NIGHTS OF HALLOW

’I’m lost in your eyes figuring out the mystery of you’ — Amzy_Bella

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Perdita closely walked beside Sthena afraid something might come out and attack her again. Sometimes she will peek at the quiet man beside her. He confused and overwhelmed her at times.

She had not imagined he will easily believe her. As crooked and twisted as he behaved, he still had some qualities that made him tolerable. Like when he helped her to silence Perkin and also helped her release Mr. Perkin’s wife from the warden’s custody. Even though it was Daemon who did the job, she knew that if not because of Sthena, he wouldn’t have helped her. She can still recall Daemon saying she should thank Sthena and not him.

Also, there was something else she noticed, it was as if Daemon took orders and approval from Sthena. She had brushed it off saying that maybe Sthena was higher in rank than Daemon. But then, there was something amiss in their relationship she had noted.

The silence between Perdita and Sthena made the distance they had to walk back to the ballroom become longer in the eyes of Perdita which in truth, it was. Running for her life, she didn’t know she was going deeper into the castle until she bumped into Sthena. Which reminded her, what was he doing there? Was he also exploring the castle like she was doing? She turned her head to the side to look at Sthena. She opened her mouth to ask him what he was doing there but never got the chance because they now walked inside the ballroom again.

Some people were eating and drinking while merrily chatting among themselves. Only a few were seen on the dancing floor swinging to the smooth and soul-lifting music coming from the corner of the room where the musicians were playing and controlling the music to the taste of everyone.

Among the people watching were Marco and a lady who stood beside him. Perdita noticed how the lady kept staring at her brother. It was obvious she was smitten by him. She saw the lady smile and laugh at something Marco must have told her. He was a smooth talker and conversing with people was not hard for him unlike her who sulks at staying or even speaking with someone for more than a minute.

”Do you care for a dance?”

The voice of Sthena jolted Perdita out of her thoughts.

”What?” Surprised Perdita blurted out but Sthena did not repeat what he had said knowing she heard him and her words only came out as a surprise.

He turned to look at her. He noticed her eyes had returned to their green color and looking at her in the many lights in the ballroom, she became more beautiful in her green dress that accentuated her great figure.

”I...I mean you must have someone else to dance with. Your partner might be somewhere looking for you” Perdita’s mouth moved quickly to refute the sudden dance invitation.

Sthena tilted his head to the side slightly annoyed that Perdita was refusing him.

”I don’t have a partner. Will you the honor?”

Perdita pursed her lips. She didn’t want anyone to take her first dance. Her father is dead, so it had to be her brother or no one at all. But she couldn’t tell Sthena this. She will sound stupid.

”Are you waiting for someone?” Sthena asked with a slightly irritated tone. He was not the type to ask or beg, he took whatever it was that got his attention.

Standing here waiting for Perdita to give him her approval looked unbelievable in his eyes. Was she waiting for her partner? Thinking this was her reason ticked his nerves off. And then came the wicked thought to challenge her to accept defeat and dance with him.

”I’m not waiting for anyone” Perdita answered still waiting for Sthena to maybe become annoyed and leave her alone. Just maybe.

”It shouldn’t be a problem then?” Sthena brought out his hand waiting for Perdita to place her hand on his.

Seeing the outstretched hand, Perdita became nervous and slightly annoyed with Sthena. But then, considering how he helped her countless times, she didn’t have the heart to keep on refusing him. It was just a first dance after all. It was not her innocence he was taking. She thought and consoled herself. But still, she felt a bitter taste rise in her tongue and heart.

”Okay,” Finally accepting defeat, she placed her hand on his and felt him clasp it with his big one. She saw how her hand looked small in his large ones that circled hers while taking her to the dance floor.

Sthena didn’t wait for a second more Perdita said okay and took her to the dance floor with a small smile etched on his lips.

The eyes of many followed them as they walked to the dance floor. The green-eyed lady who was the center of attraction and the unknown red-haired man caught the attention of many in the ballroom.

Regan was among the many people watching Perdita and Sthena. He felt bitter in his heart that he was not able to dance with the green-eyed lady rather he was humiliated by her. To think she refused to dance with him and accepted Sthena made his heart ache in pain and anger. Seems like he had lost to his half-brother, the king again. He always does and each time he left him with inferior things.

Marco on the other side of the ballroom saw his sister walk in with the...the red-haired vampire again? 𝘧𝓇ℯℴ𝓂

Though the man had helped his sister and had also indirectly helped him too, he noticed that the man was always with his sister. He should be happy. At least Perdita had someone other than him to rely on, but there was an unsettling vibe he was getting from the man. Perdita told him he worked for the king, but something told him it was not true. Maybe he was mistaking him for the king who came to the construction site again. Either way, something didn’t feel right.

”Who’s that?” The lady beside Marco asked him noticing everyone was ogling at her.

”Someone special,” Marco mindlessly answered still looking at Perdita and Sthena. He didn’t notice the scornful change of expression on the lady’s face because of his words.

The lady’s mouth twisted in displeasure. It was okay watching but it was another thing hearing the man she was attracted to since the beginning of the hallow ball calling another woman ’someone special.’

”Is she your woman? I wouldn’t be surprised” She said jokingly with a stiff laugh.

Marco smiled at Perdita when their eyes met before he answered the lady ”It is something like that”

The lady opened her mouth to talk but was cut off by Marco who forced a smile at her.

”It was an honor spending the evening with you. I enjoyed my time. I’ll see you, Miss Bethany” Marco gave a small bow, turned around, and left her side.

The music stopped and was immediately replaced by another one. This time it was a slow song that sounded rich and yet melancholic. Some people on the dance floor continued dancing while some left and others joined.

Perdita felt the eyes of so many people on them. More than being watched, this felt like she was hunted by a sea of so many colors of the iris. She noticed that people were not only curiously looking at her but also at Sthena.

Her attention was drawn back to Sthena when he gently placed his hand on her waist. Out of instinct, she moved her waist sideways. She was not used to being touched by the opposite sex.

Realizing her mistake she apologized ”I’m sorry. I...I”

”There’s nothing you should apologize for. I see you are not acquainted much with men. It makes it so much better” Sthena replied with a crooked smile that made his eyes appear smaller.

”What?” Perdita asked in surprise but before she could register the meaning behind his words, Sthena increased the pressure of his hands on her waist and drew her towards him. His hold was firm on her waist yet it was oddly gentle.

Hesitantly, Perdita placed her left hand on Sthena’s shoulder while the other was securely held by his left hand.

Sthena took the lead by moving a step back to be followed closely by Perdita. The next time he moved, he took a larger step forward than the one he took when he stepped back. He closed the space between him and Perdita with his body slightly touching hers before they started moving back and forth, left and right enjoying the smooth song as their feet glided on the marble floor.

Seeing Perdita’s shoulders stiff with a worried look on her face, Sthena lowered his voice only for her to hear.

”Don’t mind stepping on my shoes and move freely else you appear stiff”

Perdita’s cheeks turned warm. Was it obvious she was worried about that?

”Thank you,” She mouthed feeling herself get lost in the dark glacial red eyes that never blinked or left her green ones.

”What were you doing in that part of the castle I saw you?” In a bid to drive away the silence between them, Perdita blurted the question that has being on her mind.

That was one way to start a conversation, Perdita! She bit her tongue and internally scolded herself.

Sthena smiled at her. He pushed her backward letting his fingers almost slip from hers. He made her turn and swirl before he dragged her back into his arms, this time with her back slightly against his front.

Perdita felt his breath on her bare shoulders and heard him whisper in her ears ”What do you think one will be doing in that part of the castle, Perdita?”