Just a Minuet

Mahogany eyes reflected flickering flames. Chandeliers and their abundance of candles bathed the evening in an orange glow as they swayed above them. Music from the quintet, sequestered on a balcony above the melee, barely drowned out the hum of chatter from those standing along the walls, watching the couples move across the open floor to the beat. Those eyes, they were pools of an unknown depth. They hid many a secret and danger but enticed all the same.

Or was it the danger and the secrets themselves that were enticing? They blinked and Leylira focused on her movements once more, feeling the light tap of her heels with each step she took. Her arms rose as she turned away from him, the gossamer sleeves of her dress floated, weightless, following her lead and the heavy layers of her skirts spun out around her. She was flying, flying away, but there was an anchor, pulling her back to land.

His hand was warm and strong and steady when it captured hers, grounding. Facing him again it was those firm lips that caught her attention. She knew that they could utter the most sensual of promises and the most violent of threats. The dance brought them closer and he brought them closer still, almost indecently so. Leylira could feel his heat seep into her skin.

His heady scent filled her nose, bergamot and mint. Reminding her of easier times, when the atmosphere between them was not filled with this tension. Of carefree days filled instead with laughter and innocence. Running through fields of wild flowers, climbing trees and days lazing about the lakes.

Rough calluses on his palms gently snagged her gloves as they slid against each other. Those lips tightened, deep groves bracketing them. Leylira and he stepped apart and closer and apart and closer, as the dance demanded. So many unspoken conversations filled the space between them, conversations that needed to be had, but not here, not now. The silence of their interaction a contrast to the other couples dancing alongside them. Leylira knew that they were talking but she had not the wherewithal to eavesdrop. Those conversations joined the dim hum of all the others in the back of her mind, just beneath the music.

Secrets and danger called again and their eyes caught for a fleeting glance before they spun away from each other and step, step, stepped away, sashaying in a large arch. Breathing was easier with distance. Though the smell of sweat and wilting flowers was not preferred. A fresh breeze as she passed by the open garden doors was most welcome, the air humid but cool, a relief from the stifling heat inside and the burning heat of when they stood close.

Arch finished, their palms pressed together above Leylira’s head. The tempo of the steps slowed and the couples circled each other, the intensity rose. Hands gradually drifted down between them. He spun her around, a grip steady on her waist, his breath teasing her ear. She wished to be free but she loved this reckless weight.

The strings and the tempo slowed again, their steps echoing to match. Leylira took a step forward while he stepped back. The light tap of her feet was comforting, her arms rose as she turned towards him, the gossamer sleeves of her dress floated, weightless, following her lead and the heavy layers of her skirts spun out around her. Bending deep, she curtsied with the que and released a relieved sigh that it was over.

The dance should not have felt so fraught. It was just a minuet.