Familiar

If I hadn't felt the eyes of everyone at the table on me, I'd have ignored his warning and downed the wine.

So I grabbed a slice of bread, took a bite, then put the rest onto my plate. His lips tightened but he didn't try to coax me into eating more, not even when soup was served and I let it go back untouched.

They served beef roast for the main course. The sight of the whole roasted lamb made my stomach turn but it was traditional. The cook rolled a bread table toward us, since we had to be served first.

Fu Shao as the husband got the first slice and before I could decline he told the cook to give me a slice as well.

The centre of the table was loaded with food.

I forced a bite of salad into my mouth before I set down my cutlery.

My throat was too tight for food. I washed it down with another gulp of wine.

Luckily, he was busy talking to the men at the table.

A band started playing when dinner was over, the signal that it was time for the obligatory dance.

He stood, holding out his hand. I let him pull me to my feet, and at once 'La Vien Rose' rang out.

Qina narrowed her eyes and searched the guests, as if she was thinking of attacking the culprit who'd started the chanting.

When Fu Shao tugged me toward him, I stumbled against his chest as dizziness caught up with me.

Luckily, nobody noticed because his arms around me held me firm. His eyes pierced mine as he lowered his lips and brushed them against mine.

The band played faster and faster, urging us to finally enter the dance floor as the tables had been set up in circles around it.

He kept his arm around my waist as he led me toward the centre. To everyone around us it looked like a loving embrace but it was the only thing keeping me upright.

He pulled me against his chest for the waltz and I had no choice but to rest my cheek against it.

But could feel a gun under his vest.

Even the groom couldn't come to his wedding unarmed.

For the first time I was glad for his strength. He had no trouble keeping me on my feet during the dance.

When it ended, he leaned down.

"Once we're back at the table, you'll eat. I don't want you to pass out during our celebration and much less during our wedding night."

So I did as he asked and forced down a few more bites of now cold vegetables and meat. His alert gaze kept checking on me while he talked to Fu Heng.

The dance floor was filled with other people now. Qinli rose from her chair and asked Xu to dance.

No surprise there. He couldn't refuse her of course.

Neither could I refuse when master Fu, his father asked me for a dance.

After that I was handed from one man to the next until I lost count of their names and faces.

All through as Fu Shao eyes followed my every move, even when he danced with the women of our families.

Qina, too, couldn't escape the dance floor. I caught her dancing with Fu Heng at least three times and her face got more sullen by the minute.

"May I?"

I startled at the distantly familiar voice that sent a thrill of fear through my body.