Chapter 64

After Alastair danced with Alice, he continued to dance with every and any woman who approached him, leaving a line of heart shaped eyes behind him as he advanced.

Alexis felt those familiar pricks, that became sharper each time he took the hand of another woman. She wanted to be there, to dance with him, in his strong, warm-

She felt a pinch on her arm and snapped out of her daydream with red alarmed cheeks. She met the eyes of a swampy green haired boy, acne marks marring his face. The only thing that she found interesting about him were his black, iris less eyes.

"Agathus?" She whispered to the short boy who nodded with relief, as if glad to be known.

"Miss Alexis, you do know it's not forbidden for you to go down there and enjoy yourself", he said, leaning closer to her as he whispered.

"I can?" She asked, eyes gliding over the snack tables.

"Of course". She almost rushed away at his words, but stopped and turned to him.

"I miss your normal appearance. This doesn't really suit you".

He smiled melancholy and spoke.

"I'm glad you think so. I hope the day comes when I can stand as I am and be proud and unharmed".

Alexis felt angry at his words. Anger at the people who danced so innocently while standing atop of the corpses of such innocent beings.

"I'll make sure that day come soon Agathus", she replied.

Her appetite diminished, and all she wanted to do was distract herself from her emotions by stuffing her face.

Alright… it didn't diminish…

She grabbed the chocolate cupcake and lifted it to take a large, generous bite, but it was grasped from her fingers.

In fury, she turned to the thief and met scummy violet eyes. He took a bite while staring down at her with humoured eyes.

"I must say Miss Mage, you look stunning tonight", he spoke, his voice no longer annoyingly snobbish but forcefully seductive. Deepened purposefully.

Alexis scoffed, "right. I hope you have no plans that I don't know of tonight", she asked, trying to mask her anxiety by taking a sip of some juice.

"None at all, except, just one".

Alexis' head turned to him in apprehension, "and what might that be?"

He smiled at her nervous voice, leaning close towards her face. He breathed in her scent that smelt so sweet to him.

He wanted her.

"A dance with my Lady", he held out a hand towards her, knowing that she wouldn't reject him with all the eyes that carefully watched them.

She did as expected. Taking the hand as she was lead to the dance floor.

Dancing back in her world was simple, just move your body. That was literally it. In this world however, it wasn't so simple.

She learned it under Emilia's insistent tutelage, but it took work. Lots of work, and only for her to become an amateur dancer by the end of it.

She followed Dwayne under loud, colourful music. Keeping up with each step and concentrating so hard she didn't realise the beast that eyed her with misty eyes, closing in on her where possible.

Nor did she notice the pair of eyes that glared at her and her partner with such intensity they scared of anyone within five metres of them.

The dance came to a stop, she moved back to return to the crowd but the strong grasp on her hands didn't soften at all. She turned with a reluctantly non-existent glare to the crown prince.

"Not so fast. I want another dance", it was only then did she realise his flushed cheeks and dazed eyes.

"You don't look so good. Maybe you should sit down?" She said, pulling him a nearby chair.

"No. I think it's better if I get a room to rest in. Could you help me there and then leave?" He asked.

Alexis frowned at his words. She glanced back at Alastair, but he had started to dance again. He looked like he was enjoying himself.

"Fine".

They went to a side door where a butler stood and asked him to lead Dwayne to a resting room. The butler complied and soon she helped Dwayne into the room.

The door shut behind them, cancelling the music and chatter of the ball.

'If dwayne left than that meant that there might be no plan for tonight, except for what Alastair's planning. Whatever that is' she moodily thought.

Dwayne sat on the bed immediately after entering the resting room, eyes trained on Alexis who faced the door while contemplating whether she should go back or not. He stared at her exposed tanned shoulders, the nape of her neck.

Maybe it was the drinks he had, but he really couldn't stop thinking about her. He hadn't felt this strongly about something before.

Before he knew it, he approached her from behind, circling his arms around her. He felt her body jolt in an attempt to move but he wrapped his arms tightly, stopping any escaped.

"What are you doing? Let go!" Alexis squirmed, she felt a flash of fear at the possibility of this being planned so she wouldn't be able to save Alastair from what they planned to do. At such thoughts she started to resist harder.

"You're driving me crazy", he murmured, lips touching her shoulder repulsively.

"Ew! Stop that, this is sexua"-

Before she could protest those same disgusting lips smashed against her own. His hands pressing her head deeper towards him, harder the more she resisted. Her arms were roughly pulled behind her back.

Panic gripped her heart. She couldn't muster a spell or summon an element. She couldn't use that shadow magic no matter how she tried, she noticed a glow on the necklace he wore anytime she tried.

'Is that a magic repellant? Oh god! A-Alastair!' She hoped that maybe, somehow she could do some kind telepathic magic.

It wasn't a thing.

Tears spilt from her eyes at the sheer hopelessness of the situation as she was slowly backed towards the bed, which she was thrown down on.

Dwayne crawled above her, trapping her kicking legs with his own and holding resisting arms tightly above her head. He looked down at her silent tears with perplexity, an unsettling feeling stirring in him.

"Why are you crying? I didn't even start", he furrowed his brows.

In all his years he had never made a woman cry, not like this anyway.

"I-I can't do anything to stop you. I just want to go by Alastair", she choked out, her eyes red as more tears poured.

Dwayne felt irritated at her words.

"But why? I'm so much better. Everyone likes me? I can give you anything. That guy can't even give you any protection" he protested, he had never had to argue about this in his life until now, it was always so obvious to everyone. But then this girl shows up and everything's all messed up.

"No. No. He's way better than you! He's kind to everyone, despite growing up while being treated like shit. He isn't bitter about anything and has a heart of gold! He's a hundred times better than you!" She shouted at him.

Dwayne felt his mood plummet at her words, he wanted to show her just how useless his brother was and he would.

He grabbed her by her arms, dragging her out of the room, back to the throne room.