‘Ladies,’ Enzo said, bowing his head. He had a fiddle with him, and Caden looked very pleased with himself.
‘Music,’ he announced, gesturing to Enzo with a flourish.
Enzo played a quick tune, the melody beautiful and sharp, resonating in the air, and Sonya felt a jitter run through her. She hadn’t heard music or danced in…She couldn’t remember how long!
Usually, Sonya had had to retire from parties early because she got too tired and the king didn’t want her to overexert herself, but sometimes, after she had changed into her nightgown, she and Elspeth had snuck out into the halls, listening to the echoes. They’d creep closer and closer, until the music was loud and clear, and they’d dance together when no one was looking.
Not in time, and certainly not proper steps, but it was always the very best fun. They weren’t a princess and her maid, then, just two girls, laughing and dancing, hands clasped as they spun and spun and spun.
Recalling those memories, Sonya was excited to dance, now. Kiri made Enzo a cup of tea, and he took a sip before he started playing the music.
‘Okay, what do I do?’ Sonya asked, standing.
‘First, my dear, you watch,’ Caden replied. He turned to Kiri, offering his hand. ‘Darling, may I have this dance?’ Kiri blushed, then took his hand. Enzo began the music, and Sonya sat close to him, listening and watching intently as Caden and Kiri danced.
The both of them were having fun, moving easily and smiling. Sonya watched closely, trying to catalog the steps, but it was harder than she imagined—they were moving so quickly! Dania and Butterscotch came in to watch as well.
After the song was done, Caden and Kiri took a bow. Kiri’s cheeks were flushed, and she held a hand over her heart.
‘That was splendid,’ she told Caden. She reached over and kissed his cheek, whispering something in his ear that made him grin from ear to ear.
‘My turn!’ Dania cried, rushing to Caden’s side. Kiri laughed, stepping to the side.
‘Sorry, Sonya,’ Caden said, and she waved a hand. Caden took Dania and lifted her onto his feet. ‘Watch our feet,’ Caden instructed as he and Dania began dancing. ‘Count with me. One, two, three. One, two, three…’
He counted aloud for the pattern a few more times before going silent, and Sonya continued counting in her head, following along. Enzo continued providing the music, a beautiful melody.
‘I used to do this with my girls when they were little,’ Caden said, smiling fondly. Then his movement quickened as he picked Dania up and twirled her around. She laughed with glee, and Caden set her down. ‘Now, can Sonya have a turn?’
Dania nodded, skipping away, and Caden offered Sonya his hand. She took it, and Enzo began the music anew.
‘Remember: one, two, three,’ Caden said, as they began dancing together. Sonya was a little stiff, but soon she got into the flow of it, only stepping on Caden’s toes a few times. Enzo played the music again, and they started over, until she felt light on her feet, more natural.
She smiled, spinning, and Caden let go of her hand. When she turned back, Azam was there. He swooped her into his arms, picking up where Caden had left off, and her heartbeat quickened immediately.
‘Azam,’ she said, feeling breathless.
‘Hello,’ he replied, smiling down at her. She was suddenly nervous, which certainly didn’t help matters. She forgot all her progress and stepped directly onto his foot.
‘Oof.’
‘Sorry!’ she cried.
‘Not to worry.’ He laughed, recovering from the injury quickly. ‘I don’t need all my toes, anyway.’
She smiled, relaxing a little, and then it was easier. She followed the rhythm, letting Azam lead, their bodies moving together as they danced.
One of his hands clasped hers while his other was steady on her waist, moving her gently forward and back. She loved his hands; she had seen them do so much. The way he worked his magic, the way he cared for his little sister, even the way he held her now. She knew how competent and clever he was with those hands.
Heat poured over her, like being bathed in sunlight, and she lost sense of everything around her: the music, the crowded room. Everything sharpened down to her and Azam, just the two of them, fluid like the waves of the lake lapping against the shore, glittering beneath the sun.
Their movements quickened, and she let him lead, following where he went, dancing and twirling until they came to a stop, both of their breathing labored. His gaze dropped to her mouth, and she felt her lips part, desire stirring deep within her, making her chest ache.
Then, the sound of clapping filled the air, and Sonya came back to the room. She had forgotten their audience, and she blushed, face hot. Azam took a step back, away from her. He lowered his head, bowing.
Azam was just heading back to the shop when Winnie entered, and Enzo switched to a dramatic tune. Winnie tossed Enzo a glare, then asked, ‘What did I miss? Why was Azam pink?’
Enzo laughed out loud. ‘You might ask Sonya that.’
