The Dance Of Fire

Chapter 9.

He couldn’t help himself. After talking to John, he had to see her. Checking her schedule he received from Bruce, he knew she would still be at the dancing school. He went there followed by the rain. It didn’t take him long to find the tall brick building in the middle of a small square. There was no one at the door. It was already late afternoon and most of the classes were done for the day. Following the scent of roses and spring, he walked down the empty hallways. Noticing the light music coming from one of the studios, he kept standing hidden in the darkness. He had seen her dressed in white leggings and a white top. She was barefoot. Her long black hair was braided and reached her lower back. She was sitting on the floor. Slowly moving to the escaping notes of the viola. Rising like a flower in bloom. Her slim hands showed emotions no voice could ever express. Her feet made her body swirl. Faster and faster until you think that her body could fly. Eyes closed. Face so peaceful. Relaxed. She was so perfect. So fragile. Until her right leg disobeyed. Stumbled from pressure. Made the rest of her body fall to the ground. Nahara bowed her head in defeat, reaching for her ankle with her hand. Swallowing the pain. Making an effort to stand. Limping across the floor to get a bottle of water. Einar knocked softly on the wall beside him pretending that he had just gotten there. Dark eyes looked at him with care.

-I was passing by when I remembered that the school is in the area. I always wanted to see the place that got our money.-he spoke in a cold voice. Trying hard to hide the emotions in his heart. He was broken to see her hurt. To see her desperately trying to return what was taken from her. Nahara silently observed him in another expensive suit. He looked like a perfect businessman.

-Is there anything I can help you with?-she decided to stay polite to him. She didn’t want to hear any more warnings from Bill. He was still furious about her leaving their meeting last week. He leaned his back against the wall, not hiding his gaze at her body. She was slim. Trained. But also strong. Determined.

-Let me take you out for dinner.-he asked. He did it in a voice that told her it wasn’t good to refuse him. But Nahara has been listening to orders most of her life. She didn’t have to listen to them anymore.

-I have other plans.-her answer was ready.

-I didn’t tell you what date.-he made a small victory with those words. She put the bottle in her bag. She had no intentions intention of continuing their conversation. It was already causing too much trouble. Last week she was late to her foster parent's house. She didn’t want it to happen again.

-I will always have plans. I will always be unavailable.-she wasn’t polite anymore. He didn’t accept her rejection. She needed to make things clear to him. She wasn’t interested. She will never be interested. He saw as much in her dark eyes. But there was also fear. It never left her.

-Do you ever get tired playing the ice queen?-he asked in an amused voice.

-Do you ever get tired of thinking that you can easily get whatever you want? I have answered your question. So, even if you don’t like my answer you should respect it.-she warned him. And she was right. Einar knew that he had to step away. If he didn’t, she would consider him an enemy. But being rejected so many times by her. It made him more upset than he wanted to admit. He took a step towards her. Reading fear in her eyes. But she stood her ground. Nahara knew how it felt to be attacked. Beaten. Pushed. It wasn’t anything new for her. If he did it, she would survive. She always survived. Noticing rage in his emerald eyes, her heart told her to run. But her mind refused. She never ran. She will not start now.

-If you keep rejecting people around you soon you will end up all alone.-he was talking from his own experience. Nahara stood his gaze.

-It is better to be alone than in bad company. Now, if you will excuse me, I want to leave.-her voice was cold as ice. She wanted to pass him by but he grabbed her by the hand. His fingers wrapped around her wrist, holding her back. Nahara looked at his fingers on her skin. Her eyes traveled to his body until she reached his face. His eyes. Expecting to find hate. Violence. They were alone in the building. If he tried to hurt her, there would be no one to hear her screams.

-Nahara.-he whispered her name. -If you could just hear me out. Give me some time to get to know me. I promise you…-but her dark eyes stopped him. They were filled with tears. Slowly he realized what she was thinking about. He was holding her. Trapping her in place. And he had to wonder how many times she had been held like this. Against her will. By men, she didn’t want to listen to. Didn’t want to be close. As soon as he let her go, she stepped away to the other side of the room. Her trembling hands touched her forehead. Trying to stay calm. Trying to push away the memories that flooded her heart.

-I don’t trust you. You are a man. And I don’t trust men. So please leave. Go. I don’t want to see you again. Ever.-it was her only request. He had hurt her. It was not his intention, but now it was late for regret. Looking at her struggling to stay peaceful. To hide her fear. She smelled it. He gave her a bitter smile. It was the only thing he could do. He turned and he left. Promising himself that he would not return. But knowing that he would break his promise just as easily as he had made it.