The Eddis Grand Ball (2)

Aliana couldn't believe she had to dance with every man that was presented to her. She wanted to pick a few to get to know better and that be the end of it. She sighed thinking about how badly her feet would hurt in heels from all the dancing. 'She was already tired after eight dances.

"May I have the next dance, your highness," a voice said from behind Aliana.

Aliana whipped around and drank in the sight of Lord Samuel. He seemed so much taller to her up close. He held his hand out for her and she accepted it.

Aliana trailed behind Lord Samuel to the dance floor, she stared at his blonde flowing hair that was going down his back until he whirled her around into his bulging arms. The dance was a slow and sensual waltz

"Your eyes look like a hawk's surveying the room like that," Lord Samuel observed, his deep voice reverberated off Aliana's chest that was tightly pressed against his.

The Princess blushed and looked into Lord Samuel's icy blue eyes that pierced into her very soul.

"I am have been second in command of my father's army since I was 16," Aliana explained amused at how observant he was. "I like to be aware of my surroundings, even if it's a ball."

Lord Samuel looked at her thoughtfully."Not many young women can say that they can command an army."

Aliana smiled at him. "Neither can most young men."

Lord Samuel chuckled, it was infectious and Aliana joined in.

"You are quite stunning," Lord Samuel whispered in her ear. "I couldn't wait to have you in my arms."

Aliana shivered and looked up at the god-like man in front of her. He had an easy smile on his face but his eyes were smoldering, their light blue color glowing. She felt his drip tighten slightly on her waist.

"T-thank you, Lord Samuel," Aliana couldn't help but stare at him, taking in his entire being.

When the dance came to an end, Lord Samuel bowed deeply to the Princess. "I hope to get better acquainted this week with you, Princess Aliana."

A blush raised across Aliana's cheeks, she couldn't help but smile at the handsome lord. "I do as well, Lord Samuel," She replied with a small curtsy.

Aliana couldn't help but think that Lucien would have some competition for her attention this week. Samuel was only an Earl but he carried the air of a king and could command Aliana's attention. The Princess found an unoccupied lounge room and took refuge there.

~~~

Pryja and Louie found Aliana looking worn out as she fanned herself on a chaise. Her cheeks were red from dancing and she appeared to be in a daze.

"Aliana, there are some eager young men trying to hunt you down," Louie snickered.

Pryja looked at her sympathetically. "I know you're tired but you have only danced with a little over half of your suitors."

The Princess groaned, "I would rather go into battle than face anymore dancing."

Louie giggled and helped Aliana to her feet.

"It will be okay," Prjya said soothingly as she rubbed the Princess' back.

The trio walked back out to the ballroom and three of the suitors circled around them like hawk's zeroing in for the kill.

"Your Highness, may I have the next dance?" A black-haired man asked. Aliana had forgotten his name already.

Aliana nodded and grabbed his hand, the other two men looked disappointed and walked away.

"I am Alaric, Your Highness," the man with black hair and green eyes told her. "The Duke of Cheswick, in case you forgot."

Aliana took in Lord Alaric as he led her in a simple waltz, he was built leanly and his hair was a silky black that came to his ears, his green eyes were cheerful and bright.

"Thanks for the reminder," Princess Aliana said gratefully. "Fourteen names are hard to remember."

Lord Alaric laughed and nodded in agreement. "This is quite the way to find a husband is it not?" His eyes sparkled in amusement.

"It was all my father's doing," Aliana said. "I wanted a choice so he gave me many."

"I am happy to be one of the contenders," Lord Alaric said warmly.

Aliana smiled at him and the warmth that came from him. Lord Alaric seemed to be a very kind man with an even temper.

He bowed to her when the dance ended and grabbed her hand to kiss it. When his warm lips pressed on her hand she blushed. Aliana curtsied and walked away from Lord Alaric.

As Aliana left the dance floor she bumped into a rather solid chest, she looked up in surprise and saw Lord Lucien standing over her with a lazy smile.

"Princess, dance with me," Lucien said as he grabbed her hand to lead her back to the dance floor. Before she could say anything he had her dancing a passionate and provocative waltz with him.

"It's been a while, Luci," Aliana murmured as he held her tightly in his arms.

Lucien chuckled at hearing his old nickname. "It has Ali, last time I saw you, you were 14 and very angry all the time."

"You would never let me lose a sparring match with you," Aliana huffed. "You always went easy on me."

"I was four years older and about ninety pounds heavier," Lucien whispered in her ear. "It wouldn't have been a fair fight." Aliana shivered and looked up into Lucien's intense green eyes.

"What about now?" Aliana challenged. "Would you still go easy on me?"

Amusement danced in Lucien's eyes and he shook his head. "You want to set up a time to spar?" Lucien retorted. "I promise I won't let you win easily."

Aliana blushed, he had become so much more handsome than when he was a teenager. Lucien towered over her and was easily double her weight. She couldn't wait to try to best him in a sparring match.

"I accept," Aliana said with a glint of a warrior in her eyes. It was hard for her to back down from a fight.

Lucien clutched her tighter to him. "I knew you couldn't resist," he said playfully.

"You still know me well, Lucien," Aliana said huskily. Lucien devoured her with his eyes and gave her a smirk.

"How could I not?" Lucien murmured. "You're hard to forget."

Aliana stared at him and bit her lip. Lucien sucked in a breath as he watched her lip move around her teeth. The dance had ended but Lucien still stared at her clutching her in his arms.

Onlookers at the ball noticed the pair still embracing after the dance had ended, they began to wonder if the princess had already made her choice.