Aria's heart beat once.

Then twice as she took a deep breath.

Small geysers of light poured from the grass. Hot like liquid fire, they flowed up her leg. Aria's skin burned bright as the colorful energy drifted, wrapping like vines over every inch of her body. Then as a snake encapsulates its prey, it tightened. But there was no fear in her heart. Instead, she was... euphoric.

Every inch of her body trembled under the cold night kiss of the wind. All her worries and sorrows were gone. She felt light, unburden. Everything that normally weighed her down was slowly stripped away, until only she remained. Then everything turned to white fog.

The energy guided her right leg forward. Followed by the left. The wind brushed her body as it turned and turned on its own accord, basking in the vastness of the clouds. She could see nothing other than the merging and fracturing of light all around her.

From the mist, a figure cloaked in darkness approached. Aria's hand extended forward in an elegant stretch. Her stomach twisted. Before her fingers graced the night coated figure, it turned away, twisting and disappearing into the light. It happened again. And again. And again. Some had splinters of light, but still, Aria's hand would freeze, and the vines around her body would take her away.

Aria's heart beat once. Then Twice.

The mist burst with a vibrant flash of purple and silver. It pulsed until it mixed into the shape of a man. He approached one step at a time. He was both bright and dark. Fierce and calm.

The figure's hand extended, and Aria reached for it, this time, unafraid. Their skin's touched, and the air swirled violently, ripping the colorful light away. As the color fragmented in uncountable specks of dust, silver eyes fell upon Aria.

Her stomach fluttered as she starred at Elvin. Sparks of lightning ripple through his night-colored clothes. The fog parted, surrendering to his confident strides.

They both stepped forth. A breath worth apart. Their minds unclouded by if they should or not. Tonight, their hearts reigned over the dance.

The back of Elvin's hand rose and slowly slid down the slope of her fair neck. She gulped and a rumbling chuckle left his teasing lips. Aria's head tilted back, hazy caramel eyes still watching intensely as he bit his lip. Within seconds, he took her within his hold. Firm arms tighten around her waist as his nose lowered, gracing her pulse. He chuckled again, pleased as her heartbeat quickened. The waves trickled over every inch of her skin, setting her aflame. The heat spread, pooling in between her legs.

Need built within her as they moved as one. Throughout it all, his fingers traced her exposed skin— up her arm and down her back. It was always just the lightest of touch here and there. It made her skin burn hot with desire. As soon as she edged towards it, his hand would move away. She cursed the dress she wore, this time for not leaving more free for his long fingers to explore. She was at the edge, and she wanted to fall.

The light tightened around her right leg, making her turn away. 'No, I want to go back,' she thought. The cold night air replaced his warm embrace. As if responding to her inner call, sun-kissed arms slipped around her waist. She gasped as her back was pressed tightly against a broad chest.

She could feel him completely against her back. Every muscle and every breath.

Aria was overcome by warmth. A feeling of something more...

She longed for it for so long. Home. That was what his embrace felt like. She had lived in a large palace, surrounded by every comfort one could ever wish for. Yet, she never felt like she belonged. She existed there, for her sister, for those fleeting moments of happiness.

In this moment, she lived for herself.

A tear fell down Aria's eye. She was overwhelmed by it all. Never did she think she would feel something so strong... so powerful.

All motion stopped in their dance. Elvin's eyes saddened as he felt her sadness and joy. His hand came to cup her face. Taut lips kissing her cheek. His warm tongue slipped out of his mouth and slid where the trail of tears had dried. His head moved away, enough to hover over her lips.

Aria starred in a haze at his lips. They had plagued her dreams long enough. Her throat dried, and thirst began to take hold of her mind. "Kiss me," she asked.

His lips neared yielding to her request...

Elvin's muscles froze, and his eyes fogged. The light flashed, engulfing his form, and he disappeared into the fog again.

Aria's body was guided through more dark and colorful figures. Some would reach for her, but she would turn away. None felt right. None made her feel like... home.

She turned and turned. The world swirled around as she spun.

Then it all stopped.

The soft tapping of the drums blended into the sounds of the night. The mist froze, hovering in the air like time stopped. A gentle wind swept through, ripping the covering away and leaving only still bodies idling at the edge of the circle around. Amongst the giggling couples were Aria and Elvin...

And Estel.

The three stood like three pillars of a triangle. Aria and Estel both had their eyes on Elvin. His eyes, on the other hand, settled in between.

"The prince matched with two at the same time?" An incredulous voice sounded from the right.

Another scratchy voice responded, "But that is so rare... and for one to be a human. Blasphemous."

The splatter of comments kept coming, all eyes turned to the trio on the dance floor. They watched like vultures, slobbering at the impending chaos that was to erupt. Mainly, they watched the prince, waiting to see what he would do. Yet, he just stood still.

Estel grunted and broke the silence. "I suppose neither of us was completely right." The blonde elf cast an unamused glance at Aria. She wasn't startled by the whole affair, but rather, looked annoyed.

"What does this mean?" Aria asked as she shifted uncomfortably under all the judgy eyes. Anxiety crawled like a spider up her spine. Just seconds ago, she felt like she walked among the clouds. Now she was hurdly towards hard reality.

Estel was the one to speak. "That the circle deems us both equally as well matched for the prince. Rare, but it happens."

A weight pushed heavily on Elvin's shoulders. "You should not have entered the circle, Aria. You don't understand what it is for."

"I know quite well," Aria said, she was not about to let his brooding face scare her off. She knew what she felt moments ago. It had to mean something. Right? "I wanted to be matched with you."

With that, all her cards were laid out for him to see. She had said it aloud, there was no going back.

Elvin became tongue-tied. His mouth opened once or twice as he struggled with what words to speak.

"You overstep your bounds, girl," a voice rumbled as it grasped Aria's arm. Pulling her from the edge of the dancing circle. King Ollen spoke again. "You best learn your place."

Aria turned to the king. Glad to find a target for all that she felt. "And what exactly is my place?" She snapped. "Prisoner? Healer? Whatever you want to consider me, I suggest you let go of my hand. I am still a princess and will not be mistreated."

The king dropped her hand, but he stepped closer, invading her personal space. "Do not think yourself above reproach just because you hold my son's favor. Something, I will soon correct."

"That is enough, father." Elvin stepped between the two. His vibrant blue-grey eyes dulled as his face became unreadable. "I would never choose someone as unskilled and weak as my mate. The circle must have made a mistake. There is no need to make such a commotion and disturb everyone's night."

Aria bit her lip to stop it from trembling. His cold words stabbed right through her heart.

"Oh my, what a big commotion over a human girl," Aaron chuckled from the side. "Before you make your choice, may I have a dance. I can assure you, I am much more interesting than the posh prince." He winked.

Aria's eyes shot daggers at Elvin. It was the only thing she could do to stop her heart from bleeding more. She was so mistaken to approach him.... This is what he thought of her? An unskilled and weak human?

"Gladly." Aria gave the red-haired fae a false smile as she took his large hand. She was done with staying where she was not wanted. If Elvin did not want her, she would not crumble at his feet.

Elvin clutched his hand to prevent them from reaching out. Instead, he just stood still and sent Aaron a thankful look.

Aria's clutched tightly on Aaron's shirt as he guided her through the lingering bodies that once again returned to dance and drink amounts themselves. They stopped amid the jolly dancers.

Aaron's hand gently pressed against her lower back as he began to guide her through a simple dance. They swayed, back and forth, following the strings' melody that rang low over the clearing.

"He didn't mean what he said," Aaron added as he twirled her around. "He was just trying to get his father of your case."

Aria's vision drifted in the direction they had come, only to find Elvin again sitting on his vine-woven throne. This time a heavy cloud loomed over his crowned head. "He seemed quite sure of the words he spoke. Besides, I am sure he will enjoy the rest of his night with Estel." Aria hated the jealous venum that fell from her lips.

"The runt is quite adept at putting up a facade. But, I have known him long enough to see through it."

Aria's heart took a small leap at the trail of hope. But she quickly smothered it. She was done, she told herself. Done. "Whatever you think you see, it doesn't matter anyway."

"Would you humor me and play along?"

Aria's eyebrow rose with suspicion. "Play along with what?"

Aaron's hand lowered on her back, and he dragged her flush against his chest. With a knowing smirk plastered wide on his handsome face, he said, "I want to see if I can break the iron will of the crown prince."

"I don't wish to play any games." Aria rolled her eyes.

"But aren't you curious to see if his words are true?" His voice rose in pitch as he tried to lure her into his games.

"Why are you so invested?" For as much as she tried, she could not comprehend why Aaron was so invested in Elvin's personal life.

"Call it self-interest. The runt holds the attention of the female I want, and he doesn't even want it. Makes me burn with jealousy." His smirk softened. "But also, I care for the lad. He can be quite stubborn when it comes to his duty, and I am not above shoving him off a cliff as long as it is in the right direction."

"Estel was right. You are always plotting."

"So," — he lowered his head down, brushing his lips against her ears — "do you want to see if we can break his iron will?"

----.----

Hope you enjoyed it, it was a tough chap to write! Next, the climax of the night