Not even her own heart.
‘Come on,’ he said, flashing her a smile. ‘Let’s dance.’
28
‘Idon’t know how,’ Bisma said automatically, but that wasn’t true.
She did know how to dance. A few years ago, back when she snuck out to the festival dance to see if her poison on the village boys had worked, she stayed and watched, yearning to join in the revelry. She had watched enough to learn.
She would hum the music to herself and dance in the Enchanted Forest, eventually teaching her sisters, and they would all dance together. She missed her sisters with an ache, and perhaps that was what made her hesitate, now.
‘Please,’ Xander said, holding out his hand.
She lifted her hand to take his, but then she looked around at all the people who would watch and judge.
Xander stepped forward. ‘Focus on me,’ he said. ‘Just on me.’
So she did. With a smile, he swept her off her feet—literally—twirling her in the air, which got a surprised, delighted laugh out of her. People turned to see, but by then she really didn’t care.
They joined the group of people dancing. The music was upbeat and loud. The steps to the dance were quick, but she remembered them. They all danced in a line, moving their feet and hips, clapping along with the music, then spinning with their partners.
Then the music shifted, and she didn’t know the dance, but with Xander beside her she had nothing to worry about.
‘Just follow me,’ he said.
She was a quick learner and had soon learned all the steps, moving with Xander flawlessly.
‘That’s my girl,’ Xander said, twirling her, and she grinned.
They danced and danced until they took a break to get some drinks. As Xander went to get them, she sat on the side, waiting, until she spotted Haru, who was sulking in a corner.
She walked over to him.
‘Don’t be sad,’ she said, squeezing his arm. ‘Luna will be alright soon.’ She had told him about Luna taking the freeze potion the last time she was in town.
‘I hope so,’ Haru replied, sighing.
Xander returned with two goblets, handing her one, and she waved goodbye to Haru. They walked to the side as she took a sip of her drink.
It was cold and fizzy, tasting of spiced maple and sugared oranges. She had never had anything like it, but it tasted wonderful. The bubbles popped in her mouth, making her giggle, and Xander laughed, too, as if they were both in on a secret, which perhaps they were.
Standing beneath the lights, she gazed up at him as music played all around them. Everyone else was dancing to the slow song, but they were both simply standing and looking at one another. Xander finished his drink, watching her over the glass, and she looked at the long line of his throat as he swallowed, his tongue as he licked his lips.
She set her glass down unfinished.
‘Do you want to dance?’ Xander asked, putting his glass down. His voice was raspy.
‘I’m all danced out,’ she replied.
‘I don’t really want to dance,’ he admitted, eyes sparkling. ‘I just wanted an excuse to hold you.’
She laughed, feeling fizzy even though she was no longer drinking. ‘Well, if you’re looking for an excuse …’
She stepped into his waiting arms, and they started dancing, swaying slowly with the music. Her arms wrapped around his neck, while his hands were warm and steady on her lower back.
She yearned to slip her hands into his hair; it would be so easy. Bisma scanned his face, taking in every little detail as if seeing him for the first time.
A slow smile spread across his face. ‘You’re staring.’
