Chapter 13 : Dance with Danger

**Chapter 13: A Dance with Danger**

The night air was crisp as Alina and her team arrived at the Lunar Blossom Festival, a grand event hosted in the floating city of Astra Noctis. Paper lanterns floated in the sky, casting a warm glow over the marketplace, and the scent of spiced wine and sweet pastries filled the air. Music played in the background as elegantly dressed figures wove through the crowd.

Rowan let out a dramatic sigh. "Finally! A break from all the running, fighting, and accidental floating. I deserve this."

Zephyr smirked. "Try not to cause trouble."

Cassian, ever the strategist, eyed the surroundings. "Stay alert. If this city is as influential as they say, then we're bound to attract *someone's* attention."

Alina was already admiring the spectacle. "It's beautiful. Let's just enjoy it for now."

Little did they know, trouble was already waiting.

---

### **A Mysterious Invitation**

As they explored the festival, a masked noblewoman approached them, her emerald-green gown shimmering under the lantern lights. She held out a sealed envelope to Alina.

"The Lady of Moonlit Veil requests your presence at tonight's masquerade ball."

Rowan's eyes sparkled. "A masquerade? Oh, I *love* this already."

Alina took the invitation and looked at her team. "Looks like we're going to a ball."

Cassian sighed. "I *knew* this wasn't just a normal festival."

---

### **The Masquerade and the Prince**

Dressed in elegant attire, Alina and her companions arrived at the Moonlit Palace, where the ball was being held. The grand hall was lined with silver chandeliers, a polished marble floor, and guests in elaborate masks.

As soon as they stepped in, Alina felt a pair of intense eyes on her. Turning, she locked eyes with a tall man dressed in black and gold, his mask hiding most of his face. He exuded an aura of mystery and power.

He strode toward her, offering his hand. "Would you grant me this dance?"

Rowan nudged her. "Ohhh, this is getting interesting."

Alina hesitated, then placed her hand in his. "Why not?"

As they danced, he spoke in a deep, smooth voice. "I have heard whispers of a girl with all elemental affinities. A rarity, even in this world."

Alina's heart skipped a beat. "And who might you be?"

He leaned in slightly. "Prince Kael of the Obsidian Dynasty. And you, my dear, are far more intriguing than any legend."

Before Alina could respond, a crash sounded from the balcony above.

---

### **An Unwanted Guest**

A man dressed in rogue attire, carrying an electrified dagger, leaped onto the ballroom floor. "Forgive the interruption! But I believe that *belongs* to me."

He pointed directly at Alina.

Cassian was already moving, sword drawn. "You have three seconds to explain before I *remove* you from the premises."

The rogue smirked. "No need to get violent. I just want the lady to return what she stole."

Alina blinked. "Stole? I haven't stolen anything."

The rogue gave a mock bow. "Then you won't mind if I *check*?"

With that, he lunged.

---

### **The Chase Begins**

The ballroom erupted into chaos as Alina dodged his attack, flipping backward onto a banquet table. Rowan threw a plate at the rogue's head, but he ducked smoothly.

Kael stepped forward, his presence commanding. "Enough. If you wish to challenge her, you do so by the laws of this land."

The rogue grinned. "Oh, I *love* a good challenge."

Guards rushed in, but the rogue threw down a smoke bomb, vanishing in an instant. Alina coughed, waving the smoke away.

Cassian clenched his jaw. "That won't be the last time we see him."

Kael turned to Alina. "It seems you have more enemies than you realize."

Alina sighed. "Just another day in my life."

Kael smirked. "Then allow me to make things more interesting."

He lifted his mask, revealing striking golden eyes. "Would you care for an alliance?"

Alina raised a brow. "And what's in it for you?"

Kael's lips curled into a grin. "The pleasure of your company, for one. And, perhaps, a chance to see where fate takes us."

Rowan fanned himself dramatically. "Ooooh, now *this* is getting juicy."

Alina chuckled. "We'll see, Prince Kael. We'll see."

As the music resumed, and the festival carried on, Alina knew one thing for certain—this was only the beginning of another wild adventure.

---

### **New Characters Introduced:**

- **Prince Kael of the Obsidian Dynasty**: A mysterious and powerful noble who takes an interest in Alina.

- **The Rogue Thief**: A charming but dangerous individual who seems to know more about Alina than he should.

- **Lady of the Moonlit Veil**: The noblewoman who invited Alina to the masquerade, though her true motives remain unknown.

**Chapter 22: A Prince, A Rogue, and a Very Bad Bet**

The night after the masquerade ball, Alina sat in an opulent guest chamber Kael had arranged for them. The luxurious décor was impressive, but she couldn't relax. She had too many questions.

"You're pacing again," Rowan said from the couch, munching on a bowl of exotic starfruit. "You're going to wear out the floor."

"It's just—why did that rogue thief claim I stole something? And why does Kael seem so interested in me?" Alina huffed.

Cassian smirked from his spot by the fireplace. "You're just now questioning why powerful men seem to orbit around you like confused butterflies?"

Alina threw a cushion at him. "You're no help."

Before Cassian could reply, a knock sounded at the door. When she opened it, she found Kael standing there, still exuding an effortless princely aura, with a smirk playing at his lips.

"May I enter?" he asked.

Alina hesitated. "Are you here for business or… more cryptic flirtation?"

Kael chuckled. "Can't it be both?"

Rowan groaned. "Here we go."

---

### **An Unfortunate Wager**

Kael led them to an underground tavern that buzzed with energy. The city's nobility didn't frequent such places, but the rogue thief had been spotted there earlier. Their goal was simple: find him, question him, and avoid trouble.

So naturally, within ten minutes, Rowan was roped into an ill-advised drinking contest with a group of burly mercenaries.

"Rowan, no!" Alina tried to pull him away, but it was too late.

"If I win," Rowan slurred, already three drinks in, "you tell us where to find that slippery thief!"

"And if you lose?" one of the mercenaries asked, smirking.

Rowan hesitated. "What do you want?"

The mercenary pointed at Alina. "She gives us a dance."

Alina blinked. "Excuse me?"

Kael's eyes darkened. "That's not happening."

Cassian sighed. "Well, now we have to win."

Rowan grinned. "Don't worry! I got this."

Rowan absolutely did *not* have this.

---

### **The Rogue Returns**

As Rowan slumped over the table in a comical defeat, the rogue thief from the ball reappeared, sliding into the empty seat beside Alina.

"You're a hard woman to track down," he murmured.

Alina narrowed her eyes. "Funny, I was thinking the same about you. Care to explain why you accused me of theft?"

The rogue grinned. "Because you did." He leaned in. "You don't remember, do you? The artifact in your possession—the one hidden within your magical space. It's worth a fortune."

Alina stiffened. She had discovered countless relics in her magical space, but she hadn't realized any of them were *stolen*.

Kael's fingers twitched toward his sword. "If you're implying she's a thief—"

"Oh, she didn't steal it knowingly. But that doesn't mean others won't come looking for it," the rogue said, his grin widening. "I just wanted to be first."

Alina crossed her arms. "And what exactly do *you* want?"

The rogue tapped his chin. "How about a deal? You let me have the artifact, and I'll make sure you stay *alive* long enough to enjoy this lovely evening."

Cassian scoffed. "Not the best sales pitch."

Alina smirked. "And what if I say no?"

The rogue chuckled. "Then I suggest you start running. Because someone much worse than me is already on their way."

---

### **An Explosive Exit**

Before Alina could question him further, a sudden explosion rocked the tavern. The walls trembled, and smoke filled the air as masked figures poured in, weapons drawn.

"Well, that was fast," Rowan muttered, still dazed from his loss.

Kael drew his sword. "Stay behind me."

Alina rolled her eyes. "I can handle myself."

"Prove it," Kael said with a smirk before launching himself into battle.

Chaos erupted. Tables flipped, glass shattered, and the tavern owner screamed about damages. Alina summoned her wind magic, deflecting incoming attacks, while Cassian took down enemies with precise strikes. Rowan, despite being mildly intoxicated, managed to hold his own by tripping an opponent into a barrel of ale.

The rogue thief, meanwhile, simply *vanished*.

"Coward!" Alina shouted.

"Strategist!" his voice echoed from the shadows.

---

### **A Narrow Escape**

With the battle raging on, Kael grabbed Alina's hand. "We need to go."

"We don't have the information yet!" she protested.

"No, but we do have new enemies who *really* want you dead," he countered, pulling her toward the exit.

The team managed to escape just as the tavern collapsed behind them, flames licking at the sky.

Rowan, panting, looked around. "So, to summarize: we lost a drinking contest, made new enemies, and our only lead vanished."

Cassian sighed. "Par for the course."

Alina shook her head, glancing toward Kael. "You still sure about wanting an alliance with me?"

Kael smirked. "More than ever."

The night wasn't over, and their adventure had only just begun.