Chapter 48 #2
She turned in a slow circle, taking in the three of them—the slouching wolf, the smirking alpha, and the female who would rather spar than sit—and pressed both hands to her forehead.
“You are all utterly hopeless.”
Evelyne finally gave up entirely, laughter escaping her as she leaned back into her chair, unable to contain it any longer. Across the room, Holden shot her a look.
“This is your fault,” he snapped.
“I am not the one who refuses to sit nicely,” she replied between breaths.
Kaldrek shifted slightly in his chair, adjusting his posture just enough to mimic Aurelia’s instruction. “Like this?” he asked.
Aurelia looked at him. Then sighed deeply.
“Yes,” she said at last. “Exactly like that.”
He smirked. Holden groaned. And Evelyne, watching it all unfold, thought her mother was definitely out of her mind.
“Evelyne! A little assistance, please?” Aurelia called, her voice rich with theatrical urgency.
Evelyne did not bother rising from her chair. “Me? This was entirely your doing.”
“It most certainly was not,” Aurelia said, pressing a hand to her chest as though wounded. “This was Mother’s doing. That one is your mate.” She pointed at Kaldrek, then Heidara. “She is your dear friend. And he—” She flicked her wrist toward Holden.
“Is incredibly good-looking,” Holden supplied flatly, without the faintest trace of charm. At least he was acting a little more like himself today.
Aurelia stared at him for a long moment before throwing up her hands. “I truly cannot imagine why I agreed to this. It is your future at stake, not mine. Perhaps I should fetch Mother. She would undoubtedly be more effective.”
“I would rather peel off my own fingernails one by one than sit in a room with that woman again,” Holden muttered. “No offense, Ev, but she is awful.”
Evelyne stood up at last. “All right, enough. If we are to attempt this, we shall do it correctly.”
She stepped forward, clapping her hands once for attention.
“Cillian, you will partner with Heidara. Kaldrek—you are with me. And Aurelia…” She paused, glancing between her sister and Holden. “You shall manage him.”
“Oh, for fu—” Holden began under his breath.
“Do finish that sentence,” Aurelia snapped.
Evelyne turned, ignoring the exchange before it could escalate. “Spread out,” she instructed, gesturing toward the open floor. “Move away from the chairs. You will need space.”
Reluctantly, they obeyed.
Evelyne stepped into position before Kaldrek, lifting her hand gracefully. “We will begin with something simple. A standard court dance, one that every member of society is expected to know.”
She placed her palm lightly against his, fingers aligning with careful precision.
“First,” she said, turning slightly so the others could observe, “you offer your hand to your partner. Not like that”—she shot a quick glance at Holden, who had half-heartedly raised his hand as though preparing to arm wrestle—“but with intention.” She gently adjusted Kaldrek’s hand, angling it into place. “Then you look at your partner.”
Kaldrek did exactly that, and he did it so fully that Evelyne’s breath caught for half a second before she forced herself to continue.
“And you do not break that gaze,” she added. “Not once. The dance exists only between the two of you. The rest of the room might as well not exist.”
“Seems impractical,” Holden muttered.
“It is not meant to be practical,” Aurelia replied sharply. “It is meant to be elegant.”
“Same thing,” he said.
“It most certainly is not.”
They were already on edge with one another, and Evelyne had not even taught the first step.
“Focus,” she said, though a smile tugged at her lips. “The gentleman leads. The lady follows, but not passively. There is a rhythm to it. A conversation.”
She stepped back, guiding Kaldrek with her in slow, coordinated movements.
“One step back,” she instructed him quietly. “Now forward. Turn slightly—yes, like that. Do not rush it.”
Kaldrek followed with surprising ease, his eyes never once leaving hers.
“This is very unsettling,” Heidara remarked from across the room.
“You are meant to look at your partner,” Evelyne called back.
“I am,” Heidara said. “He just looks like he’s planning something.”
Cillian laughed softly. “I promise you, I am not.”
Evelyne pulled her attention away from Kaldrek from time to time to check on the others as she walked them through the dance step by step. Aurelia and Holden, however, had not yet moved beyond hand placement, and Aurelia was already losing patience.
“Hand,” she said.
He raised it.
“Not like that.”
“This is how hands work.”
Aurelia closed her eyes briefly. “Refinement, Holden. Try again.”
A moment later, she sighed.
“Better. Though it pains me to admit it. Now look me in the eyes.”
Apparently, that instruction proved too much, because Evelyne continued to hear them bickering.
“You are already failing,” Aurelia informed him.
“This is ridiculous.”
“It is not ridiculous. It is society.”
“I don’t like society.”
“I am very much aware.”
Evelyne turned slowly beneath Kaldrek’s guidance, her hand still resting in his. “Now, a turn,” she instructed. “Smoothly—do not drag your partner across the floor like prey.”
Kaldrek huffed a quiet laugh. “Noted.”
“Again,” she said. “Gentler.”
He adjusted and improved.
“Well done,” she said softly.
“Thanks, but I’d prefer fighting,” he replied. “But this…” His thumb brushed lightly against her hand as he guided her into another step. “…has its advantages.”
Evelyne flushed. Indeed it did.
Aurelia let out a sharp exhale. “This is hopeless.”
“It’s not that hard,” Holden muttered.
“Then why are you doing it so poorly?”
“Because it’s pointless.”
“Because you lack discipline.”
“Because I don’t care.”
Evelyne glanced across the room toward Aurelia and Holden just as her sister glared at him, lifted her chin, and tightened her grip on his hand.
“Well, you will care,” Aurelia said coolly.
“Because I refuse to be humiliated by you at that ball, and Evelyne deserves better. Now fix your hand and look at me.”
Holden blinked, then slowly adjusted his posture without another word.
Well. That was new.
Evelyne turned back to Kaldrek, allowing herself a small, satisfied smile. “Again,” she called to the room.
“Good,” Aurelia said, her voice softer now. “Keep your eyes on me.”
At last, the room settled. Movements slowed, voices quieted, and for a brief moment it seemed as though progress had finally been made.
Then—
A sharp crash shattered the calm. Porcelain struck the floor with a violent clatter, followed immediately by a startled gasp.
Evelyne turned at once. Holden stood half-caught against the tea table, one hand braced against its edge to steady himself, the other still raised where it had been holding Aurelia’s.
Several teacups lay broken at their feet, fragments scattered across the polished floor.
Aurelia stood frozen before him, one hand pressed to her mouth in shock.
“What in heaven’s name just happened?” Heidara asked, stepping forward. “Are you both all right?”
“We’re fine,” Holden snapped, straightening abruptly.
He cleared his throat, tugging at the collar of his tunic as though it had suddenly grown too tight.
“I believe I’ve had quite enough for today.
” His gaze shifted quickly to Kaldrek. There was something almost desperate in the look he gave him. “Alpha?”
Aurelia, however, said nothing. She remained still, her hands now resting lightly against her chest, her eyes fixed entirely on Holden as the others began to move, bending to gather the broken porcelain. Strangely, she made no remark about the ruined display—no sharp reprimand, no exasperated sigh.
“I’ll fetch a broom,” Cillian said quickly. “There’s no need to cut yourselves on that.” He slipped from the room at once.
Aurelia took a small step back, though her eyes never left Holden. He avoided looking at her entirely, turning instead toward the door as Kaldrek joined him. Without another word, the two of them exited together.
Please tell me what is wrong with him, Evelyne sent down the bond.
Kaldrek’s reply came with quiet certainty.
You will know soon enough.
Evelyne exhaled slowly, then turned back to her sister, who still seemed lost in thought.
“Come,” she said gently. “Why don’t we find something suitable for Heidara to wear to the ball?”
Aurelia blinked, as though pulled from some distant place, then gave a small nod.
“Yes… yes, that would be best.”
Together, they turned and left the mess behind.