208
Lucy
I had just left my room, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness about the day ahead, when I decided to stop by my mailbox. Amidst the usual stack of random offers and advertisements, one envelope stood out like a radiant gem. It was an invitation and not just any invitation. The words on the envelope were beautifully handwritten, and the paper itself felt like silk to the touch.
As I carefully opened the invitation, I was greeted by a sight that took my breath away. The paper was adorned with intricate drawings, all depicting moonlit scenes and elegant dance poses. It was as if the very essence of romance movie had been put on the page. It was beautiful, and my heart raced as I read the words:
"You are cordially invited to a private dance lesson under the moonlight at the Blood Moon Estate."
A shiver of anticipation ran down my spine. It was from David. He gave me a schedule of times and signed it formally. I could tell he'd written it by hand. There was a scent lingering on the page that made me smile. My face warmed. I felt aglow and light-hearted that he had taken the time to craft something special, something that resonated with the essence of our budding connection.
The Crescent Moon Festival was fast approaching, and this invitation felt like the first step out of the life I had been living and into something full of hope and love and so many other things I didn't think I'd ever get.
I clutched the invitation to my chest, savoring the warmth it brought to my heart. It was more than just an invitation to a dance lesson; it was an invitation to grow closer and to learn about each other.
With any luck, I might get that kiss finally.
I headed out toward the exit.
"Good morning, Lucy," the receptionist said, her eyes glinting with mischief as she glanced at my hands. "Anything exciting in the mail today?"
I scowled. "Don't tease me when you already know..."
"I know it came. I don't know what it says..." She laved over her desk, and I turned away from her, pressing it to my chest. She laughed.
"Oh, please? I'm curious to death."
"You promise you won't tell anyone?"
She smiled. "I can't make promises I'm not going to keep, but I could be persuaded to leave out the details so they won't bother you too much?"
I suppose that was the best I could expect.
I shuffled closer to show her the invitation. She cooed at the pretty silver ink and all the drawings.
"It's beautiful..." She wiggled her eyebrows. "It would happen to be from that tall, handsome hunk who brought you home, hm?"
"His name is David."
"David," she said, grinning at me. "DO go on and spill the rest of your cute little heart."
I huffed. "Not in this lifetime."
She laughed. "We'll see. Private dance lesson, huh? Sounds like a date to me."
"M-Maybe." I looked down. "It's just... dance lessons. For an event, and..."
She winked at me. "Sure, Lucy. Just a dance lesson. Enjoy your 'not-a-date' dates at the Blood Moon Estate."
I headed out to the car Stacy had waiting for me rather than using my Moving Ring. I spent the ride re-reading the letter, letting the excitement build in me. My heart danced in time with the music coming from the radio. I could be free with David, really free and unworried about what he might think of my past, of everything that's happened to me.
He accepted me.
He might even... love me.
Would I be able to handle that? I didn't know what it meant to be loved. Not really, but when I thought of the way he looked at me, I knew that there was no other explanation for it.
It might not be real love, but it was the start of it.
Young love or something like that.
I pulled out my phone and texted him.
Thank you for the invitation. I can't wait.
I hummed as we grew closer to the Academy. When we arrived, I waved goodbye and slipped out, hurrying to class.
Accepting the invitation was an easy decision. Trying to keep focused on my classes was the hard part. My mind kept wandering. I kept wanting to take the invitation out and squeal and giggle like a fool.
By the time I was on my way to my lessons with Duke and Lucian, I was practically skipping through the halls.
The sun had started its descent, casting a warm golden hue through the large windows of the Academy. I hummed and waved at people I recognized as I made my way to the private magical lesson with Lucian and Duke. As I entered the room, I knew that my invitation for a private dance lesson with David was no longer a secret.
Lucian gave me a sly grin and wiggled his eyebrows.
"Lucy, darling, why the radiant smile today?" he asked. "Something good happened today?"
I hesitated for a moment, debating whether or not to tell them, but the mischievous glint in Duke's eyes convinced me otherwise. It was better to tell them than be poked and proddded all afternoon.
Clearing my throat, I couldn't suppress my own grin. "Well, I received a special invitation today."
Duke held out his hand. "Let me see it."
"Why?"
"Because he was very hush-hush about it, and I'm working on getting into Blue's good graces with information she can't get."
He wiggled his fingers, and I pulled it out. Lucian's eyes widened as he saw it.
Duke's eyes widened in surprise as he examined the invitation.
"A private dance lesson at the Blood Moon Estate with dear David, you say?"
Lucian laughed. "What do you think, Uncle Lucian? Are you okay with this?"
I pouted as Lucian took the letter and turned it over. "Just dance lessons, hm? This seems more like a courting gesture to me."
Duke cooed. I felt my cheeks flush. Courting gesture?
Lucian hummed. "Definitely a courting gesture. I'm going to have to have a talk with him."
"Oh, please don't, it's just dance lessons for the Festival!"
I would die of embarrassment.
Lucian winked at me, his tone laden with amusement. "Oh, Lucy, you're dancing with an Alpha. It's never just a dance."
Their teasing may have added to my already heightened nerves, but it also brought a sense of comfort. Duke grinned at me as Lucian moved to stand in the center of the room, his confident posture and shimmering robes exuding an air of authority. A table filled with various magical objects lay before him, each one emanating a distinct energy.
"Let's talk more about courting and invitations after we're done, hm?" Lucian asked.
Duke and I stepped towards the table.
"Now, dear niece and nephew," Lucian began, "today's lesson is about utilizing magical weapons. These items possess an essence all their own, an extension of the wielder's magic."
He gestured to the table, and a pair of weapons floated into the air. A gleaming dagger materialized in front of me, its blade seeming to pulse with an otherworldly light. Duke's weapon, a short sword, hovered beside mine, and both weapons emitted faint, harmonious hums.
"These," Lucian continued, "are a magical dagger and short sword. The key to their use is to synchronize your magic with them."
I watched as Lucian demonstrated with his own weapon, an ornate staff. With a mere thought, he conjured a shimmering figure in the shape of a person.
He waved his staff, and the figure suddenly had a weapon. We watched as he fought the figure. It was amazing. It was like Lucian's staff was a part of him. He moved like water, casting spells and deflecting attacks easily. As we watched, I couldn't help but feel amazed. Would I be able to do that one day?
He stepped back and smiled at me.
"Your turn," Lucian said, a gentle encouragement in his voice.
I took a deep breath, extending my magical senses toward the dagger. It felt cool against my palm, and a connection formed between us. It was a little wary of me. I didn't know what that meant, but it didn't feel like it would run away if a dagger could do that.
"Try to hit it. Think of a target and aim the dagger in your mind. If you send that intention into the blade, it should do it.
I nodded, hoping it worked. I focused on the image of a target in my mind, a practice technique I'd learned during previous lessons.
Throw. The dagger seemed to urge.
With a flick of my wrist, the dagger leaped forward, slashing through the air with surprising speed and precision. My imaginary foe dissipated with a shimmering sigh of energy. "Very good! Duke, you're next. I know Hito has been teaching you a few sword stances, so give them a whirl."
Duke stepped forward. He seemed a little awkward with his swings, but I could see the sparks dancing on the edges of the blade. As we continued to practice, I felt like I was getting closer and closer to the strength I wanted.
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