The Burning of Sana Lightbourne

Chapter 35

Zena and Sana talked like long-lost sisters beside Rhyel in the main hall.

They spoke to each other as if it'd been more than one night since they were apart.

A smile tugged at his lips as he gazed at Sana dressed in a long-sleeved navy blue gown with her vibrant red hair braided down her back and tiny wisps of curls framed her golden brown face.

It wasn't until this morning when she burst into his room in her lavender nightgown that he noticed her slender curves and how well she fit in his arms. Sana wasn't a thin, frail woman anymore.

No. She was healthy now. Her brown skin glowed with a golden undertone, her hair was bright with a glossy sheen and her body was supple, soft and–Gods, he shouldn't be thinking about her like this.

They just had an emotional heart to heart, and he was ogling her like a ripe piece of fruit.

He tore his gaze away from her to the food on his plate.

What was wrong with him?

You like her.

Kal chuckled.

Rhyel grit his teeth as he cut into a thick slice of bacon.

Of course I like her. We're friends.

Our loins would beg to differ, brother.

Rhys teased, and Rhyel nearly choked on the bacon in his mouth. He squeezed his legs together to stop the blood rushing to the tattle tale between his thighs and prayed no one noticed the blush scorching his cheeks.

Shut up, both of you.

Rhyel seethed at the annoying rumble of laughter of his wolf and dragon.

Immature bastards.

"You alright, my Lord?" Oziel said, nudging his arm. "You're a bit tense all of a sudden."

"I'm fine," he grumbled, relaxing his tight grip on his fork and eyeing the boisterous soldiers from his uncle's calvary at the next table. "How are the new recruits handling the repairs on the wall?"

"They're fine." Oziel shrugged as he chewed on a piece of fried bread. "They listen and they know what they're doing," he said, through a mouthful of food. "The wall will be done by the time you and my Lady return from your travels."

Rhyel nodded. "There shouldn't be any more breaches now that Zena and I took care of that amulet."

"I hope not," Oziel said, wiping his mouth with a napkin. "But I'm going to do extra drills with the soldiers just in case."

"Good. I'd like to be involved with those."

"Yes, but after your etiquette training with Lady Sana," Loic said, leaning forward and piercing Rhyel with a determined gaze.

"We only have a few weeks until the festive season begins and you need to brush up on your dancing and how to engage with the nobles.

I won't have you embarrassing this House or my Lady with your gruffness. "

Rhyel chuckled. "I know, Loic, and that won't happen."

"It better not," Zena scoffed. "This is Lady Sana's debut and you're not going to ruin her moment by glaring and snarling at the nobles like you did the last time you were invited to these engagements."

"That." Rhyel glared at Zena. "Was because you and my aunt kept pushing every eligible Lady in my direction when I didn't want to be on the tour in the first place," he said, taking Sana's hand and his eyes softened at her wide-eyed gaze.

"But you are my betrothed and I will do everything I can to ensure your debut is perfect.

" He placed a kiss against her fingers. "I promise you that, my Lady. "

A hush fell over the main hall as if they were holding their breath, waiting for Sana's reaction to his public display of affection.

It wasn't a grand gesture to kiss her hand, but Rhyel was keenly aware that this was the first time he had ever done something like this in front of so many of his people, and now he worried that he embarrassed Sana with his actions.

However, a soft laugh escaped her lips as she squeezed his hand. "I never had any doubt of that," she said as a ring of fire burned behind her violet eyes again and made his heart simmer. "But I'll hold you to that promise."

If she keeps looking at us like that, she could hold us to much more than that promise.

Kal murmured as a warmth simmered in Rhyel's stomach and a grin curled over his lips.

Hasn't she already?

"As you should," Rhyel said as chatter filled the main hall again. "And you know I always keep my promises."

"Yes, you've proved that to me already," Sana said, looking over at Zena. "And I'm so thankful you both returned safely."

"We have you to thank for that, and Lord Rhyel owes you more than a new dragon's breath charm," Zena said, nodding to Rhyel.

"You can start by fully engaging with all of Loic's lessons on how to respectfully treat the nobility and making sure you are the epitome of chivalry and grace when you dance with our Lady. "

"I'm sure we could both do with that," Sana said, laughing. "I'm... I'm not exactly graceful when it comes to dancing the Grensean waltz. Loic's poor toes can attest to that."

"You don't need to worry about that." Rhyel chuckled. "I'm sure my feet can handle it."

Sana bit her lip. "If you say so."

"I do, and I'm sure you're not that bad. You can't be any worse than Zena."

"What? No." Sana laughed. "I don't believe that."

"Oh, I'm afraid he's right, my Lady. I may be a force on the battlefield," Zena said, shaking her head. "But I wasn't blessed with the gift of dance." She smiled, patting her shoulder. "Which is why I'll be working on some drills with Oziel while you two have your lesson with Loic."

"Yes, and if you and my Lord are finished eating, shall we get started?" Loic said, sitting his napkin on the table and a grin spread over his lips. "I've been dying to get you two in my lessons together."

"I'm sure you have," Rhyel grumbled before looking down at Sana. "Are you ready?"

"Yes." She nodded and doubt crept into her eyes. "As long as you promise to be patient with me. I still don't believe Zena's worse than me and I... I don't want you to be frustrated with my lack of skills."

Rhyel shook his head as he stood and held out his hand to her. "You have nothing to worry about."

"Alright," she said, slipping her hand in his as she stood. "Then let's get started." She sighed as they followed Loic out of the hall, with Zena and Oziel trailing behind them.

"You two enjoy yourselves," Oziel snickered, patting Rhyel on the shoulder. "Better you than me, cousin."

"Yeah, not yet," Rhyel smirked. "You know one of these days your mother is going to want to see you on the festive season tour."

Oziel shook his head. "Not anytime soon. Not while my brother and sisters are yet to be wed. I'm the least of my parents' worries," he said, laughing and his blue eyes held a glint of mischief. "That's why I volunteered to live here with you."

"Oh?" Zena said, sliding a hand to her hip. "I thought it was because you're more wolf than your water-bearing siblings."

"Well, that too," Oziel said, dragging a hand through his short black hair. "Anyway, I hope you have a good lesson. Come on, Zena, we have a lot of work to do."

"Mm-hm." Zena nodded. "Let's go."

"I didn't realize Oziel was the odd one in his family," Sana said as they carried on down the hall to the ballroom. "I guess I never thought about his family besides him being your cousin."

"Mm, yes. Oziel was the only wolf born from my aunt, Lady Elalia, and my uncle, Lord Oberon.

My other cousins, Rivo, Galia and Nori all have the gift of water and can shift into sea serpents like their father," Rhyel said as they walked into the ballroom where Loic was speaking to a few musicians waiting for them.

"Oziel's always felt more like a Darcanos than a Grensea, which is why he chose to come to the north when he first shifted. "

"That makes sense why you, Zena and Oziel are so close." She nodded. "You all grew up together, right?"

"We did," he said. "They're as close to siblings as I have."

"Right!" Loic said, turning to them as he clasped his hands together. "Lady Sana and I have been working on the classic Grensean waltz, which we will continue with you as her partner. Do you remember the steps to this dance, my Lord?"

Rhyel nodded. "I do, but if the musicians wouldn't mind taking the tempo slower, I'd appreciate it," he said, looking down at Sana. "It's been a few years since I've danced. I hope you don't mind."

"Not at all," she said, biting her lip. "I haven't been able to dance to the proper tempo yet."

"That's alright." Rhyel smiled. "It means we're both starting at the same place."

"Yes, now if you could take your place in the center of the floor," Loic said, waving his hands toward them. "And I'll watch your movements from here. I want to see you glide across the floor like water, as the music intends."

"Oh Gods," Sana murmured. "He's been telling me that since I started learning this waltz, and I don't know what it means."

"Have you ever danced before this?" Rhyel said as he took her hand and placed it on his shoulder.

"Y-yes," she said as her breath hitched as he slid his hand to the small of her back. "But...but only to the steel drum beats of...of the south with Uma."

"I see," he murmured and bit back a moan at the feel of her pressed against his chest as he curled his hand around hers. "Then you know how to move to the music. This is no different."

Gods, since when did she affect his senses like this?

If I had to guess, it was when you gave your life to her protection.

Kal chuckled.

That sort of pledge changes a man with the heart of a dragon.

"Good. Good, you have excellent form," Loic said, walking around the edge of the dance floor. "Let's begin."

Sana gripped his hand and took a deep breath as a delicate piano and cello melody filled the ballroom as they took their first steps.

But still... I don't remember her smelling like springtime or feeling like her body was meant for—

"Ah!" Rhyel hissed as the point of Sana's heel dug into his toe and grunted as her other foot stepped on his.

"Oh, Gods!" she said, letting go of him. "I'm so sorry."

"Stop, stop!" Loic called out as the music halted. "My Lady, remember what I told you. You've got to keep your head up and let Lord Rhyel lead you."

"I know...I know," she said, sliding her hands over her face. "I'm sorry I'm so bad at this."

"It's okay." Rhyel chuckled, tugging her hands away from her face. "You're not bad at this," he said, glaring at Loic. "But I'm starting to question your instructor."

"My Lord, I take offense to that," Loic huffed, sliding his hands to his hips.

"I come from a long line of wolves trained in the art of dance and the arts.

I trained your father and he held me in high regard, as you know.

I won't give up on Lady Sana. She will be a Lady of impeccable grace during the festive season. "

"I know your credentials, Loic," Rhyel grumbled. "But Sana hasn't had the upbringing you're used to instructing," he said, looking down at Sana. "And that's not a bad thing, but why don't we try something different?"

"Like what? I can barely get through a few steps without stepping on you," she said and his heart clenched at the dejection in her eyes. "I'm not cut out for this."

"Yes, you are," he said, placing her hand on his shoulder and pulling her close. "Now, stand on my feet."

Her eyes grew wide. "What?"

"Stand on my feet and I'll lead you as I'm supposed to."

"But...won't this hurt?" she said, hesitantly placing the tips of her feet on his.

"No, not at all." He chuckled. "It's better than your heels piercing into my feet and it'll be easier for you to learn the steps," he said, looking over at Loic. "We're ready."

Loic nodded and signaled to the musicians.

"Now, keep your head up and don't think about your feet this time, okay?"

Sana nodded as the flowery melody filled the ballroom again. "Okay," she whispered as they glided around the floor.

A smile curled over Sana's lips as they twirled around the ballroom. "I feel silly," she said, laughing softly as her violet eyes shone with joy and made his heart flutter. "But I didn't know this waltz could feel so lovely when I'm not murdering someone's feet."

"Well, don't tell Loic," he said, leaning down to her ear. "But my mother taught me how to dance like this when I was a child."

"Your secret is safe with me," she whispered, and her breath against his neck made a tingle pool in his gut. "Thank you for dancing like this with me."

"You're welcome," he said, twirling her around and dipping her back as the music came to a gentle end. "We can practice like this as much as you'd like, my Lady."

"I'd like that," she said as he pulled her upright with his eyes trailing up the curve of her neck, lingering on her plump lips before settling in her violet eyes. "I'd...I'd like that a lot."

"So would I," he whispered, eyeing her mouth again, and an ache to taste her plump lips burned through his veins as he leaned in close.

"Very good!" Loic said, clapping in excitement and shattering the heady haze that clouded Rhyel's mind. "You two glided with such grace! Now if we can just get Lady Sana to dance like that without using your feet as a guide that would be marvelous."

"Y-yes," Sana said, tearing her gaze away from him. "But I'd like to try Rhyel's technique a few more times."

"Mm, I don't know," Loic said, tapping a finger to his chin. "I don't want you to become reliant on him like that. He's meant to lead you, but you need—"

"What she needs," Rhyel said with a growl lacing his words as he pierced Loic with a deadly glare. "Is exactly what she told you." He gripped Sana's waist. "And we will practice like this until Sana feels comfortable. Is that understood?"

"Yes, yes, of course, my Lord," Loic said, nodding as he tugged at the collar of his shirt and turned to the musicians. "From the top."

"You... you know I trust Loic's expertise," Sana said as they danced around the ballroom again. "He's probably right. I shouldn't get used to dancing this way with you."

"I trust Loic's expertise too, but spending one session dancing like this won't make you dependent," Rhyel said, shaking his head.

"You're allowed to learn the way you need to and you're allowed to demand it, my Lady.

And I want you to start demanding what you want and what you need the same way you demanded me to tell you everything about my future journeys. "

"I-I didn't demand that from you."

Rhyel raised an eyebrow. "The look in your eyes told a different story. You weren't going to let me say no to you."

"I..." she said, biting her lip. "No, I... I wasn't, but if you did, I wouldn't have argued with you."

Rhyel sighed. "I know, but you could have and as the Lady of this House, you have every right to," he said, squeezing her hand.

"Your debut during the festive season is about more than looking the part of a Lady.

You will be tested by the nobles. They'll want to see you fold under them and while I'll do everything in my power not to let that happen, you're going to have to hold your head high and demand how you want to be seen. "

Sana nodded, squeezing his hand back. "I want to be seen as your equal," she said, and his heart simmered at the fiery gumption swirling behind her eyes. "I-I want everyone to know I belong in House Darcanos."

He smiled with pride as he held her close and pressed his lips against her ear. "And they will, my Lady," he whispered. "As long as you demand it."

He didn't know what this overwhelming feeling for her was. Duty. Friendship. Loyalty or love?

He didn't care.

As long as being his equal and showing the realm she belonged by his side was what she wanted, he would damn sure make it known that Sana Lightbourne was his and he would tear down anyone who wished to take her away from him.

A/N: So...Rhyel is getting a bit protective/possessive a bit?

?? I'm kind of curious what happened on that journey he and Zena took to Mortend because he came back all sorts of sensitive to Sana's presence and we may need to stay in Rhyel's POV for a minute to find out.

I'm kind of loving the fact that he's bound and determined to lift Sana up to become the Lady she is and the Lady she deserves to be treated as.

Also...fucking KISS her already!! You both want to! Let's make it happen! ????