GRANDWOOD CASTLE, KHAVENA KINGDOM

ARIELLE:

We return to the ballroom. The room was in much the same condition as before.The announcer speaks aloud: the next dance would be a waltz and my partner is a mere dream to me. I look around as the latter clears up the dance floor and stands across of one another, ladies and the 'men' in separate lines. I stand confused and rather amazed too. The 'men' step forward and the ladies bow. I still have no partner and I am confused. The men take the ladies' hands and the move rather closer than I've ever comprehended. They start to do the waltz box and I am still stuck between them. Suddenly, someone grabs my hand and hauls me to the left. I face the Prince. He gazes down at me with a direct look as his ocean blue smolder comes down at me and I am stricken with fear. I feel a connection fluctuate between us. He places his hand on my waist and pulls me closer to himself. "What are you doing?" I ask softly. He doesn't say a word. He takes me to the center of the dance floor and looks at my feet. I guess that he wants to dance with me. We start on the waltz box as we dance looking at each other in the eye.

He is using the left box step and I follow with right box step. He seems flexible and my eyes are drawn to the features on his face. I see the clear bone structure and how strong he looks.

He takes me into a salsa underarm turn and I am lifted up into the air a bit since he is like a tower over me. My eyes start to dart around since I am in a sate of fear. I start to shuttle my eyes around in search for a possible escape route and I pick up an open door. I decide to escape when there is exchange of partners. I swing myself away and run through the crowd to the outer balcony and breathe since I am breathless. I am totally beguiled by this Prince's beauty and poise. I don't know why I am afraid and submissive before him. I hear footsteps coming in my direction. I fix my dress and stand up straight. I hear them stop behind me. I await the pursuer to say a word but all I can hear is the wind whisper by me.

"Who goes behind me?" I ask with uneasiness.

I hear no word. I whirl into the pursuer's direction and my eyes glance upon the Prince. I whirl back to position and my eyes fly open. Why is he here? What does he want from me?

I slowly turn back and look up into his gaze. I start to quiver immediately and my heart starts to race. My breathing goes up and my chest heaves forward and back. His hand lightly touches my cheek and I shudder beneath his touch. A lot of emotions come alive within me.How does he activate such things within my body? He bows down and plants a kiss on my forehead, his cold lips touching the surface of my skin. I cannot comprehend what he actually means by this but my mom usually does this to me.

He then walks away, leaving me in question about his motives towards me. He is so mysterious and daunting to me yet soon, I'll be his property.

I head to my room in a state of anxiety about my future with a man I barely know and with the naivety I carry about men as a creation of Phanes. I wonder why he put them on this island or in this world. Mom asks me to rest and not think too much about it since tomorrow I marry Caith Saint whatever his name is. I try to do as she asks and I am drawn to sleep in the arms of my family. Ready to be sold to an unknown future.