A Dangerous Dance

Chapter 17: A Dangerous Dance

The room was oppressively still as Kaelen stroke towards the dining table, each movement smooth and deliberate. Red eyes locked onto hers, and for an instant, everything in the world simply faded away into an inattentive blur. It was there-an unmistakable heavy undercurrent passing between them.

Lysander's keen eyes darted from Kaelen to Evelina, and for the first time, she saw the flash of doubt in them. She could not tell if it was anger or something darker, but it quickened her pulse. Lysander was never unsure, not in front of anyone, least of all in front of her.

Your Majesty," Kaelen's voice, low and smooth, was the first to cut through the silence, his head bent in a slight bow. Formality far removed from the raw and untamed manner he spoke to her. Around the king, though, Kaelen wore his mask of control as always, the aura of danger honed to a finely whetted edge.

Kaelen," Lysander greeted coolly, his voice a smooth mask that barely concealed the undercurrent of tension. "To what do we owe the honor of your presence tonight?

She shifted uncomfortably, but her gaze never wavered from Kaelen as he strode to the head of the long table. The room seemed suddenly colder, though the fire was roaring near at hand. His powerful, commanding presence held dominion over the gathering.

Business," Kaelen replied, his eyes never leaving Evelina. "The matter of your kingdom's protection is not quite done." He turned to Lysander, impassive. "The threats you are facing are. more involved than we first thought."

Lysander's jaw clenched, but he only nodded, screening frustration with courtesy. "Of course. Your services are invaluable.

Her words said one thing, but the subtle tension running across Lysander's shoulders did not quite go unnoticed by Evelina. He was not happy to see Kaelen, yet he dared not challenge a guest in front of the other guests. After all, demons were their allies-whether Lysander liked it or not.

Kaelen sat down, and conversation resumed at the table, though a little awkwardly, the atmosphere in the air felt charged. She could feel the weight of Kaelen's presence bearing down upon her, his gaze pulling her toward him like a magnetic force that she was helpless to resist, no matter how hard she tried. She didn't dare meet his eyes directly, but she could feel the heat of his stare on her skin, like a fire that seethed just beneath the surface.

"Princess Evelina," Kaelen's voice came again, smooth and dangerously soft, across the table. "I trust your evening has been. enlightening?"

The breath caught in Evelina's throat, and her gaze darted upwards to meet his, jolted by the frankness of his regard. Gleaming in his eyes, something flickered and was gone. For a second, she had thought he could almost see through her. Her heart raced then settled as she regained composure.

"It has been. interesting," she returned, the coolness of her tone contradicting the flutter in her chest. She needed to remind herself this was still a game-a dangerous, complex game she had no real control over. "But I think it's time we turn our attention to more pressing matters, don't you think, Your Majesty?"

She looked to Lysander, hoping to dissipate some of the intensity of the moment. He nodded stiffly, but something in his eyes ran a shiver down her spine. She was always conscious of the cold calculation in his nature, but tonight it felt different-there was something almost animal-like, possessive in the way that he watched Kaelen and her as if trying to gauge the nature of the tension between them.

"Of course, Princess," Lysander answered, the temperature in his voice lowered. "We have so much to talk about. We shall not forget the alliance that had been forged with the demons."

Kaelen's lips slightly upturned with a smile. "Yes, well. The worth of such an alliance, Your Majesty, does not rely wholly on protection. There is. other business present."

Evelina shifted uneasily on her chair. Exactly what did Kaelen insinuate? Was he talking about her? She couldn't tell, but the weight of his gaze was a fire still that seared into her mind and wouldn't permit thought. Her engagement to Lysander, her life of duty and obligation-it seemed suddenly far away, like a dream from another world. The truth of her own desires-the forbidden pull toward the demon at the table-she could feel overwhelming and yet impossible to deny.

"Perhaps we should discuss those matters in private," Lysander suggested, his voice keen as a blade and with the weight of a command. "The princess is to be kept safe. Any. extraneous risks should be eliminated."

Kaelen merely raised an eyebrow, his gaze never leaving Evelina. "That is for me to decide," he said with soft, silent authority. "After all, the princess's safety is my responsibility, is it not?

The words hung in the air, and for a moment, Evelina could hear nothing but the distant crackling of the fire. Lysander's hand tightened around his goblet, his jaw clenched in a barely contained frustration. She could see it, the rivalry, the power struggle between the two men, both vying for control over her life in different ways.

"Then let us not waste words, if you will," Lysander said shortly, standing from his chair. "There is much to discuss where the security of the kingdom is concerned. Princess, will you join me?

Evelina hesitated. Her eyes strayed to Kaelen, and she felt the pull of his presence, the way he seemed to understand her in a way that Lysander never had. Intoxicating-and yet it terrified her. But she couldn't back down now, not when Lysander watched her with hawklike eyes, ready to pounce on any sign of weakness.

"I'll be with you momentarily, Your Highness," she said, her voice serene as it masked the turmoil. "If Your Majesty would permit, I'd wish to speak to Kaelen for a minute."

Lysander's expression darkened, but he had nothing to say. He inclined his head stiffly and rose, withdrawing from the room, thus leaving them alone.

It was then she could somewhat easily breathe: Lysander gone, but with that, it only left Evelina with a peculiar nervousness; turning to Kaelen, his movements static, as he stared intently into hers-so it would feel-as though an ability in looking right through. She had not felt quite exposed or even the vulnerability till that moment.

"Why did you come here?".

Kaelen's lips curled into a sly smile, the corners of his mouth lifting just enough to hint at something dangerous. "I came to make sure you understood," he said softly, his voice low and heavy with meaning. "That you're playing with fire, Princess. And you might get burned."

Her heart skipped a beat as she swallowed hard. She wasn't sure if he meant it as a warning or a promise, but she could feel the heat between them, a growing intensity that neither could deny.

"I know," she replied, her voice steady despite the pounding of her heart. "But I'm not afraid of you."

Kaelen's eyes darkened and the red glow brightened. "Good," he whispered, his voice soft and menacing. "You should be."

As if in the words that hung between them, the tension in the room suddenly blew its lid, Evelina knew this was only just the beginning of a very dangerous game they were playing.