Iya stopped at the Grand Hall doors that led into the main ball room. The guards stood nearby waiting for the signal to open them. Even the royal guards couldn’t help but stare at their commander. She was breathtakingly beautiful. Iya stood there looking down at her shoes. Nervousness was starting to kick in and she’s never felt anything like that before. Her heart was pounding and her breathing started picking up pace.

“You’ll be fine.” Surra grabbed Iya’s hand, “Look we’ll go in together. I won’t leave your side until I know you’re ready, ok. Come on, you walk into crowds all the time and we kick ass for a living, so tonight is no different. We make our appearances, say our hellos, dance a little, drink a lot and finally well some of us do other things.” Surra gave Iya a big smile. Iya smiled and laughed, she knew what Surra was talking about.

“You’re right… let’s do this.” Iya nodded at the guards to open the grand doors. A gush of air came rushing through and people looked in the direction of the opened door. The grand hall was the biggest ball room in the kingdom. Huge chandeliers hung from the ceiling, columns of white pillars were big and round. The wooden floors were freshly waxed and a long wooden table was filled with food and wine. There was enough room to fit over a hundred guests. During events and festivals, a small orchestra played classical music in the corner of the ball room. The live band played outside in the common area by the markets stands catered to a different style of music. It was all depending on your taste. Most people enjoyed both sceneries and walked down the stairs from the ball room that led to the market. Anyone can get the best of both worlds.

When some of the guest laid eyes on Iya a lot of gasping and whispering followed. Jaws dropped and many started smiling at her, admiring her new look. Married men who were dancing with their wives couldn’t keep their eyes off of her. Wives came up to Iya complimenting on how beautiful she was by hugging and kissing her on the cheeks. At first all the attention was overwhelming but eventually all the compliments became enjoyable. The one person Iya wasn’t expecting to be so taken away was her father. She always had a special place in his heart.

King Jaron and other members of the royal family sat on the stage overlooking the guest enjoying their night. The king noticed all the commotion stirring around and stood up to get a better look. When he saw Iya dressed up his heart dropped. He almost didn’t recognize her. King Jaron was so happy and proud to see his daughter in formal attire. It was something she swore she would never do.

The king walked down the stairs of the stage and met Iya halfway. When Iya approached her father she bowed than smiled when she looked up at him. Her father returned the bow and grabbed Iya by her hand kissing the top gently. “I see you changed your mind about dressing up. I’m glad you did, you look so beautiful. I didn’t know what all the commotion was until I saw you. I’m proud of you, baby girl.” King Jaron put his hand on Iya’s shoulders pulling her in a little closer to whisper, “You aren’t choosing someone tonight are you?”

Iya looked up shocked her father would ask her such an uncomfortable question.

“Da…” Iya shrugged her shoulders moving her father’s hand, “No, ok…”

Her father stood up and smiled while looking around, “Well… it’s going to be hard to avoid anyone looking as beautiful as you do. Have a good night Iya. I’m sure they’re waiting for you down there.” He leaned down and gave his youngest daughter a big hug. No matter how uncomfortable it made the king, this was Iya’s rite of passage into adulthood.

“Thanks da…” She looked up at her father then behind him at her sister Patrisha and brother Jaron Jr. They both smiled and waved back at her, happy to see her dressed up. Patrisha blew her a kiss from the stage and whispered ‘good luck’. Iya smiled at her sister than turned around and made her way to the stairs.

As soon as Iya left the ballroom and stood at the top of the stairs, people below started getting quiet. By the time she reached the bottom, everyone was silent. Majority of the people there at the stands were her soldiers. They had never seen their commander dressed like that before and most knew Iya her whole life. She turned and looked at her soldiers and grinned really hard. Laughing at their reaction she looked at them and said, “Not everyone speak at once…”

Moments later whistling and clapping popped up throughout the crowd. Iya’s ‘sisters in arms’ ran up to her hugging her and giving compliments. She continued shaking hands and making her way through the crowd. Everyone wanted a piece of Iya’s attention. Many guys started approaching her wondering if she was choosing a partner for the night, Luca and Willie were two of them. That seemed to be the highlight of the night. Honestly, Iya knew once she dressed up it would open the flood gates for her. She was already getting approached while she was in her full armor. Tonight however, she only had one intention. No matter how much she had to lie or sneak to achieve it.

Luca walked up closer to Iya, scratching the back of his head, “So… we were wondering if you were choosing someone tonight? If so, we are definitely free...” He giggled at himself.

Iya stood there and looked at them both. She wasn’t mad at them for trying but deep down they were more like her brothers. “First off, I’ve witnessed both of you take shits before and that’s not attractive.” Iya smiled making both of them laugh.

“So that’s a no then?” Willie said, popping up from behind Luca. Iya shook her head no at them as she walked away back into the crowd.

Surra quickly tried to find Jayce through the market. She had a feeling Kal would be with him and she was desperate to see Kal’s reaction. Sure enough they were both standing together at the bar. Jayce leaned against the bar looking around trying to find Surra. Kal was sitting at the bar facing the bartender drinking a mug of ale. When Jayce saw Surra coming through towards him, he sprung up and started walking towards her.

“Hey Surra we’re over here…” Jayce waved his girlfriend down until they made eye contact.

“Sorry I’m late babe, I was helping someone special get ready.” Surra smiled as she pointed to the middle of the common area.

“Who? I don’t see anyone. I see you though and you look amazing.” Jayce leaned over and gave Surra a kiss.

“Thanks babe, but look right in the middle.” She pointed in the direction where Iya was standing. She was talking to a first born teacher who was also complimenting her on how she looked.

When Jayce saw his twin sister, his whole faced dropped. “Is that Iya? Wow! You helped her didn’t you? Wow babe… I truly didn’t recognize her, she’s beautiful.”

Surra smiled at Jayce and hugged him for the compliments. “She is isn’t she?”

Jayce didn’t want to ask but he wondered why she got dressed up tonight. Surra looked over Jayce’s shoulder and saw Kal sitting at the bar. He had just ordered another drink. Surra called her cousin over since he was sitting by himself. Kal slowly scooted off the stool and walked over to where Jayce and Surra were standing.

Surra could not help herself and had to test her theory about Kal and Iya. He looked a little annoyed but he was nicely dressed in all black. A black button up shirt with formal black slacks. He wore his hair in his usual style which was a high up bun. He twisted his locks into a style and freshly cut the bottom half of his head. Kal looked really handsome for tonight as well.

Surra leaned over and whispered in Jayce’s ear before Kal approached them. “What’s Kal’s problem? He doesn’t look too happy.”

Jayce quickly answered Surra before Kal could hear, “Its Cassie… she won’t take the hint. Maybe he can find someone new tonight.”

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Kal walked up to Surra and Jayce with his drink in his hand. “What’s all the fuss about? Hey Surra… you look pretty tonight.”

“Thanks Kal, you’re so sweet.” Surra walked and gave Kal a hug before taking a sip out of his mug. “Wait till you see Iya”. She pointed her out as she was walking towards them. Kal had the same reaction everyone else had. His mouth popped open and he couldn’t take his eyes off of her. At that moment for Kal, no one was around in the festival except for Iya. She kept getting stopped, she was smiling so big and bright you would have thought it was her special day.

For Kal, this felt like his moment of truth. He was on the same page as her and thought tonight would be his window of opportunity. He was not going to waste any more time and risk losing her forever. Surra was talking to Kal but he didn’t hear anything she was saying. Instead he handed her his drink and started walking through the crowd. Surra tried so hard not to react too obvious but she definitely noticed Kal’s jaw dropping reaction. In her mind, she also was wishing them good luck.

Along the way Kal kept getting stopped too. His brothers and sisters in arms also wanted a piece of their captain as well. Iya and Kal were loved deeply by their peers and comrades. Many were showing them the respect they both deserved. When Iya finally looked up and met Kal’s eye contact, their gaze was stuck like glue. A trance neither of them could break until they became face to face. As they tried to get closer to each other, more and more people seemed to come between them. Eventually, they both started making the conversations short so they could leave.

Finally when they became only a few feet away, Iya and Kal stood there staring at one another. Not sure what to do, they let the music decide when the band started playing something slow. The lovely soulful rhythm of slow blues and jazz filled the air with a chill out vibe everyone hopped on to enjoy. Left and right both guys and girls were grabbing partners to slow dance with. Kal took the final step closer and reached out his hand to Iya and asked, “Can I have this dance?”

Iya took Kal’s hand smiling, “Yes you may.” He was trying to hold back his grinned as he grabbed her hand pulling in her closer. “You know I’m not the best slow dancer…”

“I’ll teach you a few things than.” Kal twirled Iya around slowly to the rhythm. As she twirled the full circle, with his other hand Kal grabbed her by the waist. He pulled her in as close as he could. Someone walking by bumped Iya in the shoulder. The bump popped her out of her trance and she started noticing other couples dancing around them staring in their direction. Iya looked on both sides before Kal grabbed Iya’s chin redirecting her focus on to him. She fell right back into his trance as she felt the intensity between them starting to build. Kal looked down at Iya right into her eyes, “Don’t worry about them… they were too chicken to ask you to dance. I don’t care if they look, I’m the happiest man alive right now.”

Iya blushed as she placed her hand on his shoulder. She grabbed Kal’s other hand and they began to dance slowly. Kal couldn’t help but to breathe in her intoxicating honey scent she always smelled like. Rose water baths or ‘Honey milk baths’ is what she calls them and it makes her skin smooth like silk. Tonight she smelled like fresh honey. Iya became more relaxed as she started moving her hands from Kal’s shoulders down to his arms. He did the same moving his hand from her waist to around her back. Iya felt like dancing with Kal was so natural and carefree. It felt like they were floating in the clouds and no one was there but them.

At the right moment, Kal twirled Iya again in a full circle and at the end dipped her. Before he pulled her up, he caressed the center of her back gently. Slipping the tips of his fingers underneath the top part of her dress. It was quick and unnoticeable to others, but to Iya the sensation made her close her eyes for a second as he pulled her back up. She slowly caressed his muscular arm before returning back to his shoulder. Being this close to one another for this amount of time was what they needed. What they craved…

They stood still for a moment looking into each other’s eyes. The words were right on the tip of their tongues. It was the insatiable desire to have one another that was burning them alive inside. The song was almost coming to an end and they were barely dancing to the song anymore. It took every fiber in Kal’s body not to just scoop her up by the legs and run to his room or hers whichever. The trick was not leaving together, not making it more obvious than what they already have… and they knew that.

“Can I cut in?” Iya looked to her left and Cashius was standing there smirking. Iya looked back at Kal who looked up and away before looking at Cashius. “The song is almost over…” He extended out his hand to Iya who had no choice but to oblige. She slowly took his hand and pulled away from Kal. It was hard for him to let her hand go. Cashius took Iya into the crowd a few feet away. He swung her around quickly than grabbed her waist with a firm grip.

Iya was pissed Cashius interrupted her dance and she was more pissed she couldn’t do anything about it. Iya pulled back from Cashius grip so at least she wasn’t that close. She looked away trying to find where Kal was but didn’t see him anywhere. Cashius noticed her distraction and twirled her around once, hoping it’ll bring her back. He stooped his head down trying to make eye contact with Iya. “You look very lovely tonight Princess Iya. What’s the special occasion?”

Iya gave Cashius the attention he so desired, “Well, we chose a new Star Lord, my Lord and I get to finally leave off of this rock.” Her answered was a little sarcastic but she played it off with a smile.

“Did I interrupt something between you and your captain? You guys seemed pretty comfortable there on the dance floor?”

“There’s nothing going on between me and my captain Cashius… we were just dancing and talking.”

Cashius was still close to Iya’s face and could sense her irritation, “I’m still Cash you know… the guy you’ve been friends with your whole life. Just because I’m the Star Lord now doesn’t mean our relationship has to change Iya.” The song ended but Cashius still swayed back and forth holding Iya in the slow dance position. “I wanted to apologize for last night. I was a drunkin’ idiot and I shouldn’t have kissed you like that. You mean so much to me that it would devastate me to lose you.”

“It’s fine Cashius… I knew you were drunk. People do dumb things when they’re drunk. I accept your apology.” Iya was still trying to secretly look to see where Kal had went. It didn’t make any sense he would just disappear like that.

“Good, I’m glad that’s fixed because I have something super special to tell you. I’m leaving tonight to go meet the Star Council. The current Star Lord Tyannitus is eager to meet me before his light fades. I’ll get the chance to see your mother.” Cashius gave Iya a big cheesy smile like he was super excited.

Iya however quickly got more upset, “What?! Why didn’t you tell me sooner? I could have prepared a letter or bought her a gift or something! What the hell?!”

Cashius lifted his hands in defense, “I’m sorry! I’ve been in countless meetings all day and I didn’t get out until an hour ago. Plus I just found this out myself. I quickly got dressed and came looking for you. I’m sorry, I should have sent word or something. Please don’t hate me…”

Iya closed her eyes and took a deep breath, “I don’t hate you Cashius… it’s just you know I’ll give anything to speak to her right now. We all think it’s stupid how she can’t communicate with us already. Who knows how long that’s going to be and I’m not sure when I’m coming back. Since we’re swopping stories and all…”

“Iya please…” Cashius tried to pull Iya in closer to him but she refused. The news was a little hard for her to hear. She hasn’t been able to speak to her mother in over two years. It would have meant a lot to her if she could have at least sent a letter. Cashius felt bad because he knew the feeling. He’ll give anything to speak to his mother again. Before Cashius could try to comfort Iya, the royal guards were standing behind him. He looked over his shoulder and held up his index finger. He grabbed Iya by the arms and leveled down to her height. “I promise you I will tell her how much you love and miss her. You have my word, ok.” Cashius leaned in and gave Iya a small kiss on the forehead. “I promise…”

Iya knew he meant well and thought the news would bring her joy but it didn’t. Cashius already tore her apart from Kal and added salt by being able to see her mother. As Cashius walked away with the royal guards she watched as he disappeared into the crowd around them. Without hesitation Iya still tried to make the best of the night. She quickly returned to the spot where she and Kal were dancing. She still couldn’t find him anywhere.

Iya looked all around until she spotted him and her heart dropped. Cassie and Kal were kissing. She had her arms fully wrapped around his neck, bringing him down to her level. Kal’s hands were by his side the whole time. Iya stood there shocked and unsure what to do. Should she go up to them and say something? No… she thought, that would give it all away. When it rains it pours, so to speak, and Iya felt like if Cashius hadn’t of interrupted this wouldn’t have happened.

The only thing Iya could fathom to do was to walk away. She was confused and upset, defeated even. It took every ounce in her body not to go knock Cassie out. In Iya’s mind she had won… The whole night, the whole secret agenda Iya planned for her and Kal dwindled as fast as she could walk up the stairs. She couldn’t look at them anymore. The bone crushing feeling in her chest reminded her of the former commander Sonya and how she must have felt. All Iya wanted to do was return to her room like she always does and sip wine in her tub. She doesn’t know if she’ll ever try anything like this ever again…