Soul Mates: Magic (Soul Mates Series) by Elizabeth A. Lance Page B

you.”
    Aurora bobbed a curtsy and headed back toward the kitchen. I slipped quietly into the dining hall and took my place to the right of Auberon. It was a small group this evening. Just Auberon, Tatiana, Cole and I. Normally Daire would have joined us, but apparently he was keeping his word to stay away from me this weekend. I sort of regretted telling him I didn’t want to see him.
    “Princess, you look divine.”
    “Thank you , Cole. You look quite handsome yourself.” He was wearing a formal Fae suit, deep green in color. His long dark hair was braided with ivy and holy.
    “Will you do the honors, my love?” Tatiana asked Auberon.
    “Of course, my dearest,” Auberon replied picking up the knife and carving the pheasant. “Did you have a productive day?” he asked me.
    “We did. We’ve chosen my flower for my come-out ball.”
    “I cannot wait to see it. Tell me, what flower did you choose?”
    “Ah-ah-ah, my dear,” Tatiana said with a smile. “You know that would be telling, and it cannot be revealed until Yuletide.”
    Auberon smiled, “Very well. Do you train with Jarlath this evening?”
    “Yes, we are working on the waltz again.”
    “You have to learn to let the gentleman lead , my dear.”
    I sighed. “I know. I’m working on it,” I said finishing up my last bite of supper and dreading the dance lesson.

Chapter Seven
     
    “No Princess, when I step forward, you step backward on your right foot. Now try it again.”
    I gritted my teeth. Jarlath was not a fun teacher. There was no music playing and it was hard to find the rhythm without it. I attempted once again to do as he asked. He stepped forward and I stepped back, then we moved to the side and I seemed to be getting the hang of it. Of course that is when Jarlath decides to throw in something new, a spin and a dip. More to throw me off balance I’m sure.
    “Try it again. Just feel my movements, anticipate where I will go and allow yourself to be led.”
    “Perhaps, if I may interrupt…” Daire said from the doorway.
    “Of course,” Jarlath replied. “Maybe you can do something with her.”
    Daire stepped into the room and I took in the beauty of him in Fae form. His long dark blond hair fell like a cloud around his shoulders and down his back, free of any entanglements. He wore a deep purple Fae suit to perfection. His perfect bow lips curved into a smile. “Disappointed to see me, Princess?”
    I smiled. “No. I’m glad you did not stay away as I asked.”
    “I had every intention of doing as you commanded, but you looked so miserable with Jarlath, that I could not help but step in,” he said coming to my side. “Perhaps some music will help?”
    “I think it might,” I replied with a smile.
    Daire took my left hand in his right and placed his left hand on the curve of my hip as the strains of ‘ The Dark Waltz ’ by Haley Westenra began to play. He led me perfectly around the ballroom, turning and spinning me in every direction. I didn’t miss a step as I gazed into his deep blue eyes. Every second in his arms was cruelly wonderful and I never wanted the music to end. Of course it soon did and he pulled away from me and dropped into a formal bow.
    “I believe you have mastered the waltz, Princess,” Daire said as he handed me off to Jarlath. “Perhaps you should work on her quick step next Jarlath.” He turned and left the room without a backwards glance.
    I wanted to stamp my foot in frustration. He had to know how I felt about him, surely, I thought. Jarlath switched the music to “ The Four Seasons ” by Vivaldi, and showed me the quick step. I would love to say that I picked it up as quickly as the name implied, but I didn’t. Probably because my mind was no longer on dancing, but on Daire.
    “Princess, I think perhaps we should pick this up another time when you are less distracted. That is the third time you have missed the pattern of steps.”
    “I’m sorry Jarlath, my heart just isn’t in it this