." Cladria's face went red with embarrassment. She had said so clearly yet he was hesitating. Wait! Just wait! She would teach him a good lesson. But she could not let go of the desire to see his face.
"That is alright, my lord. It is just a matter of one dance. And I need to deal with something too." Elias paused, his eyes flickered to the man dancing beside them and he nodded with a solemn face.
"My lady, if you need anything, you must.." he did not continue because she laughed softly and shook her head. As she waved and left, Cladria felt invisible standing there. He kept staring at the direction where Seraphina went.
Cladria's nails dug deep into her skin with hatred and desire to kill dancing in her eyes. But she smiled sweetly when he turned to look at her.
"My lady, may I have the pleasure to dance with you!"
"Yes, my lord."