Chapter 187 TEIGEN XI
RYKER
I was never a man of such pleasures, I never once fancied the many girls the mamas threw at me on every occasion, but this woman. This lady stole my breath right out of my lungs. It was as if we had been warped into her world where nothing else was even worthy of our attention but her.
The music began, as she danced the anklet bells wove a tinkling tapestry of sounds around her, her movements so fluent, so in sync with the harmonic hues that it was as if it were in her veins, her very essence to move so elegantly. With each step, she seemed to weave a spell of seduction, her sinuous movements hypnotizing the audience.
Her hips swayed like a pendulum, drawing all eyes to her core. Her arms undulated like a serpent, beckoning us closer. Her smoldering eyes flashed like embers, igniting a fire of desire. The air was heavy with anticipation, as if the very darkness itself was alive and pulsing with her rhythm. Every step, every sway of her body left every person gaping. The ethereal echoes bounced off the walls of my mind, branding themselves in my consciousness.
The way she so flawlessly danced, her veil still perfectly unmoved left me in utter awe. We were spellbound, not a single noise escaping the lips of anyone just stunned silence. Then as unexpectedly as we were charmed the music stopped and the dance came to an end. It was as if everyone was stuck in time, the spell she had cast on us all slowly faded and everybody erupted into cheers, screams and shouts, throwing flowers I hadn't realized they picked at their feet. The dancers took a curtsy before gracefully exiting, the music players following right after.
Father shook me out of my daze and I realized my lips were slightly parted still, "Wasn't that just.. "
"Utterly mesmerizing" I completed, staring longingly at the path they had disappeared into, probably where they had set up their tents.
"I'll say. It was so beautiful boy" he let out a breath, running his hand over his beard. "If I was a young lad, I would have been charmed right away. There wasn't such beauty back in my day"
I remained silent, flashes of her beneath my eyelids. "How much are they taking for the show?" I inquire, knowing after such a spectacular performance their wages would not be cheap
"Thankfully they did not give us a fixer aamount, just that they would accept whatever we would offer them" I frowned in thought. What kind of dancers would not want their wage? Father pulled out a pouch, "The townspeople and I gathered this for them"
"I didn't add my contribution" I reached into my pocket but father stopped me midway.
He shook his head, "No need for that. You want to show off how much you have grown but it won't work for me, you will always be the young lad who made me bread"
I smiled, "I'm not so young anymore, father"
"Let me go give this to them" I suggested, watching father's reaction."Okay but hurry back, the feast will start soon" he showed me where the tent was and left me to follow his directions.
In truth I wanted to see if I could catch a glimpse of the veiled dancer. I could not understand why but something about her called to me, demanded my attention. I felt so giddy, my heart dancing around in my chest as I neared the tent. My palms became clammy as I stopped before the open curtain, inside was a bit dark so I moved closer. I peaked in and immediately my eyes fell on her. Her auburn curls cascaded down the length of her body, stopping at her hips. She faced the mirror before her, taking off the jewelry that adorned her neck and gently placing it on the space beside her. I watched quietly like I was stuck in a trance. My eyes scanned her form, her porcelain skin shining under the dim light coming from the candle beside her.
Her full lips were coated with red colour, making them appear edible and for some reason my lips tingled with a foreign sensation. My eyes traveled up and the second I saw her eyes I was truly spellbound. Her orbs, like the Azure whispers of a cloudless sky, like snowflakes gently building up. Her orbs held an electric vibrancy beneath, like the promise of a rainy cloud, capable of unspeakable catastrophe, so hauntingly captivating.
She looked like she was not meant for this world, like a flower warped to live amongst the leaves, like she was only a painting, a holy tapestry we were not worthy of beholding nor laying hands upon. I had never seen such eyes before. My breath caught in my throat once her azure blue eyes met mine, first curiosity and an unknown emotion flashes within their depth then fear tightened her gaze and she gasped loudly, turning her face from my eyes.
"Hey, you!" I turned to the side to see a woman come into my face, blocking my view.
I frowned at the intrusion. Not acknowledging the woman in front of me I proceeded to try look passed her but she came in my way. She snapped her fingers, drawing my attention to her. "You are not allowed back here, sir"
I swallowed nervously, feeling like a child who had been caught stealing treats. I gazed down at my hand, only now feeling the weight of the coins. I pushed them in front of her, smiling awkwardly, "Um, I came to give you this from my fellow townspeople. We all loved the p-performance".
She narrowed her gaze at me, glancing at the pouch before taking it from me. "Thank you for this" she gave me a once over before walking inside and shading the curtains. Feeling defeated but with a spring in my step and a warmth spreading across my chest I walked away to meet Father in front of the town hall.
"Why do you look strange my boy?"I closed my eyes, still able to see her through my lids. I had no idea why it felt like I would see her again, or that this was a first encounter among many but I knew I wouldn't forget her in haste.
"Nothing father. Shall we?"