Broken Vows

Spring Ball

Rana and I rush through the garden to the shimmering orb of light. The pale silvery light swirls in on itself like oil and water, never mixing. The portal is beginning to close. I clasp Rana's hand a little tighter, and we smile at each other, both giddy with anticipation. The rush and the pull of traveling through a portal is not really something you can explain. It feels like warm tingling all over your body while an invisible rope is gently pulling you around your waist. I almost imagine it feels like being in love. I have never been in love, but I think that might be what it feels like.

I know it's strange at my age that I have never been in love, even puppy love, but I haven't; no one has ever given me those feelings of butterflies. Rana has been in love with a few men but never seriously. Who knows, maybe this feeling I have, this feeling that something is going to happen, perhaps that's it: perhaps she or I will fall in love tonight. The idea is thrilling. Books always make it sound so wonderful to be in love and have someone love you as much as you love them. I want to have someone to need you and want you for all time. That sounds wonderful, and while I don't really like the whole destined-mated idea, I do like the idea of being that connected with someone.

Rana and I emerge on the other side of the portal. The slight feeling of having our breath sucked out of our lungs has us stopping for a second. It only takes a moment for us to recover. I look up and see the soft glow of light coming from the garden down the path a bit. A tall elven figure is waiting next to the portal. His pale skin and large green eyes are nothing short of beautiful. His dark hair is pulled back in a low ponytail revealing his pointed ears. He's dressed in the most extravagant pail green silk suit with gold threaded embroidery.

"Your highness," I say bowing in respect.

"Oh, please, none of that, my dear Willow. When I heard that you and Rana would be here, I just had to meet you two at the portal myself." His voice is like sweet music. To look at him and hear him speak, it's easy to see why he is so popular with all the young ladies.

"How did you know? It was very last minute." I'm puzzled that he knew I would be here. I didn't even know until a few hours ago.

"Your mother informed me days ago," he responds as he smiles one of his more brilliant smiles.

"Let me escort you two beautiful ladies to the Ball. I can't have the most beautiful women missing such a party. Unless…" He doesn't finish the thought, but by the look in his eyes and how he's eyeing Rana like she's on the menu, I know what ‘unless’ means. Rana blushes and looks away, only making King Gavin smile darkly at her.

"Yes, let's head to this Ball of yours, Your Highness. This is the spring event, and we don't want to miss a moment of it," I remark coyly, taking Rana's arm.

"Of course." His smile changes from lustful to genuine, but I keep Rana on my other side as he offers his arm to me. I only take it out of politeness. I don't care how beautiful he is; he's not putting his hands on either of us. I will not be just another conquest. All thoughts of falling in love are gone as we walk towards the party. I just want to be away from his highness, so we can have a good time.

We head down the path and towards the soft glowing light. The path is adorned with little twinkling lights. They look like fireflies, but I know they are just magic lights. Any child could make them, but they are lovely as they slowly float in the air. The garden is in full bloom, aided by magic. I can feel the magic humming through everything. The feeling is warm and pleasant; it's something I have always known. Not all witches can feel magic the way I do. I can also see it if I focus on it, but right now, the only thing I want to focus on is the wonder I feel as I walk amongst the flowers and the lights. The roses are giving off the most enticing scent, and the giddiness I felt earlier about the Ball is rushing back as we enter the garden full of people. The band has just started to play, and people are beginning to pair off.

Before I can say anything, King Gavin sweeps me to the dance floor. I cast a pleading look at Rana. She just giggles and gives me a small wave. Moments later, his majesty has me spinning around the dance floor; it is fun. He is a beautiful dancer. I just wish he wasn't such a womanizer.

When the song ends, and I can get out of his clutches, I curtsy politely. I all but rush off to find Rana before he can stop me. I know he will find another pretty face to amuse himself before too long. I just want to make sure it isn't my face or Rana's. I'm just fine with him leaving us alone. I take in the beauty of the garden and the Ball as I look for Rana. The masses of floating lights suspended overhead give everything the most romantic feel. The tables of food are in an area of the garden on the other side of the dance floor. The white tablecloths sway gently with the slight spring breeze. I'm lost looking around that I don’t even see the man standing in front of me. I collide with his back. I nearly fall, but his strong arms grab me around the waist, pulling me close to him.

"Hello, my little Enchantress." The deep smooth baritone voice of Cadmus is unmistakable. I look up, and his deep brown eyes are dancing with mischief. I have no doubt he will be finding some form of trouble before the night is through. Cadmus lets me go as he smiles at me.

"So dancing with King Gavin, I see," Cadmus teases, knowing just how to irritate me. I playfully shove his shoulder, but the man is built like a wall and doesn't even move. He's tall, dark, and handsome, but unlike the Fae King, Cadmus doesn't really seem to notice or care how attractive he is with his dark hair, bronze skin, and angled features.

"I didn't get a choice. He had a hold of me and didn't even ask. He just started dancing with me. I didn't even get the chance to decline," I complain.

I know Cadmus is still a king, but we have always been friends, and I feel comfortable with him. I feel like he's always seen us as little sisters of sorts. Too bad Rana is so in love with him; too bad he's completely unaware of it.

"Well, I hope you have a dance saved for me tonight," Cadmus muses, tilting his head and smiling at me.

"I don't know. The last time I danced with you, you kept stepping on my feet," I tease, crossing my arms.

He just laughs. "Well, dancing never was something I was very good at; fighting is easier." He shrugs.

"You know dancing isn't that much different than that. You just have to anticipate and move with your partner. Here, come on." I hold out my hand and lead him to a less crowded garden area. The music is slow and soft. I take his hand, put it on my waist, and look him in the eyes.

"Now, just follow, feel how I move," I say, starting to move. Soon, he steps on my foot and gives me an embarrassed smile.

"This is still harder than fighting," he complains.

"No, it isn't; just feel how I'm moving and anticipate where I will move next. Soon, you will be leading me." I step forward, and he steps back on instinct.

"See. Just stop thinking so hard about getting all the steps right. Just feel it."

The dance lessons last for a couple of songs. By the third song, he is leading and seems to have mastered the art of not stepping on my toes. When the song ends, I pull out of his hold and huff a little, out of breath from dancing.

"I really need to find Rana, and I would like something to drink. I don't have the stamina of a dragon after all."

Cadmus holds out his arm for me. "Well then, let's get you your punch and find Rana. Thank you for the dance lesson; I should have had you teach me years ago."

"You should have; it would have saved my toes sooner." I giggle.

"Well, I didn't even have much interest in learning before, but you made the lesson interesting."

He gives me his charming smile, but I just shake my head at him; he's always teasing me and kidding around. It's hard to believe that he is a serious ruler of an entire species. There aren't many dragons left. Their numbers have been dwindling over the last several decades. The dragons even try to stay out of most conflicts just because they can't afford the losses.

We make our way to the food tables, and I see Rana dancing happily with a handsome young man. She sees Cadmus and me, and her smile gets a little brighter. I know it isn't because of me. I roll my eyes and smile at her shaking my head as we reach the food tables. A moment later, Rana has joined us and is happily chatting with Cadmus. I'm more interested in the food than their conversation.

Just as I am taking a bite of my tart, I see him, the most handsome man I have ever seen. He's tall and slender but still well built; his blond hair is even lighter than mine, nearly silver in color. The most striking thing about him is his ice-blue eyes. They are the lightest shade of vivid blue I have ever seen. My heart skips a beat or two just looking at him across the dance floor. I don’t even notice Rana talking to me as I am lost, staring at this gorgeous man.

"Willow, are you all right?" Rana asks me. She steps in front of me and breaks my view of the strange man.

"Who is that?" I murmur, trying to look around her.

"Who?" Rana turns to look, but he isn't there.

"There was a man. He was the most handsome man I have ever seen with the most striking blue eyes. Didn't you see him?" I ask, scanning the area and looking for him.

"He was dressed in black silk with white-blonde hair," I say, still looking for him.

"No, I haven't seen anyone like that all night," Rana replies, looking around for him.

"Are you sure you really saw someone?" Cadmus states sounding a little unconvinced.

"I didn't imagine him," I retort, annoyed he would think I just imagined the man. "I really saw him."

"Okay, well, maybe he'll show back up," Rana shrugs, grabbing a tart and eating it.

I try to go back to eating my food. I turn to pay attention to Cadmus and Rana, who are chatting again, but I keep looking for that man. I don't know why, but I just want to find him, to see him again. I feel like I'm being pulled to go and find him. I look around again, and when I look back at my friends, Cadmus is watching me closely. The concern is evident on his face. Rana doesn't seem to notice as she chatters happily, putting food on her plate.

I need to know who that man is. All I can think of are those eyes. I just want to go and find him. I put down my plate and don't even say anything as I turn to leave. Before I can, however, Cadmus has my shoulder.

"Where are you going?" He questions. I don't know why, but it just annoys me that he's stopping me and challenging me like this.

"I don't have to explain myself to you," I snap, storming off. I don't even know why I feel so mad. I don’t want him stopping me, but it isn't like me to just snap at someone like that. I think a walk in the garden will help me clear my head. Maybe I did just imagine the man. I don't think I did, but Rana and Cadmus didn't see him. Was this the reason I felt like something was going to happen? Am I losing my mind and seeing things now? Why do I just want to see that man again so badly?

My thoughts are racing when a smooth voice floats through the air. "What is a beautiful creature like you doing out here all alone? Pretty girls shouldn't go walking in the dark alone."