Approaching the great hall felt like approaching a summary execution. Madelynn clutched Callum’s hand like it was the only thing keeping her afloat, until she could feel her nails digging into the back of his hand.

The great doors were open, and she could see the loosely packed crowd swaying with the swell of music. The hall was dimly lit with chandeliers lining the ceiling, and a band played an upbeat twang on the stage.

“I’m definitely going to vomit,” Madelynn said tursely, holding a hand to her mouth. “I don’t think I can do this. What if my mother comes between us?”

“Like I said, just focus on me.” Callum’s voice was smooth, calmer than she’d ever heard it. He was hiding something, she could tell by the way his eyes danced around, as if he was waiting for something- or more than likely someone- to swoop in and ruin the moment.

They passed through the doors, and Madelynn’s gaze immediately found her mother. She was standing in a tight circle with other noble looking women, laughing at something that was probably not funny at all. “That’s her, over there,” Madelynn whispered, nervous she’d be heard even from this great distance.

“Ignore her,” Callum said plainly. Then, he turned to face her, briefly walking backward, then slowed to a stop, forcing Madelynn to a halt as well. He bowed at the waste, holding his right hand out toward her. “Dance with me.” It was a demand, rather than a question.

“What?” Madelynn balked, staring at his outstretched hand. Then, her gaze flicked up to her mother, who was now staring straight at her. Her eyes were wide and angry-angrier than she’d ever seen. Madelynn didn’t wait to see if she started toward her, and instead grasped Callum’s hand, allowing him to pull her onto the dancefloor as the upbeat song came to an end.

His other hand came around to her middle back, sweeping her in closer to him. Her heartbeat was booming in her ears as she glanced around them. Men and women were staring at them, their hands held in front of their mouths as they whispered amongst themselves. Madelynn felt a blush creep up her neck and flourish in her cheeks.

“Look at me, Madelynn.” Callum’s hand left her back to grip her chin, turning her head to face him.

“Everyone’s staring at us,” she whispered as his hand returned to her back.

“Let them.”

The band brought a slow, flouncing Waltz to life and Callum moved. They pushed and pulled each other until they fell into an easy rhythm, their feet prancing around masterfully. Callum’s coat tail flicked up as Madelynn’s skirt swept widely across the dance floor, her hair whipping around her neck in a black halo.

He moved with an ease that surprised her. He led her as though they’d danced together hundreds of times before, steady and deliberate. And, despite her panic, Madelynn found herself relaxing into the steady rhythm.

Her chest felt tight, torn between the exhilaration of Callum’s presence and the knowledge that every step they took brought her closer to social ruin.

“You’re surprisingly good at this,” she panted out, trying to ignore the heat settling in her cheeks.

“Surprisingly?” Callum teased, the corners of his mouth pulling up into a smirk.

“I haven’t met many soldiers, but they were all particularly clumsy.”

“Well, I aim to impress.” He chuckled as they spun, the hand on her back pulling her in closer until her chest was pressed against him. “You seem tense.”

“Of course I’m tense!” She craned her neck to look up at him. “I can feel their eyes on me. I’ve never enjoyed being the center of attention.”

“Really? Your choice of gown says differently.”

“My handmaiden insisted,” Madelynn mumbled, silently cursing Elise for allowing her to wear such a flamboyant dress. “She’s a bit obsessed with the idea of romance.”

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

Callum pursed his lips before leaning down to whisper in her ear. “Would she consider this romantic?”

Madelynn’s eyes shot wide, and she felt like pulling away. She could run away now and go hide herself away in a deep, dark cave, far away from society. But, as he pulled back and looked down at her with those pearly blue eyes, she lost her motivation. “I think she’d find this quite pleasing.”

Callum smiled wide, his dimples peeking out once again. “Besides,” he continued, as if he hadn’t just sent heat spiraling down into the depths of Madelynn’s belly, “they’ll all forget by tomorrow. A scandal is only a scandal as long as the people have something to gawk at.”

Madelynn wasn’t so sure, but his confidence was infectious. For a brief moment, the room around them faded, and it was just the two of them. The music swelled, reaching a crescendo, and her steps faltered slightly as her gaze lingered on his face. His features were soft under the faint glow of the chandeliers, and he was more handsome than ever. His jaw clenched as his eyes met hers once again.

“You’re staring,” he said, his lips quirking up into a grin.

She snapped her gaze away from his, her cheeks continuing to burn. “I am not.”

“You are.”

She bit her lip, forcing her gaze to meet his once again. His gaze was intense as ever, and all she wanted was to lose herself in it. “Well, you’re distracting.”

“Good.”

As the song faded to an end, the hand on her back pulled her impossible close while he leaned into her. She leaned back, letting him support her weight as her right leg came up to float a few inches above the floor. His face was just inches from hers, and she could feel his labored breaths against her lips.

They were so close- and the moment felt electric, charged by some unknown force that wouldn’t let her pull away- she could kiss him. Her heart hammered in her chest, a wild staccato that seemed to sync with the rhythm of his breath against her skin. It would be so easy to close the gap, to let herself fall into this dangerous, reckless connection.

A cough, sharp and deliberate, shattered the fragile bubble of their moment. Callum’s hand tightened against her back as her head snapped to the side, her breath catching at the sight of two glowing eyes of molten gold fixed on them from the edge of the dance floor.

Casimir’s lips curved into a faint smile, but his gaze held no warmth. He stepped forward, a predator moving to claim its prey.

Callum pulled Madelynn back to standing as her stomach dropped to her knees. Instinctually, her hand flew to his, gripping it tightly.

He leaned in close to whisper, “Don’t let him see your fear.”

Madelynn did her best to straighten her back and push out her chest as Casimir approached them, his face as unreadable as ever.

He gave Madleynn a low bow, his smile looking more cynical than friendly.

“I hate to interrupt the two of you,” he started, his voice smooth and controlled. “But I was hoping I could whisk my date away for a dance?” He held his hand out to Madelynn.

She stared at his outstretched hand and held back a wretch. She couldn’t do this. She couldn’t be here anymore. She felt naked under his gaze, as if he could see into her soul.

She didn’t meet his gaze, focusing on the feeling of Callum’s trembling fingers intertwined with her own. “No,” she said plainly, wishing she could run away.

For a moment, Casimir looked taken aback. His eyebrows twitched, just faintly, as he looked between her and Callum. “No?” His expression faded back to stone cold in less than a second, as if she’d imagined it.

“No,” she reiterated, knitting her brows together. He’d played enough games with her tonight and, after hearing what he’d put Callum through, no amount of fear would stop her from at least trying to stand up for herself. “I don’t wish to dance with you.”

Casimir’s lips pulled upward into an amused smile, as if impressed with Madelynn’s resilience. Madelynn’s heart skipped a beat at the gesture and her stomach tied in knots. Everything about him was the complete opposite of Callum. How had they ever been friends? “Very well,” Casimir said, his tone edged with amusement. “Defiance suits you, Lady Madelynn. It’s a pity how fleeting it can be.” He turned away from her but her eyes followed him as he brushed Callum’s wrist with his hand, his touch lingering a moment too long. “A word, General?” He said to Callum in a hushed tone.

Callum’s jaw tightened, his hand brushing over the spot where Casimir had touched him. A muscle in his cheek twitched, but he said nothing, his silence louder than words.

Madelynn’s breath hitched. What was he going to do to Callum? She tried to pull him with her as she stepped away, but he just squeezed her hand one last time before he let go, letting his hand drop to his waist. Madelynn’s hand felt cold without his. The loss of his warmth was like a tether snapping, leaving her adrift in a sea of stares and judgment. Callum nodded curtly at Casimir, before following him away.

She wanted to follow, but another hand found her shoulder, gripping tight enough to send pain down arm. She winced, and turned to see her mother staring down at her, seething.

“Madelynn Genevieve Hawtrey,” her mother hissed, her voice sharp enough to cut through the din of the hall. Even now, she was more concerned with appearances than the chaos swirling around them. “What the hell is wrong with you?”

Madelynn opened her mouth to respond, but her mind was elsewhere. She snapped her gaze back to Callum. Her stomach churned as she watched him walk away, each step filling her with a helpless rage. She wanted to scream, to demand he stay by her side, but her mother’s iron grip reminded her just how little control she truly had. Madelynn clenched her jaw until her teeth ached, rage simmering just beneath her fear. This couldn’t be her life—not anymore.