Chasing the Flame

The two factions watched each other from across the ballroom, the air separating them crackling with tension and suppressed fury. It was no mystery that the Wyans and Yani hated each other; six years wasn’t enough to erase the deep scars that war created. Out of the eight factions present, those two were the ones that had always seemed to be at war.

And it was almost always about one thing: love. Or, rather, passions that ran out of hand and stirred up jealousy in others. Because while the Wyans and Yani were the most war hungry, they also were some of the most beautiful people to grace the earth.

Solace watched from the edge of the dancefloor. She wanted to dance, but as the daughter of the Yani ruler, it was up to her to lead by example and dance only with those of their faction. She danced with every male in attendance from the Yani, but now she had ran out and none had held her fancy enough for a repeat dance. But the night was still young, and Solace longed for a partner that possessed the dexterity and appeal she desired. By all accounts, she should be dancing with her betrothed, Amer, but - as handsome as he was - he was as droll as a doll with the same amount of personality.

Even though her father would have lost his head, her eyes kept being drawn over to the Wyans. She knew she should hate them - which she did, to an extent - but she always held a measure of fancanation for the faction that was so much like her own but supposed to be her opposite.

A laugh carried its way over to where she sat, and she found herself enraptured by its owner. It was a young man, possibly in his early twenties, his hair as dark as his face was pale, dressed in a suit that was cut to the latest age of fashion. He was tall, at least three heads taller than anyone in attendance, and it made Solace wonder how she had missed him when she had first arrived. Because he was Wyan, she suddenly realized, and had stayed on what was starting to be known as the “Wyan” side.

“Aren’t they handsome?” a voice whispered into her ear.

Solace jumped, then turned guiltily to the voice, only to realize it was her friend, Calla. Calla was Hunani and didn’t share Yani feelings towards the Wyans. Like most in her faction, Calla just viewed the Wyans as a faction full of gorgeous people and not former - some would say, current - enemies.

Solace giggled softly and said, “I suppose some are.”

Calla leaned in closer and pointed towards the man Solace had noticed moments earlier. “Especially that one.”

Solace jerked Calla’s hand down, not wanting to draw attention. “And he just so happens to be Wyan - so why are you pointing him out to me?”

Calla just rolled her eyes - viewing the Yani and Wyan feud like most of the other factions did; a squabble involving people who just couldn’t put their pride behind and resolve their differences. The Hunani especially found the feud quite humorous.

Calla wasn’t wrong though; the young man was unusually handsome - even for a Wyan.

He was tall, lean, possessing defined features, and…

… walking towards them.

Calla squealed and clutched Solace’s hand like a dying woman. “He’s coming over!”

There was no mistaking his attention; his gaze locked on them - on Solace, his strides long and powerful, with an expression that said he knew exactly what he was doing. His eyes, which Solace was starting to realize were a deep blue, were bright and intense.

He kept walking, ignoring the glares and leers from those around him as he came over to the “Yani” side.

He gave her the customary bow for someone of her status, the smirk on his face turning a should-be regal action to one holding humor and something slightly flirtatious.

He looked her in her eyes and Solace had to think, Yes, definitely flirtatious.

“Would you like to dance,” he asked, making no attempt at small talk or hiding the fact that she was the one he had come over to speak with.

Calla gave her a discreet squease on her arm, encouraging her to accept his request.

But Solace, of course, hesitated. She knew how the whispers would fly if she danced with him. Especially one so young and… luring. Dancing with an older man, from her faction or not, was something that could be seen as almost dutiful, but when she - a young woman betrothed to another - was seen dancing with another man, it raised so many types of eyebrows she had no interest in raising. Imagine what her father would think, dancing with the enemy. And enjoying it too; because she had no doubt she would enjoy being in the arms of this handsome stranger.

Even now, him standing there in front of her, his arm outstretched in an invitation to dance, was drawing attention from many in the Yani faction. Solace watched as Amer caught sight of them, his expression turning several degrees cooler, even though he himself was talking to several young women at once who were obviously attracted to him. No one would rebuke him for that, but because she was a woman, she was sure to collect many tongue lashings from her father and snide looks from others.

So if she was going to get in trouble just for that, why not go all the way?

“I’d love to dance,” Solace found herself saying, standing up to her full height - which was still several heads shorter than the young man.

Even after her encouragement, Calla’s mouth dropped open from the surprise that Solace had indeed accepted the invitation from the Wyan.

But the man’s expression held no such amazement. In fact, Solace suspected that he had held zero doubt that she would accept him. It was possible he had understood that dancing with him couldn’t have caused much more of a stir than just talking together would have brought about. Solace found herself perturbed and fascinated at this young man whom was still nameless to her.

“My name is Lennox,” he said as he lead her to the dancefloor, almost like he had read her mind.

“Solace,” she said.

“I know,” was all he said in response, his unreadable smile never wavering.

“How do you-?”

“It would be a dishonor to not know the name of the daughter of the Yani leader - especially one as captivating as you.”

Solace found herself reddening at the praise, even know she knew it to be nothing more than simple flattery.

The band changed then, from the fast music it had been playing for the past hour to something slow. A waltz, Solace realized, her skin turning hot and cold all at once.

She could dance it no problem, but the amount of flesh that required to touch made Solace wonder if it would cause Amer or her father to step in.

Lennox, reading her mind once again, said, “Afraid?” The small smile on his face suggesting he was making a mockery of her.

Her temper began to flare, and, just to prove him wrong, she pressed herself firmly against him once they were situated on the dancefloor. “Are you?”

His smile turned dangerous, and Solace could tell that he had accepted her silent challenge. “Never.”

He placed a warm hand on her back, choosing - whether by accident or choice - the area where the material on her dress opened to reveal her back. Solace stumbled a little as his thumb ran over her sternum.

His smile turned into a grin and Solace knew that after the next few minutes of this dance, things would never be quite the same.

He inclined his head lower to whisper into her ear. “You’re breathing heavy. Do you need to take a break?” As if on cue, his grip tightened on her back, making her breath hitch.

Two could play this game, Solace thought. The game was dangerous, she knew that, but she just couldn’t help but play along.

Solace pressed herself even more firmly against him, not being able to stuff down the frustration when he did nothing but grin like he thought her attempts were cute but lacking.

“You’re making a scene,” she whispered, inclining her head up so he could hear her better.

“I think you’re the one they’re all looking at,” was his response.

She risked a glance as he spun her away, and he was right; Amer and even her father were both looking at them with something likened to death in their expression.

Solace couldn’t keep away the fear that rose up, and Lennox noticed it. She couldn’t help but be touched when she finally saw something other than flirtatious humor in his expression. Something that she could almost call concern.

But, not wanting to lose a moment Solace knew she could never get back, she smiled and said, “So that’s what you’re afraid of; the Yani.”

His smile returned. “I will never fear a man I don’t know - even a faction as war-hungry as yours.”

Solace wanted to correct him, say both their factions liked war, but she said instead, “Not even my father? He could order your death and it would no doubt be carried out.”

He chuckled, the sound low and appealing to Solace’s ears. “They could try, but my father would never let that happen.”

Solace suddenly found herself interested in the identity of this young stranger. “Your father? Who is he?” He had to be someone with considerable prestige if Lennox thought he could stand up to someone like Solace’s father.

Lennox just spun her out again. “I’m afraid if I told you that, this moment would be as good as over.”

“You think we’re having a moment?” She played it off like he had said a joke, although she had already thought that exact same thing moments ago.

“Of course,” he said. “What do you call it when you feel like the world is standing still and you’re the only two people left on it?”

“A man who reads too many books,” she teased, although she couldn’t help but admit to herself that she felt the same way.

He inclined his head, like he was conceding to her point. “Maybe. But that doesn’t make it any less true.”

This time, Solace didn’t try to object.

The waltz played its final notes then, and Solace knew that the time to face the world and her father was rapidly approaching. But, before it did, she had to ask, “Why did you ask me to dance?”

The waltz ended, but Lennox didn’t let her go and Solace didn’t try to make him.

He leaned in close, flooding her senses with something she didn’t want to ever forget and a warmth she didn’t want to let go of. “You looked lonely and I wanted to see you smile.”

She finally took a step back. “You risk starting another war just to see me smile?”

His flirtatious smile changed then, turning to one Solace could only describe as real. “For you, it’d be worth it.”

Without another word, he turned and walked away, his tall figure quickly absorbed by the large crowd.

He left Solace standing there, wishing he had never came up to her and longing for him to come back.