The Silver Thread Banquet flowed seamlessly into the Midnight Thread Dance — the traditional celebration that followed every accepted Beta courtship. Soft music from crystal harps filled the grove as couples swayed together, their wrists still linked by glowing silver threads. In Beta tradition, this dance was never about dominance or possession. It was a public display of patience, tenderness, and mutual respect: partners moved slowly, eyes locked, hands gentle, bodies close but never forceful. The threads were said to carry whispered promises directly into the manor’s stone, strengthening the bond for the rest of the solstice.
Elara danced with Lord Rowan, their wrists bound by the shimmering thread. His hand rested lightly on her lower back, warm and respectful, guiding her in slow cir
