After stuffing herself so full of delicious dessert pastries and decadently piped shortbread cookies, that she thought her dress would rip at the seams, Althea and the others all made their way to the ballroom.

She now waltzed with Jasper for a second song. She silently thanked him for dancing slightly slower than the rest of the coupled dancers around them, as she was still a bit full from all of the tasty sweets.

He twirled her around and around with an outstretched hand as her layered gown whirled around her, fluttering up to reveal the sparkling heeled shoes she wore beneath.

Jasper swept her into his arms again and placed his chin on her shoulder. "I am so delighted that you're mine, all mine to love and cherish forever more," Jasper whispered into her ear, placing a warm, gentle kiss onto her neck.

He pulled away to look into Althea's emerald eyes. She smiled back up at him, forcing the feelings that arose within her at his statement, to the back of her mind. Thoughts that she knew she shouldn't be feeling... thoughts she didn't even want to be feeling! She loved Jasper! So why was the thought of him declaring his forever love of her making her feel this way? She didn't even know what she was feeling exactly. Althea knew it was likely just the idea that someone could love her so deeply that plagued her.

The music boomed through the ballroom as Jasper swept her across the floor, her glittering gown swaying with her as the music began its decrescendo towards a close, finishing with a sombre violin chord.

Jasper pulled her close to him as the song came to a complete close, leaving a kiss on her lips. It was brief, but still brought a rosy tint to her cheeks.

As couples began readying themselves for their next dance, or exiting back to their seats, Jasper gave her a look, as if to ask, ‘what would you like to do?’

"I think I had one too many glasses of champagne, I'm going to go to the powder room, if you'll excuse me," she smiled, pulling her hand from Jasper's warm caress.

"Are you sure you'd not like me to escort you?" he called from behind her as she took a step away from him.

"No it's quite alright, you go enjoy yourself and I'll be back shortly!" She turned to him, blowing him a kiss with her hand. He pretended to catch it with a wink and turned away from her to sit back down.

Althea had not been lying, she did need to use the powder room, but if she were being completely honest, she mostly needed cool air and space. The ballroom was not nearly as packed as it had been at the fall equinox ball, but it was still balmy from all the people dancing.

Althea scaled the stairs, feeling the cool swirl of air hit her as soon as she walked from the ballroom into the main corridor, turning towards the dining hall where the powder room was located.

She didn't walk too quickly, savouring both the fresh air and the moment of being in isolation. As she moseyed through the nearly vacant corridor, passing by the dining hall, its wide doors still opened, a sound caused her to stop. A laugh.

Althea took a step back, peaking into the room. Arsalan stood talking with one of the servants, an older woman who handed him a covered plate of food. He didn't wear a tailored suit or any attire consistent with a ball. No, he wore plain loose fitting trousers and a white cotton tunic. He was laughing at something she'd said, before thanking her and beginning to turn this way. Althea quickly removed herself from his view and positioned herself so it would look like she was just walking back from the powder room. Right as she was about to pass the doorway once more, he walked right in front of her and she halted, pretending to be startled. She was only curious why he'd not attended the ball... she knew he'd told her he didn't celebrate Yuletide but she at least thought he would feast with them.

"Sorry," they both said in unison before his eyes grazed hers and she could see a light flash over them. He scanned her from her face down to the sweep of her gown on the floor.

"Althea," he breathed out, suddenly the plate of food he balanced on an arm nearly fell to the ground. He caught it before it did but she could visibly see how tense he was as his eyes met with hers again. "You are positively glowing tonight," he finished, his throat bobbing as he swallowed.

She smiled, nodding her thanks to him, "and you..." she eyed his leisurely attire and smirked at him. He chuckled as she finished, "well I take it you're not in attendance tonight."

He shook his head, "no," and laughed, "I just came down to grab myself some dinner... I had expected one of the servants to bring it to my bedchamber but I assume they were likely too busy to remember," he shrugged, "and I needed to stretch my legs anyway."

She nodded, knotting her fingers together behind her back.

"So you won't be joining us for any of the festivities then?" she asked and he shook his head. She could always wait to give him his gift until after the holiday... but she had always been too eager when it came to the art of gift giving.

"Well in that case, I need to show you something," she couldn't hide the smile that took over her lips.

Arsalan furrowed his eyebrows.

"Shouldn't you be getting back in there to dance?" he asked, nodding down the corridor towards the ballroom.

"The dancing will still be there when I get back," she cooed, and then continued, reaching for the plate that balanced on Arsalan's forearm, "and besides, you clearly need help with this."

He opened his mouth to deny her but she shot him a look and he just laughed, allowing her to take the plate from its place on his bare arm. He'd rolled the sleeve of his tunic up to his elbow, leaving visible the raised veins protruding from his skin and the ink painted there.

"May I at least inquire to where you're taking me?" he asked, following behind her as she led them towards the stairs.

"To my bedchamber," she said, turning her head to look at him. He wore a confused expression.

"Did you find something new?" he asked, his voice dropping octaves now. Her smile faded and she shook her head.

"No, no, it's nothing about," she looked around to ensure nobody was near them listening, "this place," she finished and he nodded.

"You'll see once we get up there," she smirked, beginning her ascent up the staircase with him at her side now. She used her free hand to lift the length of her gown to avoid tripping.

"I meant to say this to you yesterday after training..." he paused, glancing towards her now, "but you are doing so well Althea. I'm..." she could see the inside of his cheek indent as he bit it, as if unsure of what he wanted to say, "I'm really proud of you." Althea's heart fluttered in her chest at his words.

"Really?" she asked. He'd never come out and directly praised her like that before... sure he'd said kind things to her, but this... this was different.

He nodded, and she thanked him graciously.

When they finally reached her bedchamber, her sconces from earlier were still lit.

"So what are we doing in here?" Arsalan asked, looking around Althea's room. Archie laid curled up on her bed, his head perking up at the sound of them entering the chamber.

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"Well," Althea bit her lip, looking at him sidelong, he looked... nervous, genuinely nervous, as he stared back at her, causing her to snort.

"My god Arsalan, it's nothing that serious, I just wanted to give you something," Althea reached for her vanity drawer, "now I know you don't celebrate Yuletide, but I would have gotten this even if it weren't a holiday, it just reminded me so much of you and I thought you'd like to add it to your collection."

"You got me... a gift?" he asked, furrowing his eyebrows, "but why? I... I didn't get you anything in return and I–"

"Hush now, I care not whether you got me anything in return! Consider this a token of my gratitude for all of these months you've put into my training," she cut him off, as she held the dagger behind her back.

He let out a sigh, but still looked as though he wished he had something to give her.

"Okay, if you so insist," he breathed out.

"I do! Now close your eyes and put out your hands, I don't have all night," she joked, laughing playfully. He rolled his eyes before closing them and placing his hands out in front of him.

Althea placed the hefty dagger in his hands and his eyes shot open at the weight. She watched as he eyed the dragon hilted dagger, flipping it over, before removing it from its casing and studying it closer.

"Do you fancy it?" she asked, but he didn't break eye contact from the tool in his hands.

"It's..." he paused, running a finger over the blue glinting sapphires, "extraordinary Althea," he said after an elongated silence. His blue eyes bore into hers as he finally looked up from the weapon in hand.

"I'm pleased you’re so fond of it!" she beamed at him.

"Fond of it?" he shook his head, "this is... this must have cost you—"

"Nuh-uh-uh, I will have none of that," she interrupted him, "if you like it that is all that matters."

He slid the dagger back into its sleeve and stared up at her.

"I love it Althea, this is by far the most exquisite gift I've ever received." Suddenly he took a step towards her. Althea froze, just looking at him as he drew closer to her. Her heart thudded so hard in her chest and so fast it was all she could hear in her ears as he reached a hand to her face, his rough calloused skin was hot as it caressed her cheek.

Suddenly he began leaning in and Althea swallowed, completely unable to move. However, he didn't lean towards her lips... no he leaned into her cheek, whispering to her, "but the most exquisite gift of all is having you here with me." He laid a cool kiss to her smouldering cheek. When he pulled away from her she felt as though her legs would give out beneath her. He smiled down at the gift she'd given him, then back up at her.

"Thank you Althea," he said and she cleared her throat forcing out her reply. "Of course, I'm glad you like it."

"Now go enjoy the rest of your ball, you deserve it." He smiled but it didn't quite reach his eyes. Those eyes that were laced with longing. But longing for what? Surely not for her... but perhaps for something else.

She didn't even want to go back downstairs... no she wished she could spend the rest of her night eating sweets and talking with him beside the glowing hearth, in the quiet solitude of her bedchamber. But Jasper was waiting for her... Jasper... he was likely wondering where on earth she'd gone.

As much as she wished she could stay and talk with him for longer, she nodded and led him from her bed chamber.

They walked silently towards the stairs. She wanted to say something... anything, but she didn't know what to say. Instead, once they met their point of diversion, she just looked at him, lacing her fingers together behind her back.

"Well, enjoy the rest of your ball... you really do look marvellous by the way," he said, taking her in, in her entirety one last time.

"Thank you, I will. You enjoy your food," she smiled as he carried the three plates once more.

He nodded and she began to turn away when he spoke again, "and thank you again for the gift Althea... I will cherish it forever."

She turned to look over her shoulder at him, smiling softly. She just nodded her head and turned away, walking down the stairs. She breathed out a sigh, feeling completely and utterly overwhelmed by her own emotions.

As she rounded the last landing, Althea nearly ran into Jasper who smiled as his eyes met hers.

"There you are! I've been looking all over for you! You worried me," he breathed out a sigh, latching her arm with his. She returned his smile and apologised for her absence. As they walked down the stairs though, her mind still roamed with thoughts of the way Arsalan had looked at her when she'd gifted him that dagger... there was that boyish light that spread to his eyes as he held it in his hands. That and the way his eyes had drank her in as he complimented her appearance. She couldn't rid that feeling of... she didn't know exactly what it was she felt... a mix of joy, and maybe admiration? She wasn't sure and that was the part that bothered her the most.

Jasper led her back to the ballroom, despite her still having to use the powder room, she didn't know why she didn't just go while she was in her own room.

"Oh there she is now," Althea heard the familiar voice of Zella say as she looked to her side, seeing the Candidus girl looking just as stunning as always. She seemed to be having a conversation with a gentleman who Althea didn't recognize. However, when Zella turned away from him to face Althea, there was a look in her eyes that screamed help me.

Althea paused her walking with Jasper and reached out her spare hand to Zella who rolled her eyes with annoyance at the man behind. The dark haired man who appeared to be closer to Althea's own age, let out a huff of air and turned away visibly disgruntled.

"What was that about?" Althea asked, rubbing Zellas back as she still looked at the man walking away from them.

Zella breathed out a sigh and waved an unbothered hand behind her, "some courtier who wouldn't take no for an answer when I told him I didn't want to dance."

Althea took another look back at the man and rolled her eyes. She hated people who felt as though they were allowed to force others to make decisions.

"How pathetic of him," Althea spat and Zella laughed.

"It's not like I was being biassed towards just him... I rarely dance with anyone besides my fellow ladies... I am just rather uninterested in dancing with men when they always assume my kindness to be interest in them." Zella shrugged it off then grinned wickedly before whispering, "sometimes just to mess with them I turn myself invisible to get away from them." She let out a snort that made Althea laugh along with her.

She really was such a fierce girl, especially for her age... Most young women didn't have the courage she knew Zella held within her. From spending nearly all of her days beside the Candidus girl she had grown fond of having a friend who was so unafraid to flaunt herself for exactly who she was.

"You've not been interested in anyone since you've been here?" Jasper asked from her other side, she'd nearly forgotten he was there.

Zella shook her head, "you could say I'm not particularly looking for a romantic relationship right now... I'm more focused on training and my ability," she shrugged.

Jasper nodded slowly. Althea hated that she knew him well enough to see a slight twinkle of judgement there in those hazel eyes. Did he think she should be looking for a romantic relationship at the age of just sixteen? Her birthday had only passed last month.

"I, for one, think that is exactly what you need to be focused on right now, and with all of that stunning beauty, your quick witted demeanour and those smarts, you'll likely have countless people falling to their knees for you anytime you are ready for all of that," Althea nodded her head smiling at Zella who blushed slightly and hugged Althea's side.

"Thank you for always reassuring me that I'm doing the right thing," she whispered and Althea nodded.

In the far corner the orchestra struck up a new tune, this time a woman wearing a lace dress as white as snow with a white wig to match sang such a beautiful harmonic melody that Althea couldn't resist the urge to ask Jasper for a dance.

He swirled and twirled her around the ballroom for song after song until she was sure her legs would give out beneath her.

At the end of the final song Jasper dipped her low, just as he'd done that first night under the summer stars. It brought Althea back to that hedge maze where she'd very first met them all. Little had she known, that was one of the last "normal" nights she'd ever experience. It felt like an entirely different lifetime rather than being just five months ago. She never imagined how vastly her life could change in less than half a year. She'd also never imagined a world where magic abilities and the possibility of other worlds really existed... especially not right under the nose of regular society.

Jasper leaned in to kiss her, and this time as her eyes fluttered closed, his lips did meet hers, unlike that time all those months ago. She leaned into the kiss, enjoying the warmth of his lips on hers, and the way he caressed her back as he held her.

The odd feelings from earlier drifted away and Althea could only feel the love that billowed from her at their shared love for one another.

She loved him... of course she did, it was no question. She did truly love and care for him and she was happy that he rejoiced in his love for her to their friends. Suddenly those feelings that had arisen in her earlier seemed silly. How could she have felt anything but love for the man who clearly cared for her so deeply. Shame stained her mind as he pulled away, bringing her up with him for a much needed dancing break.