A Dance.

**

I sighed when my stepmother urged me to accept his offer. I looked around and found that many people were watching. It would be bad if I humiliated him by rejecting him.

'A dance won't hurt' I said to myself. His eyes were still smiling at me. The mask on his face hid most of his facial expressions.

I took a step back and bowed. The music changed and claps filled the air as I placed a hand in his palm. We danced to my father's favourite song. Although he was not here, I knew he would be happy if he hear the sound in the study room.

I have seen him dance a few times with my stepmother. He was a good dancer I must say.

"I hope you are enjoying the party, princess Azrael," Prince Charles asked with a smile. I nodded and his hand held my waist. A cold shiver ran through my spine. I was irritated by this act. I stared at the bare floor for some time. "Your hand, please."

I forgot to place my hand on his shoulders. I did and took the other in his hand. We moved slowly time the music. He continued to mutter to me but I paid zero attention.

My eyes searched for the green-eyed man. If I don't get to meet him today…we might not meet tomorrow. I will be stuck with this blonde prince forever.

Another couple joined us and we danced together for some time. I wished the music could just be stopped. But didn't. The sound went higher and the dance became a bit faster.

Prince Charles was an excellent dancer I must say. He moved so perfectly that I did not find any faults. Unlike the others, I have danced with in the past. They would have broken my toes by now.

"What are your hobbies, your highness?" He continued to ask. I did not reply. I just stared at him like a fool. "Do you love horse riding?"

"Can we stop talking, please?" I asked politely. It was better this way. I did not want to walk out of him. It would ruin his luck for this season.

I looked to my right and saw ember chatting with the green-eyed man. He seemed a bit cold. His back leaned against the wall. And one hand went to his pocket. I wondered what they were discussing. Did she offend him? I knew Ember well. It was easy for her.

We moved to the left side and o could not get a proper view of him. I danced and looked at the right side again. This time, Ember curtsied and he smiled. His leg dropped to the floor and his back freed from the wall.

He walked to where ember was leading them. The dancing floor?

I almost fainted when his hand slid through her back. I looked away as their eyes locked. This was bad. I was supposed to meet him before the dance. Maybe we were not meant to meet.

I let go of prince Charles all of a sudden. Another prince was standing close by and I continue the dance with him. The frown on prince Charles' face made me wonder if he was the type of boy that wanted everything to themselves.

He looked like he lost all his toys. But I was not one of them. I ignored his red face and was confused about Ember. She was giggling. I wondered what the man was saying to her. It must have been very funny because I knew her very well.

She hardly laughs at jokes. Prince Charles must have complained to my stepmother about how I left him for another prince. After they finished talking, she walked to where I was and stopped me from dancing further.

"What are you doing, my dear?" She asked politely with her eyes searching for answers in mine. I sighed and looked around. People were watching so I lowered my voice.

"What did I do now?" I asked her.

"You left prince Charles stranded" She replied looking at him as if he was a child of four.

"Seriously?" I rolled my eyes and asked. "He is a child? Everyone who came here…came for me, mother. They have every right to seek my attention. Father has not chosen a man for me yet. I can't deal with prince Charles' jealousy. It is irritating."

"Sorry, my Princess. I thought you like him" My stepmother told me. She could no longer look me in the eyes.

"We just met," I said, moving a step back. "Let me dance with other guests."

I smiled at her and she nodded. Just as I turned, I came face to face with the man I wanted to see.

Cold chills ran down my spine as he looked at me. Those beautiful green eyes glowed and I wished I could see his nose. The mask hid them.

I swallowed hard as he bowed deeply. In my heart, there was a huge celebration. One to which nobody was invited.

"Pardon my behaviour, princess…" The man apologized. He did not know my name, which was very strange. I completed the sentence for him.

"Azrael" I added with a gentle smile.

 "What a wonderful name. It is my pleasure meeting you" He bowed and I ask for his name. "Azriel."

"Interesting" Was all I could utter. My feet were so hot that I thought they have placed a furnace. If god was a man then he was the one standing in front of me.

He wasn't a prince but he should have been. The lush, mother lode -dark hair he groomed so carefully had a ripping quality, a sign of his rude health. His only blemish was that he was beetle- browed and they sometimes knitted in frustration.

The Aquiline nose he sported complemented his prominent cheekbones. Handsome in an understated way, his basalt jaw and Spartan shoulders spoke of mighty strength. He possessed latent, leonine power and always walled with purpose and authority.

From the little whisperings, people remarked that his best feature was his entrancing, wayfarer-green eyes. Sloe-shaped, they could shine as bright as the green nature of the earth when they were alight with joy. At other times, two liquid-green pools of flashing fires.

"Can I have a dance?" He did not go on his knees like prince Charles. His pride was something I could not help but admire. Ember was coming our way. I wondered what went wrong this time.