Aysha sighed softly to herself and watched Craytia mingling with the other nobles. She felt uncomfortable. She knew she didn't belong here.

Kill her now and take her place before the Trials.

Aysha couldn't possibly go through with it...or could she? She shook her head, banishing such a thought. She and Cryatia had already been in a scuffle when they first met and it hadn't ended

Manipulation wasn't uncommon in the inner circle nobles. Everyone was always grasping to well. In a fight, Aysha knew quite well that she would lose immediately. On top of that, she had no right to trust the old man's words. He may have said those things simply to rile her up.

reach the top. To be at the top and to hold all the power.

Aysha caught Craytia's eye as Craytia beckoned her with a mischievous glint in her eyes. A smirk was on her face as Aysha trudged toward her.

What does she want with me?

"Yes?"

Craytia took the champagne out of Aysha's hand and dropped it on the serving tray of a nearby waiter.

"Dance with me."

Aysha's mouth parted slightly in shock. Dance? She didn't know how to dance and she was sure that she'd make a fool of herself.

Aysha shook her head. "I don't know how to."

Her eyes were wide as her gaze darted to each person in the room making sure their attention wasn't on her. Craytia carried Aysha's arm and put it on her shoulder. Craytia's arm went on Aysha's waist as their free arms joined together, hand in hand. Craytia, thankfully, moved slowly. Aysha looked down counting each step, careful not to make a single mistake.

Craytia whispered in her ear, "Relax and just dance. Don't think so much." Her voice sent chills down Aysha's spine.

Aysha stared into Craytia's green eyes and all she saw was herself.

"Relax Aysha."

Aysha had to admit, she enjoyed the way Craytia said her name. She closed her eyes and did as she was told. She cleared her mind and relaxed. She listened to the sounds of conversations throughout the room and the music. She let her body move to the rhythm of the music along with Craytia. She let everything go and opened her eyes to see Craytia staring at her with a bright smile on her face. They moved and spun, their movements as smooth as silk.

People moved out of their way forming a circle around them. Aysha was too engrossed in her actions to notice or care. The only thing that mattered in the moment was the feeling of Craytia's callused hands on hers. The way that everything seemed to be perfect. Beautifully and utterly perfect. During this moment, Aysha was able to forget the old man's words of killing Craytia and her plans for overtaking Orenda.

She could forget it all.

Craytia spun Aysha round and round and round before dipping her, her arm tightly holding onto Aysha's waist and their faces inches apart.

Cheers and applause rose all around them.

Aysha finally snapped out of her trance and once again saw that look on Craytia's face. That look that could make you freeze on the spot from fear and wonder.

Craytia had a sly smirk on her face and her attention was completely focused on Aysha. She eyed Aysha, almost hungrily, in a predatory way. Yet, the way she would move and act made you want to stop still and look, just take a tiny look to see what she'd do. Would it be different from before or the same? Just one look was all you needed. And in that one look, the viper would smile at you, like a hunter would smile at a trapped piece of prey. She'd smile and you'd be dead without even knowing it.

Aysha left Craytia's arms and watched her warily. She honestly hadn't been expecting any of that. She knew that she had to be prepared for as much as possible, but how could you be prepared for something you never knew could happen?

Craytia flashed her stunning smile at a few more of the partygoers before leaving, Aysha following behind her.

Aysha couldn't lie though, every single moment of that dance of being with Craytia and Craytia only had been breathtaking.