Several people kept looking over at them as they walked towards a table. Maybe they realized she was completely out of her element. She felt like a fraud in her fancy dress and well-done hair, body lathered in luxurious, scented oils. The only scent she’d ever had was that of dirt or dried fruit peels stuck in her fingernails.
A table full of young men gaped openly at them as they walked by and took seats at a nearby table. Was she really so out of place?
Adrina patted Katsi’s hand before taking a seat. “You seem to be catching a good bit of attention. Try to avoid eye contact. You don’t want to tempt them with thinking you're safe to approach.”
Katsi frowned at Adrina. What was she supposed to do, stare at the table? Practically everywhere she looked, there were nobles staring at her. She took one last look around the room, catching a fleeting glimpse of the emperor on the far side of the room. Standing almost a full head taller than anybody else, he was easy to spot in his crisp, dark suit. Katsi sat, slumping down in her chair.
A servant came toward them, proffering a couple drinks. Katsi snatched one, eager to simply be doing something other than trying to avert her eyes. She took a large swig, her taste buds exploding at the sudden, sweet flavor. She gulped it down, widening her eyes at Adrina as a bitter aftertaste burned her throat.
Adrina took a careful sip and raised her eyebrow at Katsi.
“Blegh, that drink is sleet. It’s horrible,” Katsi said, wishing she could scrape off her tongue. She waved down a servant carrying a platter of sliced fruits and flat biscuits. She snatched a few things off the platter, shoving them into her mouth before fanning him off.
After chomping down the sweet fruits, she shook her head at Adrina. “How do you drink that?”
Adrina smiled. “It’s a mixture of cantilosa rum. Best enjoyed in small sips.”
“Or not at all,” Katsi said, pushing her glass to the middle of the table.
The music changed to a different song, and one of the men from the nearby table rose from his seat. Some of the other men seated there laughed while one tried to grab him and pull him back, but he jerked his arm free and wiped the smile from his face as he approached Katsi’s table.
Sands, Katsi thought, glaring up at him as he walked straight toward her. Adrina made no attempt to save her, but simply shook her head at Katsi as the young man presented himself. He gave her a slight bow and a wide smile. “Never before have I seen a woman with such beauty. I would consider myself an absolute fool if I didn’t take the opportunity to introduce myself. My name is Lord Feldarin Gavadan.”
“Lord?” Katsi said, raising an eyebrow. She spoke loud enough that the table of his friends would hear as well. “I presume you’re not even a king, then?”
The men at the other table turned their heads away, stifling laughter.
Feldarin smiled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “No, I am not a king.”
“Perhaps a prince?”
“Nor am I a prince.”
“Then I suggest you return to your seat and gawk at other women who might be within your reach.” Katsi pointed over to his chair, so amused at her own dismissal that it was hard not to giggle. Even Adrina had placed her hand over her mouth.
Feldarin worked his mouth for a moment before taking a step closer. Katsi almost shoved him away by instinct, but he didn’t move closer, and instead said, “I assure you, my lady, there is much more to a man than his position. I’m certain you wouldn’t mind dancing with me just—”
A massive hand grabbed Feldarin by the shoulder and firmly pulled him backwards. “Katsi Danan,” said the deep voice of Alyssad Malrabia as he practically shoved Feldarin aside. He never averted his eyes from Katsi’s. “If you would do me the honor of taking you to the floor for your first dance.”
Katsi rose from her chair. The fire of their earlier conversation still burned fresh in her mind. No, she did not want to dance with him. She pointedly walked around Alyssad and approached the wide-eyed Feldarin and grabbed his hand. “Sorry,” she said to Alyssad. “I believe Lord Gavadan asked first. I’d hate to be rude.”
Feldarin sputtered as he looked back at Alyssad, eyes widening even further.
Katsi didn’t wait for him to speak, but instead pulled him toward the dance floor. Sands, what was she doing? Her heart thundered in her chest. She didn’t know how to dance. Making Alyssad mad probably wasn’t an effective way to try and get him to share more information either.
Regardless, she felt too committed to back down now, so long as Feldarin didn’t die from utter shock. He’d finally snapped out of his stupor by the time they reached the tiled dance floor. “I-I’m not sure we should be dancing,” he said, barely even looking at her.
“Why’s that? Weren’t you just about to beg me for the opportunity?”
His forehead creased as he regarded her. “I wouldn’t say beg. Persuade, perhaps. But that was before I realized His Royal Highness wanted to dance with you.”
“Whatever. Just show me how to dance,” Katsi said, looking at the other dancers, dread welling in her stomach as she watched them. This was far too intricate. No special talent for learning quickly was going to save her.
“Show you?”
“Yes, I haven’t danced before.”
“Rocks.” He shook his head.
“Where’d all that confidence go that you had earlier?” Katsi grabbed his hands again, trying to hold them the same way that other dancers were. “Of all the hundreds of men in this room, only you and the emperor have asked me to dance. That sure says enough, doesn’t it?”
He smiled. “True enough.” He raised their hands. “Follow my lead. We’ll take it slow.” He swayed to the side, then to the other. Katsi moved with him, gritting her teeth at the awkward movements. She knew she probably looked as graceful as a pile of rocks, but then she pictured a tree, blowing in a strong breeze, the branches and leaves waving in a steady rhythm. Then Feldarin started to turn, and she kept with him, catching on to the way the music beat in time. It was soothing in a way she hadn’t expected.
“We’ll try a spin,” Feldarin said, letting go of one hand and guiding her under his arm. She’d seen some other women do it already and had somewhat of an idea. She spun out to the side, then he guided her back in, taking her hand once again. He nodded. “Very good. All the fancy stuff the rest of them are doing is unnecessary. All that matters is to feel the music. Let it sing to your soul, and the body moves naturally. It’s one of the standard features of all humans.”
Katsi smiled, even risking closing her eyes as she focused in on the music. She understood what he meant, and the music truly rang within her body. It vibrated her skin and bones.
Feldarin gasped and took a step away.
Katsi’s eyes shot open, and she looked down, realizing what had surprised him.
She was floating a full step off the floor.
Feldarin ripped his hands away and stumbled back as Katsi dropped to the floor, looking around to see if anyone else had noticed. Feldarin wasn’t the only one. A handful of others all stared at Katsi with mouths agape.
“You’re a… a shaman,” Feldarin said, his voice a whisper.
Alyssad was there once again, shouldering his way past Feldarin, practically sending the young lord sprawling. Alyssad’s dark gaze alone could have murdered rangolas as he strode to Katsi and engulfed her hand in his own. “I’ll take care of this,” Alyssad’s deep voice rumbled like the thunder that presently shook the outside of the castle. He dragged her off the dancefloor as the word “shaman” was muttered among the other guests.
