Page 30 of Embers to Flames

“I suppose I’m just… nervous,” I confess, my gaze flickering back to the dress that hung like a beautiful dream.

“Nervous?” Lenna echoes with a soft chuckle. “Whatever for? Their gazes will be on you for sure, but not because you are Human… but because you are magnificently gorgeous.”

I let out a sigh and rise delicately from my stool. Lenna assists me with the dress; it slides over my skin like a lover’s touch, settling onto my body as though it truly was made just for me. It feels as ethereal as it looks—like wearing moonlight or starlight or even twilight—it’s a feeling that I can’t quite put into words.

Ava holds out a delicate pair of shoes made from what appears to be crystal with woven gold threads. They shimmer beautifully under the candlelight as I slip them onto my feet—their cool insides curling around my toes.

Feeling complete now, I turn towards the mirror again. The transformation is breathtaking; I barely recognize myself. Gone is Rosanhi the servant and in her place stands an angel draped in red—the color of both love and war.

The grand hall sparkles with magic, the opulent ceiling shimmering as if mirroring an open night sky; stars twinkling sporadically. The room is filled with Elves invarying hues of colored robes, their laughter sounding like chimes in the wind as they drink and dance.

In one corner stands a long table laden with delicacies unlike anything I have seen before—fruits that glow like gemstones, pastries that emit sweet fragrance clouds and goblets filled with liquid gold.

Yet amidst all this splendor, my eyes are instinctively drawn to Theo. He stands by his father’s side, laughing at something Lord Ailwin is saying. As he turns his gaze towards me, our eyes lock and I feel a jolt rush through me. The smile he offers is so full of warmth that it must have lit up my face in response.

He excuses himself from the conversation and moves towards me, weaving effortlessly through the crowd until he stands just inches away.

“You look… breathtaking, Rosanhi,” he says softly, his eyes drinking in my appearance as if I am the most enchanting piece of art in the room.

His praise warms me far more than any roaring hearth ever could, and I find myself bubbling with a mixture of giddy delight and nervous anticipation. “Thank you,” I manage to say, my heart pounding in my chest.

Theo offers out his hand towards me. “May I have this dance?” His voice is gentle, the question hanging between us like a promise.

I place my hand in his, feeling an electric charge surge through our connected skin—reminding me of the first time we met. “I’d love to.”

We step onto the dance floor, my crimson gown billowing around me like a flame in the night and the world around us seems to blur into insignificance. All that matters is Theo.

The music swells and our bodies begin to move in rhythm as I allow myself to be swept away by the magic of the night.

A cunning voice slices through the melody. “Might I cut in?” The words sting like ice against my heated skin. I turn to see the speaker—Prince Ruvyn, cloaked in regal attire of midnight blue and silver, eyes gleaming with amusement. His lips curled into a smirk that bore no warmth as it stretched across his handsome face.

The dance hall seemed to hold its breath as Theo’s grip on me tightened ever so slightly. Yet, political protocol has already choked us both into silence before Ruvyn even spoke. With an apologetic glance in my direction, Theo stiffly withdrew his hand from mine. “Of course, Your Grace,” his words coated with reluctance.

Ruvyn takes my hand without hesitation and pulls me close. I look over his shoulder as I watch Theo back away and feel a sharp pang of longing for his warmth.

“You know, Rosanhi, no matter how enchanting you look tonight, you will always be an outsider in our world. A Human can never truly belong among Elves.” His voice drips with condescension as he speaks.

I meet his cold and unyielding gaze, refusing to be intimidated. Respectfully, with a smile and a hint of snark, I respond. “And yet here I am, dancing with the Prince of Elves. Perhaps your world isn’t as elusive as you think.”

He smirks, a hint of challenge in his expression. “Dancing with me doesn’t change your nature. You are still bound by human limitations—by human frailty.”

I lift my chin, my voice steady. “Maybe it’s my humanity that makes me stronger. We Humans have a resilience that even Elves could learn from.”

“Resilience, perhaps,” he concedes mockingly. “But strength alone won’t grant you acceptance.”

“Acceptance isn’t given, it’s earned. And I intend to earn it, no matter what obstacles you place in my path,” I declare.

He leans in closer, his voice a low whisper. “We’ll see, Rosanhi. The elven world is not kind to those who don’t belong.” He holds my gaze, “You are playing a dangerous game. One misstep, and you could lose everything.”

I lean in, my voice just as low. “I’ve already lost everything once. Fear has no power over someone who has nothing left to lose.”

“There is always something more to lose,” he bites back.

Our dance comes to an end not soon enough, and Ruvyn releases me, though not without a final parting shot. “Remember what you’ve said tonight,” he murmurs so only I can hear. “You might find yourself having to prove it.”

With that, Ruvyn strides away, leaving me alone in the center of the dance floor. The melody comes to a haunting close, the notes echoing in the grand hall as silence descends upon the gathered crowd.

Theo reappears at my side, “everything alright?” he asks softly.

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