ware of the tiny possibility. A cacophony of violins and laughter surrounded her

standing directly before her that someone was coming. Her hea

, a deep, strong voice sa

eatures hidden behind a silver-polished mask, as he held two glasses of expensive champ

get these few words out of her mouth w

"You seem to be off with the fairies," he said, h

e," "Well, I have not attended such a grand affair before, this is my first," she admitted. "I must confess, it is

e urges and tensions went

e said, never taking his sight off of her. "Allow me to offer you some relief from th

was something about this man that intrigued her attention. However, she felt an intense attraction to him, as if

mind, she replied "I would be delighted

glances at her mysterious companion. His confident steps and puzzling ch

s immense glory cast a silver glow over the luxurious greenery. The sound of the gravel crunchin

ame to a standstill, sta

w a figure lurking in the shadows wat

out in panic, her heart

figure had vanished into the darkness, lea

asked, her voice ba

hem, as he replied to Ivy, "I'm not sure," he said, his voice tinged with

the feeling that they were being watched. With her senses on high alert, she kept a continual eye on the shadows, but the person that had come

questions. Who had been watching them, and why? And what

nything about her concerns. Ivy turned to see a group of people leaving the bal

ion, Ivy proposed, "We should go back

s even as he nodded his head in agreement. "I

ldn't get rid of the sensation that they had just a

the neighboring bushes before t

antly scanned the shadows, her heart racing, but there was no sign of the figure that had appeared earl

ut, the tension in the air vanis

ough her as she saw her sister emerge from

ly and said, "I could ask you the same thing." "I could not help

compromising situation. "He's just showing

is he?" F

ns in her cheeks. "Oh, this is...." She began

. "Arnold," he said simply with a reserved ton

safe to say nice to meet you?" she re

osphere got strained. Ivy could not get rid of the impression that Arnold was more than just what fir

," Ivy suggested, eager to escape

y saw the mischievous sparkle in her eyes. "

nold's eyes met. The connection between them felt unden

re than just a fleeting encounter. They would surely meet a