Once I grasped his hand the band began to play a tune I was familiar with. The song was called A Dance Under the Stars. An uplifting melody that brought joy to my heart.

I gave him a gentle bow before I placed my hand on his left shoulder. “Follow my lead.” I whispered beneath my breath.

I began to move my feet gracefully along the beats of the music. Left. Right. Left. Right. I swayed my body ever so gently and whispered “I’m going to twirl into you.” I led him on the spin as I could tell he was nervous. This was clearly his first dance.

The twirl was done gracefully and elegantly to the flow of the music. One spin. Two spin. Three spun and fell into his embrace gently. His body kept on moving to the beat of the music. A bit rough around the edges for his steps but I felt my ability made the dance look effortless.

“Here in a few beats there will be a dip.” I whispered to him as I twirled away from his body. I knew this song well enough to know the perfect spot for the dip which I just hoped he wouldn’t drop me.

I spun into him one more time, giving him a side glance to alert him it was time. Thankfully, he picked up what I meant and the dip went smoothly.

From there I released his hand and did a few dance movements on my own. My gentle movements matched the speed and tempo of the medley that hummed in the air around me. Bending forward and moving backwards. Leaping ever so gracefully and landing with ease.

My heart began to race as the music beat reached its crescendo and my movements became quicker and more elegantly. I glanced over at Marcel as I twirled and he had stopped somewhere mid dance and seemed captivated by my own skill set.

As the crescendo descended, and the song was coming to a close I moved gracefully over to Marcel. Grabbing his hand one more time and slowly danced to the remainder of the song.

As the chords slowed and stopped the crowd erupted in a cheer. My heart pounded in my chest. My body is covered in sweat. And through all of this, somehow Marcel had found his way to my lips one more time.

Catching me off guard I stood stunned. I didn’t know how to react as I was still living off the high of the dance. He narrowed his eyes on mine and whispered softly, “you can kiss me back.”

To which, I didn’t hesitate. I just responded and kissed him back. I felt like I didn’t have much of a choice in this situation.

I didn’t like the kiss. I hated it. Just like how I hated the first kiss I shared with him.

Maria! I heard Théoden voice shout through the bond. He sounded panicked, worried, and concerned. I lost you for a moment. What happened?

He made me kiss him. I said with fear and worry in my voice.

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Are you alright otherwise?

I think so. I just want to go home. I cried to him. I was tired of Marcel’s tricks for the day. I hated being here. I hated being here without Théoden.

“Let’s hear it for our future Queen and King!” Crimson shouted to the crowd. The crowd erupted in a cheer one more time before Marcel, Crimson, and I walked off stage.

I stared blankly at the ground as I was tired of getting caught up in Marcel’s damn compulsion. “That dance was wonderful, you two.” Crimson said as she embraced us both.

“I couldn’t agree more.” Marcel breathed, “Crimson you and I have a few things to do. You do as you wish, Maria.” Marcel hugged me before he left.

I remained standing in the same spot when Quinn and Brienne walked over to me. “Maria?” Quinn questioned, “Are you alright?”

“I just want to go home.” I whispered. Théoden?

In an instant Théoden stood before me, “Let’s get all five of you home, shall we?”

All four guards moved towards us and I buried myself against Théoden and I started to cry. I didn’t care if anyone else saw, I just couldn’t take any more of it.

Just as quickly as he arrived he teleported us all back to the comfort of Winterfall’s grand hall. Once we touched the ground he wrapped his arms around me. “It’s alright Maria, you are safe.”

I looked up at him with tears streaming down my face, “I’m sorry.” I whispered between sobs.

“It’s alright Maria. It wasn’t your fault. None of that was.” He held me tighter as the sobs grew and fell silent.

“Did you get…” I whimpered in his chest.

“Yes. I have the necklace.” He reached into his bag of holding with one hand while the other remained wrapped around me. He pulled out a black velvet box and waited for me to calm down before opening it.

“It’s beautiful.” I said as I stepped back from his chest and saw the stunning piece of enchanted jewelry. What he shone me was a necklace that had a black silver chain that contained a blue crystal heart. The heart pulsed with magic as he placed it gently against my neck, closing the clasp that held it together.

“This should protect you from his mind manipulation tactics. It may be too late to protect the secret of the bond but at least I know you will be safe with this around your neck.” Théoden bent down and kissed my forehead gently.

“Thank you dear.” I said with a sniffle. “What will we do about the bond?”

“There isn’t much we can do about that now. I’m afraid they know and they may start to utilize that against us. Especially when he sees that his mind compulsion doesn’t work on you any more.”

“Then I just need to train more. So I can be ready when the time comes.” I said with a boost of confidence through my tear stained eyes.

“If that is what you wish, then we shall do that.” Théoden said. He glanced around the room and saw that all of his guards had eventually dispersed to do rounds. “Then let’s do some combat training tonight. I’ll rope Quinn into it as well. Rest until then Maria.” Théoden began to move towards the door. He had to get back to work and he didn’t want to take a chance on anyone seeing us both there. I just hoped no one but the guards saw us embracing each other.

I nodded, “Alright and Théoden?”

“What is it, Maria?” He asked me as he continued to move towards the door.

“I love you.”

“I love you too.”

I watched him leave and I too soon found myself heading up the spiral staircase to my bedroom. Once I was in it, I locked the wooden door and immediately began to undress. Once undressed, I slipped on a shirt of Théoden's and curled in a ball on my bed and began to cry once more.