“I thought perhaps you might need a friend.” She sighed. “I know how Aiden can be. And after what you went through,”—she paused to grasp my hands in her own.—“I just wanted you to know you’re safe here. A few of my dancers came from terrible situations and found their peace and a family in my club. You’re not alone.”
A lump suddenly swelled in my throat at her words and unexpected kindness.
I wasn’t alone. Not physically. But in allies? Safety?
Yes. I was very much alone. Melaena would make an excellent ally and resource, but I couldn’t afford friends in this life. Even if the risk felt worth it at the moment.
I squeezed her fingers. “Thank you, Melaena. I hope I can repay your kindness and generosity one day.”
She squeezed back before letting go. “There is no debt in true kindness. Now, go try that dress on. It looks like the perfect size, and the colors will complement your eyes and skin tone.”
“Are you sure?” I asked, my fingers already reaching for the violet dress I’d grasped.
“Absolutely. Join the rest of us as soon as you’re ready.” She smiled at me over her shoulder before closing the door behind her.
I quickly stripped out of my dirty clothes and boots and kicked them into a corner. I pulled the dress over my head, and it floated down my body like a glittering purple cloud. Cinching the laces in the back tightened the gown around my frame like it was made for it.
I stepped in front of a floor-length mirror, swallowing a gasp. Gossamer sleeves swished down to my elbow. The dress fell in layers to my knees, barely opaque enough to cover my skin from my breasts to my thighs. It turned my body into an illusion, a mystery.
Excitement swirled low in my belly, and I grinned. This job had just gotten its first perk.
I eyed the doors at either end of the room. Would anyone notice me roaming the halls? I could find that sitting room again and try to discover the entrance to the tunnel. But it would have to wait until after rehearsal.
Deciding to leave the room barefoot as I’d seen the other dancers, I padded back to the stage.
Holy Four, don’t let me fall on my face.
Two hours later, I was certain Melaena regretted agreeing to let me dance with her. Sweat stained the lovely silk that clung to my body as I completed what felt like the thousandth spin.
Melaena watched me with her brow furrowed. “You’re still wobbling a bit. And your arms need to float about as if weightless. When you hold the dancing silks, they need to flow like water. Like this.” She demonstrated the turn, looking as graceful as a flower. “Again.”
“I had no idea dancing could be this painful,” I grunted, trying again.
“You’ll thank me for it later,” she sang. “Don’t forget tosmile.” She flashed a pearlescent smile at me.
I bared my teeth at her as I spun again and again, my muscles burning. Years of training with Renwell hadnotprepared me for this. Fighting was about speed and power. Throwing knives needed focus and accuracy. Looking pretty was definitely not a factor.
Melaena had dismissed the other dancers an hour ago. They had picked up Melaena’s choreography in moments, their movements already beautiful. I had an excellent memory, but that didn’t equate to performance.
We’d spent the last hour going over the basics, as she called them. Leaps, twirls, sinuous arm movements, and hip flourishes.
I finally bent over with my hands on my knees, breathing hard. “How... how do you do it? You make it look so easy.”
Melaena gave me a playful smirk, executing a flawless leap just because she could. “Practice. I have no doubt you’ll fit in with the rest of the dancers by performance time.”
I groaned. “And if I don’t? Will Asher not look twice at me?”
“Oh, he will. Asher appreciates beauty because he finds security in the appearance of flawlessness. And what is more beautiful than joy?” Her smile turned serene as she twirled in a flourish of silks. “Find the joy, and he won’t be able to take his eyes off of you.”
I gave her a weak smile even as my heart fell. When was the last time I’d found that sort of joy?
The doors at the entrance opened, and a young boy in a crisp white shirt and pants scurried toward the stage.
“High Councilor Garyth would like to speak with you, my lady,” he said.
I stiffened, averting my face on the chance that the High Councilor would enter. Why would Garyth want to meet with Melaena?
The calmness on Melaena’s face rippled away under concern. “Tell him I’ll be with him in a moment, Elias.”
