“Come on, move!” I yelled, knocking the glass of water off my desk.

  Elemental Theory and Applied Elemental had quickly become two of my most paralyzing classes. Facing Mara and her continuous taunting left me unable to use my water magic. At least I thought that it was Mara, but maybe it was just me. Magical combat and defense hadn’t been too bad though.

  “Aries?” Eros called, knocking on my door.

  “Coming.”

  I rolled off my bed, making small splashing noises as I made my way across the room and leaving water footprints across the floor from my temper tantrum.

  “Ahhhh!”

  “Are you okay in there?”

  “Yeah,” I said, finally opening my door.

  “Woah, what happened here?”

  “Long story.”

  “Well, maybe you can tell me at the dance?”

  “What do you mean? “I asked.

  “I mean, that if we go together, you can tell me all about it.”

  “When is it?”

  “Tonight?”

  “Right, crap.” I’d forgotten it was Friday. “Eros, that’s really nice of you, but I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

  “Why?”

  “My dad…everyone, you know?”

  “I don’t get it.”

  “I’m not allowed to mix with anyone, Eros, not another Tartarean, and most definitely not a Mesial,” I admitted. “What would people think if we went together? If it got back to my father, he would kill me.”

  “Oh, I suppose I do get it, well, can I at least walk you to the dance, you know as friends?”

  “That seems okay,” I agreed.

  If I was being honest with myself, Eros was super attractive, but that was a line that I couldn’t cross with my family or the other Tartarean judging my every move.

  “Meet you outside in an hour?”

  I frowned, “What's the dress code?”

  “I think it's whatever represents your house, I think?”

  “So, you’re not sure either?” I laughed.

  “Nope, but why don't we do black tie?” Eros suggested. “We can be completely overdressed together?”

  “Why not?” I agreed. My mother must've packed an evening dress somewhere.

  As soon as Eros left I sprang into action. I showered, curled my hair, and finished doing my make-up, ending it off with a beautiful A-line princess gown from my cupboard. The white lace fitted beautifully over my tanned body, making my purple hair and features pop. I wanted to feel excited, to feel like I was going to have fun, but the idea of any of this getting back to my father weighed heavy on my shoulders. Nothing was simple.

  By the time my watch vibrated to let me know that my time was up, I was heading out to meet Eros.

  “Holy shit,” Eros gasped.

  I descended the stairs, following his deep brown and blue eyes locked on my dress. He was dressed in a black tuxedo, with his curly brown hair neatly tied into a bun. We stared at each other for a few seconds before either of us spoke.

  “Seriously, Aries, you look incredible,” he gushed.

  “Thank you, Eros, so do you.”

  Luckily the night sky hid the crimson color that was spreading across my cheeks.

  “Shall we?” Eros held out his arm.

  I hesitated, but chose not to overthink what was happening. I hooked my arm into his, following his lead as we walked down the stone steps towards the Hiems exit.

  “We’re just going as friends.”

  “I know,” I whispered.

  “Then why don't I hear you breathing?”

  I gave him a weak smile. This was all new to me. “I don't get much out.”

  “Ever been to a dance?”

  “Nope, this will be my first one,” I confessed.

  “I feel honored then.” Eros gave me a little bow. “Could I ask you a personal question?”

  The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

  “I think so.”

  “Why don't you mix with the other Tartarean fae?”

  “Their families don't really like mine,” I said. “At least, I think that's why none of them like me.”

  “Isn't it hard?”

  “A little,” I admitted.

  “All fae in Equipoise are pretty close, there’s not a lot of competition.”

  “Why didn't you go with another Mesial tonight?” I asked.

  “I don't know,” Eros said, shrugging his shoulders, visibly shy.

  We turned the corner to head towards the Tranquil Gardens. The enchanted lanterns stretched across the night sky, lighting it up in the most magical way. There was a huge arch made up of various colored flowers acting as the main entrance to the dance.

  “Wait till you get inside, it seems quiet now, but it's all enchanted,” Eros said, with an excited grin on his face.

  “Not only does she suck at her element, but she’s a traitor to her own kind too,” Mara snarled.

  Eros and I, both looked around in unison, finding Azriel, Rafe, Mara, and Khai glaring at us. Both Khai and Rafe were dressed formally, like Eros. Azriel looked angelic with her white hair, grey gown, and high heels. Mara reminded me of someone, but I couldn't quite place my finger on who. Her dark hair, and red lips, matched her deep wine-red dress.

  “Mara, just leave it,” Rafe said tensely.

  “Have fun at the dance, traitor,” Mara muttered, pulling Rafe closer.

  The four of them shifted past us through the flower arch.

  “I’m sorry,” Eros said.

  “For what?”

  “For suggesting we go together,” he shrugged.

  “It’s not your fault.”

  “Right, well if it makes you feel any better I don't think we’re overdressed,” Eros joked and my mouth curled into a smile.

  Walking through the arch was spectacular. There were magical enchantments all over the place. Small waterfall centerpieces on every table, snow flurries on the dance floor in between songs, sunshine at the photo booth, and the most beautiful spring flowers decorated the sky, holding up the lanterns.

  “Try and have a little bit of fun,” Eros said, nudging my shoulder softly. “Do you want to give the dance floor a whirl?”

  I thought about it for a split second, doubting every answer, before looking over at everyone laughing and smiling on the dance floor.

  “You don't have to, just thought I'd ask,” Eros said, fidgeting with his tie, and then running his hand through his curly brown hair.

  “Actually, I'd love to.”

  Eros reached for my hand, sending small electric currents through my body as he led me towards the dancefloor. I’d never danced with a guy, let alone someone that I wasn't allowed to be dancing with. Eros placed his hand on my lower back, leading us to the rhythmic sounds of the soft song ringing through the air.

  “Look at you, you rebel, dancing with a Mesial,” he teased, whispering in my ear.

  I shook my head. “No.”

  “I have to admit, I feel like a rebel too, because no one is dancing with another realmer.”

  I looked around the room. There were more eyes on us than I expected there to be.

  “Just go with it, we’re just two friends dancing,” Eros added, picking up on my nervousness.

  “I’ll do my best.”

  Oriel was dancing with a guy with blond hair, her smile bringing a warm feeling to my core. Rafe and his squad were all muttering grumpily at the table where Hiems students were marked to sit. And here I was, talking and dancing with a Mesial.

  Another Mesial interrupted our dance, softly tapping Eros on the shoulder, “Eros, sorry to interrupt, we need some help with the lantern vines.”

  “Right now?”

  “If you could spare some time,” the guy said, looking desperate.

  “Aries, I’m so sorry, I’ll catch up with you later?”

  “Sure, thank you for the dance.”

  As soon as Eros left, I moved away from everyone to find my seat number on a seating chart. I walked past four small groups made up of fae from every realm on the dance floor. I couldn't help but notice Mara smirking at me as I walked over to the table I was assigned, her cold stare making me shift uncomfortably.

  “Aries, why don’t you come to sit with me?” Oriel asked, popping out of nowhere, blocking my way.

  “What?”

  “Come sit at my table,” she suggested.

  Oriel’s eyes darted around behind me. She was acting weird. Well, weirder than normal.

  “Oriel, I’m not in the mood for this, everyone is already staring at me. Not only can I not do elemental magic, but I'm a traitor of my own kind,” I muttered. “I just want to sit and get the night over with.”

  I side-stepped Oriel, walking up to my table. Just as I was about to sit on my chair, Oriel pushed me hard and I hit the floor. Everything happened so fast, the sound of splashing water, and loud gasps over the sound of music. Oriel was seated on my chair, completely soaked from head to toe, water muffling her screaming as it choked down her throat. Oriel was unable to breathe, and I was unable to stop it. Water poured over her entire body from the sky. I pushed her off the chair, breaking whatever magic held her in place.

  “Oriel,” I stuttered, unable to find words to convey what was going through my mind as she took big gasps of air, her make-up running down her face.

  I looked around the room, “Whoever did this, thought almost drowning someone would be funny!?”

  “It’s okay, Aries, I always thought I looked better wet, anyway,” she said, her voice breaking softly. “Nothing to see here.”

  Oriel got up, looking around the room, ignoring the wide eyes of close-by students watching her. Mara and Azriel were whispering to one another, horror filled my body as I realized none of this was ever meant for Oriel, it was meant for me. She had saved me from it.

  “I better go get cleaned up.”

  By the time I found my feet Oriel was gone, and all I was left with, was an overwhelming feeling of guilt. Everyone had slowly gone back to normal, like nothing had happened, with Mara, Rafe, Azriel, and Khai moving to another table. Rafe was whispering something to Mara, glancing back at me every second or third word. He must’ve been in on it, a sinking feeling of betrayal filled my body.

  “What happened?” Eros asked, rushing over to where I was standing.

  “She pushed me out of the way.”

  “Who?”

  “Oriel…”

  “Why?” Eros asked, frowning.

  “I don't know,” I said. Why would Oriel do that for another realmer? Why would she do that for me? “She could’ve drowned, Eros, the water held her in place.”

  “Poor Oriel,” Eros whispered.

  “I have to go, Eros.”

  I weaved through the crowd, needing to find Oriel to ask her why she’d done it, why she would put herself through that for me.

  “Oriel?” I called into the dark as I ran on the cobblestones.

  I narrowed my eyes trying to see if I could spot her in the dark, but I came up empty handed. I opened the school map to find the way to her dorm.

  “Aries wait up,” Eros called.

  “I have to find Oriel, Eros.”

  “Her dorm is that way.” He said, pointing behind me. “Do you want me to come with you?”

  “No, I have to talk to her alone.”

  “Who did this?” he asked angrily.

  “Mara and her little group,” I growled, anger rising in my body.

  “Go find Oriel, make sure she’s okay.”