Dancing in Fire

Dancing in Fire Part 1

A cool spring breeze blew through the garden.  Cassandra and Octavia, both of whom were seated at the small cast-iron table, watched Princess Adelaide as she paced back and forth on the winding stone path, her fingers entwined with one another to form a sweaty, clammy clutch.  A water droplet rolled down the side of the lemonade pitcher as Octavia picked it up to pour herself another glass.

"It won't be so bad," said Octavia trying to ease Adelaide's nerves.  "We know he's young, handsome. What more can you ask for?"

"Easy for you to say. You're already married," replied Cassandra.

"Thus, making me the wisest among us,"  stated Octavia rather matter-of-factly. 

"It's not him I'm worried about," interrupted Adelaide.  Beads of sweat were forming at her temples as the time of meeting drew closer. "I'm a completely awkward mess of a human."

"Can't deny that," said Cassandra.  She watched as Adelaide's expression sunk deeper into despair.  "But you're our completely awkward mess of a human,"  Cassandra smiled.  "And if he can't accept that, perhaps I'll just have to marry you myself."

"Perhaps," replied Adelaide, as though she were seriously considering the proposition.  "Or, perhaps I'm just doomed to die alone," she sulked.

Before Cassandra could reassure Adelaide that this was not the case, that, being princess, her parents would forbid even the mention of Adelaide remaining unwed, the entrance door to the garden opened.

"Your highness.  Ladies," said the man as he bowed his head.  "They're here."

Cassandra rose from her seat.  Octavia nearly bolted upward from hers with excitement.  Adelaide's feeling of dread was replaced with an even bigger feeling of dread that left her nearly immobilized.  Octavia rushed to her aid, grabbed her arm, and dragged her unwilling victim back into the palace.  

"Aidan, why the formality?" Cassandra smirked as she made her way back indoors.  A slight smile slipped across Aidan's face.  "Well, given the princes of the neighboring kingdom are coming to visit, I ought to be on my best behavior, don't you think?"

"Hmm, you're right, you ought to be."

"Shall I escort the daughter of the marquis on her way to meet the princes?"

"You shall," replied Cassandra coyly as Aidan took her hand in his.