Thum~♪
They moved slowly with the music, just perfectly following the rhythm like they had done this a hundred times before.
It was one of the first things drilled into every noble child before they could even hold a weapon or cast a spell: how to dance without thinking, how to let the body follow the movements.
One step forward, a light turn, a smooth pull back.
Gray guided her without effort, his hand firm at her waist, fingers resting just enough to keep control without squeezing.
Alina followed easily, her heels gliding over the polished floor as her gown swayed with each turn. When he stepped to the side, she mirrored him.
When he turned, she spun lightly and came back into place, their hands meeting again as if pulled by habit rather than thought.
While they danced, the noise of the ballroom faded into something distant.
Alina lifted her gaze to his face, her eyes catching his black ones.
