I smiled, raising an eyebrow.
“It is a cleaning agent made with an herb my grandmother used to grow. I use it in the training hall. Reminds me of home.”
“And here I was thinking you’d cleaned up for me,” I teased.
Caelan glanced down at my gown. “Oh, I did, trust me. This suit is coming off the second this thing is over.”
I blushed, and warmth flowed through me. For once, I agreed with the sentiment. I did feel gorgeous. The girls had outdone themselves. The silken blue gown featured a flowing skirt that draped gracefully to the floor. The elegant neckline swept across my chest, the fitted bodice transforming me into someone that I didn't recognize.
“Ready?” Caelan asked, offering his arm.
My mouth curved upward. Maybe this wouldn’t be bad.
“As I’ll ever be.”
The ballroom was justas I remembered it, though the ambiance was vastly different. It was three stories high with an ornate balcony that looked down over the ballroom floor. A grand staircase of marble and gold rails made for quite a spectacle. When we arrived at the top of the stairs, I could see the rest of the student body seated at the dining tables below. A grand piano sat in the corner and a man played a beautiful melody. It filled the ballroom, pulling me into the ambiance of elegance and grace. Some of the other couples were already descending the grand staircase and to the floor.
Caelan glanced at me and whispered, “Nervous?”
“A bit.”
He chuckled and patted my arm, which was hooked into his. “If you feel as if you might fall, just hang on.”
Now all my attention was on my shoes. Falling was now a genuine concern. Damn it, Isabella. She hadn’t mentioned all these stairs. She convinced me to wear these flip flops with sticks on the bottom. She called them Louis something. I tightened my grip on Caelan’s arm. If I fell into the ballroom, I was going to blame her entirely.
When we were next, everyone turned to us. We descended slowly and steadily, Caelan keeping his grip on me firm but gentle. Whispers and a quiet hush came over the room as we reached the bottom.
I leaned over to Caelan. “Why are they all whispering?”
“I imagine it is because of how beautiful you look,” he said, using his gaze to indicate my dress.
I gave a silent, “oh,” but I wasn’t convinced. They were probably whispering terrible things about all the men I’dseduced. Finally, we arrived at the bottom of the stairs without injury, and Caelan guided me to my seat. I sat in the chair he pulled out for me, having never been this grateful to have been seated before in my life. He pushed it in, and I placed my hands in my lap. I quietly focused my attention on the other couples descending the grand staircase.
At the top of the stairs I saw Blake and Roslyn descending arm in arm. I raised an eyebrow. What were they to each other? Her expression was unreadable. Soon after, I saw Malakai enter with Saryna at his arm. She was stunning in a bright, ruby-colored dress that hugged every curve just the right way but her smile was plastered on her face, and the makeup didn’t hide the red splotches under her eyes. There were only a few couples left. Where was Isabella and her mystery man?
Dinner was served, and I tried to engage in the pleasantries with Caelan and his friends, but I couldn't help but glance sideways at Roslyn and Blake at a nearby table. She nodded politely as she spoke with Adept Corinya. Her hands were motioning frequently, and I wondered if she might accidentally smack Roslyn at some point, though Roslyn was much taller than her. Her face was in a near constant expression of laughter, and I could only imagine the inane conversation Roslyn was being subjected to. The woman’s wide smile was outlined in bright red lipstick, and I glared at her, waiting for her to take a breath so Roslyn could look away. Finally, I made eye contact and gave her the most intense look I could muster. I glanced at Blake quickly, then to her with an eyebrow raised, and shrugged my shoulders. She rolled her eyes before returning a plastered smile to the oblivious talking head and subtly lifted her finger at her side. I pouted inwardly, knowing what she’d meant—later.
After dinner, the Aurkai and their partners were invited to the floor for the first dance. Caelan took my hand and expertlyled me to the dance floor. He took my waist, placed my hand on his shoulder, and twirled me in a graceful waltz.
“Where did you learn to dance like this?” I asked.
“I only learned recently,” he admitted.
I pursed my lips in mock exaggeration. “I don’t believe it.”
He smirked. “I could not bring you to a ball without having some moves, could I? My grandmother taught me to dance when I was a child. She still makes me dance with her when I see her.”
“That’s sweet,” I said. “She taught you well. I have no idea what we’re doing; I’m just going where you tell me to!”
“Then I must be doing something right,” he said.
His smile was charming and put me at ease. I may not have survived this past semester without him. “I’m grateful for your friendship. Thank you for inviting me tonight. I don’t know that anyone else would have.”
He gave me a sardonic look. “Did you not see the student body's reaction when you descended those stairs?”
I tried to stifle the shudder coming over me. “That wasn’t because they like me.”
“You are right. It is how crowds react to stunningly beautiful people.”
