The Fae King's Chosen

Chapter 10 - A Dance with Destiny

The ball, to Alessia's surprise, was more enjoyable than she’d anticipated. After the overwhelming introductions and formalities, she found herself swept up in the rhythm of the evening. The music was enchanting, the food otherworldly, and the fae around her, though clearly intrigued by her presence, were more welcoming than she had expected.

Caelorn appeared at her side, as if summoned by her growing unease. His golden eyes, always steady and calm, offered a brief respite from the overwhelming atmosphere of the ball.

"How are you holding up?" he asked quietly, his voice low enough to be heard over the murmur of the crowd.

Alessia gave a small, humorless laugh. "I’m surviving."

Caelorn’s lips twitched into the faintest of smiles. "That’s all anyone can ask for at a gathering like this."

She glanced around the room, her eyes sweeping over the gathered fae. Each of them seemed to represent a different layer of expectation, of hope or doubt, all centered on her. "It feels like I’m being judged from every angle," she admitted. "Like I’m a piece of meat on display."

Caelorn nodded, his gaze following hers. "You’re not wrong. This ball may be in your honor, but it’s also a test. The factions want to see how you handle yourself, how you interact with the fae. And more importantly, they want to see who might catch your interest."

Alessia frowned. "I didn’t come here to be courted."

"No," Caelorn agreed. "But the prophecy speaks of a choice—a mate who will help you restore balance to the realm. The fae are eager to see who that might be."

Alessia’s stomach tightened at the thought. The idea of choosing a mate—especially in a world she barely understood—felt impossible. How could she make such a decision when she didn’t even know where she stood?

Aleron had returned at some point, handing her a goblet filled with a sweet, sparkling drink that fizzed pleasantly on her tongue. "You should try the fruit," he said, gesturing to a nearby table laden with glowing, multicolored fruits. "They’re infused with fae magic. Just don’t eat too much, or you might end up dancing all night without realizing it."

Alessia raised an eyebrow but couldn’t resist the temptation. She popped a small, pearlescent fruit into her mouth and smiled as the sweetness burst across her taste buds. "It’s delicious," she said, looking up to find Aleron watching her with a curious intensity. He quickly averted his gaze, his face flushing slightly.

"You’ve been the talk of the evening, Lady Alessia," he said, trying to compose himself. "The first woman to walk among us in centuries... it’s not something we ever imagined would happen in our lifetime."

Alessia gave him a small smile, though the weight of his words pressed down on her. She still wasn’t used to being seen as some sort of mythical figure. But for tonight, she decided to push that feeling aside and try to enjoy herself.

As the night wore on, she found herself being pulled into more dances, each one more vibrant and energetic than the last. Eran was a charming partner, spinning her gracefully across the dance floor, while Elion, though more serious, led her in a dance that felt almost like a challenge, his sharp green eyes watching her every move as though assessing her worth.

Despite the attention from her suitors, Alessia found herself laughing more than she had in days. The fae world was strange and overwhelming, but there was something undeniably magical about being part of such an extravagant event. For a moment, she allowed herself to get lost in the music, the laughter, and the swirl of glittering gowns and gleaming armor.

But even as she smiled and danced, Alessia couldn’t shake the feeling of being watched. Every so often, she’d glance across the room and catch sight of Oberon, standing at a distance, his eyes locked on her. He never approached, never interrupted, but his presence was like a shadow that lingered at the edges of her awareness.

It wasn’t that he was angry—at least, not openly. But there was a tension in the way he watched her, a dark intensity that made her skin prickle. It was as if he was struggling to keep his emotions in check, his jealousy simmering just beneath the surface.

At one point, as Alessia twirled in the arms of another suitor, she caught Oberon’s gaze. His jaw was clenched, his fists subtly flexing at his sides. He didn’t move, but the look in his eyes spoke volumes. She could feel the weight of his unspoken emotions pressing against her, even from across the room.

When the dance ended, Alessia excused herself, feeling the need for a moment of respite. She slipped out onto the balcony, the cool night air a welcome contrast to the warmth of the ballroom. Leaning against the railing, she took a deep breath, letting the tension of the evening melt away for a moment.

But she wasn’t alone for long.

"You’re enjoying yourself," came a low, familiar voice from behind her.

Alessia turned to find Oberon standing in the doorway, his expression carefully neutral, though his eyes told a different story. He stepped onto the balcony, his presence filling the space around her.

"I am," she replied, trying to keep her voice light. "I didn’t expect to, but... it’s been a nice distraction."

Oberon’s gaze flicked to the ballroom behind her, where the suitors were still mingling, their laughter and music drifting out into the night. "A distraction," he repeated, his tone flat.

Alessia frowned, sensing the shift in his mood. "Is something wrong?"

For a moment, Oberon didn’t respond. He looked out over the gardens, the moonlight casting a soft glow over his features. When he finally spoke, his voice was tight with barely restrained emotion. "You’ve spent most of the evening with them."

Alessia blinked, caught off guard by the accusation in his tone. "You told me this was an event for them to get to know me," she pointed out, her voice tinged with frustration. "I’m just trying to do what’s expected of me."

Oberon’s eyes flashed, and for the first time, Alessia saw the depth of his jealousy. "That doesn’t mean I have to like it."

His words hung in the air between them, heavy with unspoken meaning. Alessia’s heart raced as she met his gaze, her breath catching in her throat. The tension that had been building all night seemed to crystallize in that moment, the distance between them suddenly feeling too small, too charged.

"You’re jealous," she said quietly, more a statement than a question.

Oberon didn’t deny it. His jaw tightened, and he stepped closer, his presence overwhelming. "You’re the key to this realm’s future, Alessia. Every fae in that room wants a piece of you."

Alessia’s chest tightened at his words. "And what about you?" she whispered. "What do you want?"

For a long moment, Oberon said nothing. The air between them was thick with unspoken desire, the pull between them undeniable. His eyes burned into hers, and she felt something stir deep within her—a spark, a connection that went beyond mere attraction.

"I want what’s best for my realm," he said finally, his voice low and rough. But the look in his eyes told her there was more to it than that—so much more.

Alessia held his gaze, her heart pounding in her chest. She could feel the weight of the moment, the intensity of Oberon’s emotions pressing down on her. But before she could respond, the sound of laughter from the ballroom broke the tension, reminding them both of where they were.

Oberon took a step back, his expression carefully guarded once again. "Enjoy the rest of your evening, Lady Alessia," he said, his voice cool and formal once more. "I’ll see you when the festivities are over."

With that, he turned and left, leaving Alessia alone on the balcony, her heart still racing from the intensity of their encounter.

As she watched him disappear back into the ballroom, Alessia couldn’t help but wonder if Oberon’s jealousy was more than just possessiveness. There was something deeper at play—something that tied them together in ways neither of them fully understood yet.