“So another question, if I may, why did you for that brief moment choose me? Plenty of other women came up to ask you and you turned them away. Yet you agreed to me?”Cilas chuckled as she asked the question, she had every right to ask him, as was only fair. ”The answer to that is simple really,” He paused to as she spun to the music her dress flaring out only to be caught into his arms again. ”I had my eyes on you, just as you had yours on me while we were at the academy.” her cheeks turned bright red again as she tries to avert her gaze away from him, obviously embarrassed by his words.“Y-you noticed this whole time! That’s not fair..” She turned back to him and laughed along side the dragon. “Seems I was too late though, your heart is already taken and hers as well. While it hurts, I am glad the one you love is back.”Cilas looked over at Iona, who was now dancing with Saeldor. He responded with a slight nod. ”Indeed, the hands of fate work in mysterious ways that we can’t comprehend. Seems you were not the only one who has a treasure they just can’t reach out to.” The rest of their dance was silent as the woman just took the time to dance and Cilas with her. He was glad that he was able to mend whatever hurt he caused, he was sure that the woman in his arms would be able to move on from this night. Few minutes later Iona and Saeldor came walking over and Iona asked to cut in.“No need to apologize, I am sure you two have a lot to catch up on anyways.” She turned back Cilas putting a hand upon his chest. “Thank you.””You’re Welcome. May you enjoy the rest of the night Eve.” Her eyes watered up at the sound of her name before she walked away, she had probably thought that Cilas did not even know her name. He then turned to Iona and took her hand in his and lead her closer to the center of the dance floor. He could feel the eyes of the elven last still on him, and her. Cilas had a feeling he was wary of the dragon. He wrapped his arms around Iona’s waist as he lead her in the dance.”it seems your escort has taking a likened to you. Not that I blame him, you seem to capture everyone’s heart.” he said and rested his head upon hers. He wanted to ask how, how she was here so badly but he did not want to bring up pleasant memories. He curiousity though took over his instinct. ”Not that I am complaining, but how…how did you survive. It doesn’t even look like anything has happened to you. Do you even remember any of it?”

Cilas and the maiden said their goodbyes swiftly. Saeldor joined her as she walked away, and Cilas took Iona’s hand. The warmth of his skin instantly made her smile as she was taken deeper into the crowd of dancers. Once they found themselves a suitable place, her arms curled around his neck while his held her tiny waist. The position brought her closer to Cilas than she’d been with Saeldor, allowing her to take in his beauty more clearly. She did not need conversation to be happy. Iona was content being there with him, with their arms around each other, holding them closely. She blinked curiously at the sound of his voice, then momentarily averted her gaze to spot Saeldor standing outside of the dancing area. He was no longer with Eve, only now holding a glass of wine in one hand while he watched her dance with Cilas. “He is a healer. It is only right that he should care for those in his care,” she responded obliviously. It hadn’t occurred to her that he might have fallen for her like Cilas had. When the elf’s eyes met her own, his lips curved smoothly into a lopsided smile, and he raised his glass to her. Her smile grew in response before she looked back up at Cilas.

A quiet hum of delight escaped her lips as he rested his head on hers, and her eyes drifted closed. This was what she wanted the most, to be close to him and never part. It was beautiful to be allowed to hold him without worry, to be surrounded by his warmth and lovely scent. But then, it made her wonder how this might change their relationship. She’d been told that they could only grow closer, but what did that mean? Were they now allowed to do more than hold hands and embrace each other? Very swiftly, she recalled what Cilas had once said about couples who were truly in love. It reminded her of that night in the cabin, what had been done to her, and she suddenly found herself fearful once more. Would Cilas ever want that? He wouldn’t force it upon her, this she knew well. But, she also knew she couldn’t deny him that option forever. It would also be wise to try so that she could heal. Avoiding it will be running from her fear, not fighting it.

Cilas tore Iona from her thoughts with an understandable question, but one she dreaded all the same. Her smile faltered into a sad one, and her eyes dropped to the pendant on Cilas’ chest. “The moment my spirit left this body at the point of my death, I took refuge in a Spirit Opal the hunters used to find me,” she slowly began explaining. Without an outside source to keep her contained, the opal was nothing more than an immovable vessel. And, without eyes and ears that a body has, she could neither see nor hear what happened on the outside. It was like being locked in a room that cut her off from everything. And the only way she could communicate with a being on the outside, was if someone touched the stone. She continued, “When Saeldor found the stone, we were able to communicate through our minds. He took me to where my body had been buried, and he… reassembled it. Then I asked him to submerge my body and the stone into the water.” She paused to move her head out from under his, looking into his eyes. “All water is connected to the Spirit Realm, but it requires a spirit to open it. The task was simple for me, and it allowed me to move from the stone to my body without fearing any harm from the mortal world. And, just like before, my body was healed, remade to the purest state my weak spirit could manage.” She dropped her gaze as she tried forcing back the horrible memories made in that cabin, “But I am not without marks.”