Misha the Beast Tamer.

I was happy to see Aqila and Stefan get along so well. We all ate our fill and by the end of the dinner we all felt too stuffed full of food to want to dance. Nonetheless, we were herded into the ballroom, once we were all inside the room the ball was officially opened by the headmaster. Then music filled the room and the dancing began.

I chose to do the first dance with Stefan. He was honoured and happily agreed to dance with me. Once that dance was finished, Stefan left me with my next dance partner and took a seat at the side of the ball room. A group of servants wandered around carrying trays of wine to offer to the adults, as some watched us and other's joined in and danced.

As Stefan had predicted I was busy trying to get through the many suitors wanting to dance with me. I refused many offers of courtship, gifts, and kisses. To my surprise, Erik even requested a dance with me. His soft hands encased my small hands and his arm rested comfortably on my waist.I noticed Aqila watching him like a hawk, making sure he did not try anything. As I expected he didn't try anything and was a very good dancer.

I noticed while dancing with Erik that some of the girl's were watching me as intensely as Aqila was watching him. Their intense gazes made me feel uncomfortable, so much so that I was relieved when our dance ended and yet another suitor took Erik's place.

As I continued to dance, I caught a few glimpses of Aqila taking wine from the servants and drinking them on more than one occasion. I started to worry that she would get drunk and make a fool of herself. I tried to get Stefan's attention, but he was busy being the social butterfly that he was and chatting away with Erik, smiling and laughing together like old friend's. I couldn't escape the suitors.

As time dragged on, my feet ached and my body became tired. I hoped that the ball would end very soon. To my relief the announcement of the last song blared around me. To my relief I had no further suitors to please. I made my way over to where Stefan was sitting, but I couldn't see Aqila anywhere, that was until I felt a hand tap me on the shoulder, I turned to see Aqila with her hand out,

"Please, Princess will you do the honour of dancing the last dance with me?" She said, her breath smelt of wine. She was drunk or at least a bit tipsy. I sighed and took her hand in mine.

We just made it to the floor before the song started to play, it was a slow, romantic song. To my surprise Aqila took the lead and she danced very well. She was taller than I, she put her hand on my waist and she pulled me in close. We danced, we got a few disapproving stares but that was it. Once the ball concluded, I was tired and relieved to be going back to my room to get some sleep. I grabbed Aqila's hand and led her to our room. She was drunk, I didn't know how badly until the song finished and she could barely stand without swaying and when she talked, her word's were slurred.

When we reached the room and I closed the door behind us. Aqila would not let go of my hand. I led her to her side of the room. I managed to free my hand from hers, and took her justacorps off and started to unbotton her waistcoat. She was too intoxicated to undo such tiny buttons. I had just undid her third button, when she grabbed my hand leant in and kissed me.

It was not a light peck or a quick kiss, it was long, passionate and messy. I stepped back shocked, with a half smile on her face Aqila whispered,

"You looked so beautiful tonight Princess. But you always look beautiful. Even when you wear that bland uniform. When I first met you, you took my breath away. You're not just beautiful on the outside, you're also caring, innocent, naive, and also strong. I've liked you ever since I first met you.I wanted to tell you, but I couldn't. "

I was still in shock, she pulled me in and hugged me. I let her, once she stopped, I proceeded to continue undoing the buttons on her waistcoat. I sat her on the bed, removed her socks and shoes. She was left wearing a white shirt and her cream breeches. I encouraged her under the covers, encouraged her on her side, once she was settled, she held my hand as I gently kissed her on the head.

"Good night, Aqila." I whispered

She replied,

"Good night, my beautiful Princess. I love you."

I patted her hand and left. I peeled off my clothes, took the combs from my hair and wiggled into my night dress. I was still in a state of shock. If what Aqila said was true it complicated things, and if it was true, I had no idea she felt this way about me. There were no sign's, she didnt flirt, she focused on school work and I thought she couldn't stand me, that was until tonight.

As I tried to sleep all I thought about was Aqila and how I was going to ask her if what she said tonight was true. Soon it was dawn and our room filled with its soft white light. I managed to get to sleep, but it was not for long and it was not satisfying.

I left to have breakfast with Stefan, I checked in on Aqila and she was still fast asleep.

I arrived at Stefan's door and gave it a loud knock. There was some shuffling and a muffled voice said,

" I won't be long darling, just give me a sec." I heard some dragging and shuffling across the floorboards.

I waited. Stefan finally exited the door. I gasped in surprise Stefan looked awful.

"Are you okay Stefan?...You don't look well" I added.

Stefan moaned,

"Sorry Princess, I had too much wine last night. I'm feeling it this morning."

I smiled,

"Well, that will teach you. But you're not the only one who is suffering. Once Aqila wakes, she'll feel exactly the same."

I sofly grabbed his arm and we headed to the dining hall. As we pushed on the heavy double doors and took our spot at one of the long tables, I looked up to the door and my heart beat wildly, a lump formed in my throat, I felt lightheaded, and I broke out in a sweat. I had managed to look up at the exact time and connect eyes with Simon. I stopped eating and felt as if I would bring up breakfast. I felt as if my skin was crawling with thousands of invisible ants. As he always managed to do, Stefan picked up on my sudden change of mood.

"What's wrong Princess? Do you wish to leave and we'll go for a walk and talk?" Stefan whispered as he held my hand lightly.

Fighting back tears, and as my lip trembled uncontrollably. I managed to answer with a whispered

"Yes."

He sensed the urgency and as soon as we were out of the dining hall and out of sight and ear reach of the other student's, I burst out crying. My whole body shook, my breathing became erratic and I was hyperventilating.

Stefan's voice calmed me.

I told him everything, even told him that Aqila saved me. As the story progressed, Stefan became angrier and angrier. By the time I finished, he was the angriest I had ever seen him. He pulled me in close and held me tightly in his arms. I begged him to not do anything stupid or impetuous. He struggled to give me an answer. We wandered through the school grounds, until we both settled. I showed him the building I was kept in for two weeks and we even managed to find the gaol.

By the time we finished, I felt exhausted. I chose to not return to the hall and just went back to my bedroom. Stefan did return, he wanted to thank Aqila for saving me.