The Dragon Prince | A Sorpeli Fic | Set Post Arc Three | Find it on Ao3 | Playlist
The first time Soren almost thought he might have felt something was at dusk, and the chandeliers of the great hall cast a warm light down on the dancers that filled it.
It was the annual winter ball, and King Ezran’s court was expected to lead the procession. Soren had spent most of the evening on the dance floor, swaying along to the tune and trading from one hand to another as they circled the floor. By the third dance the faces had all begun to blur together, and by the eighth he’d about run out of small talk. Now he leaned against one of the marble pillars that lined the hall, watching as the others spun round and round and round. His gaze slowly drifted to the stage, where he could see Corvus, armed with his cello, playing with the rest of the orchestra.
The other man’s eyes were closed as he played, concentration written plainly across his face. Soren gave him an encouraging - if a bit nervous - smile even though he couldn't see it. Then he let his gaze drift back to the floor.
Rayla and Callum were still at it, he noted. Though even more notably they had yet to swap out for any other partner. He shook his head fondly. So much for courtly manners. He hadn’t thought it was possible for them to become more attached to one another, but since the wedding they had managed. At least the letters from the other kingdoms asking to introduce their daughters to the charming and magical Prince Callum had finally stopped. Though, Soren mused, they were now sending them to Ezran. The poor kid was in over his head and seemed rather taken aback by all the sudden interest. That was what happened when you turned eighteen and were the king of one of the most well respected and renowned kingdoms in all of Xadia.
Soren still liked saying that word, how it included everybody now. But even more he liked saying Xadians and how that meant Humans and Elves. A new word for a new era.
“Why don’t you go and ask Rayla for a dance?” a familiar voice asked, coming up beside him. Soren glanced over to find Opeli standing next to him, silver circlet reflecting the light of the low hanging, crystal chandeliers.
“Why would I do that?” Soren asked with a little chuckle, surprised.
She gestured to the two lovebirds as they did another turn around the ballroom. “It will force Callum to dance with one of the many other people who have approached me tonight asking for his hand.”
Soren laughed at that. “I think you’re out of luck there.”
“I know,” she sighed. “But I am getting rather tired of young princesses coming up to me and asking if I know of any eligible Katolian bachelors.”
“Just tell them that even if Callum was a bachelor, he would not be eligible.”
Opeli shook her head and gave a little laugh. “I don’t think they’d believe me. Shall I send them your way?” she asked, giving him a small glance. He knew the real question. Are you alright here by yourself?
“Maybe not just yet,” Soren began, deciding halfway through the sentence that he didn’t feel like talking about it just then. “I’d hate to steal them all from Ezran.”
She let out an even heavier sigh. “That poor boy.”
“It does suck having the entire kingdom fawning over you,” Soren said, nodding his head sagely. “Speaking from experience, I mean.”
Opeli rolled her eyes. “Yes. I’m sure.”
“Are you doubting my allure?” Soren asked, placing a hand to his chest in mock offense. “I am deeply offended.”
“Allure?” Opeli asked, raising an eyebrow at him.
“I read it in a poem. Did I use it right?”
She smiled, nodding. “Yes. I believe it had the desired effect.”
Soren grinned. “Great. I’ve been waiting for a chance to whip that one out. Figured I should wait for the right company.”
There it was again, that little half-laugh that he was always trying to pull out of her. Opeli had enough on her plate, she deserved to let her hair down every once in a while and enjoy a good laugh. Plus, he liked the way her nose wrinkled when she did it.
“I’m honored to have been deemed ‘the right company’ then,” she said.
“No better company in the entire castle,” Soren informed her before leaning in conspiratorially to whisper in her ear; “Don’t tell Bait I said that.”
Again, the little half-laugh. She shook her head. “Your secret is safe with me.”
A new song began, and Corvus glanced up at where the band was playing once again. They must not have needed Corvus just then, because he was leaning over the side of the stage, talking to Terry. The Earthblood Elf was fully decked out in Katolian reds and golds, he looked great. Soren felt a pang of jealousy and quickly quelled it.
It was for the best. It had been mutual. It was for the best.
“I love this song,” Opeli said from his side, pulling his attention from the stage.
“Why don’t you go out there, shake your hips a little bit.”
The High Cleric waggled an incredulous eyebrow at him. “Is that how you speak to a devotee of Lady Justice?” For a moment Soren was worried he’d actually offended her, but then her face melted into a smile. “And anyway, this is a couples song. The dances all require a partner.”
Soren’s gaze flashed back to the stage. Corvus was climbing off of it, taking Terry’s hand as they wove through the crowd. He looked back to Opeli, taking a step out onto the dance floor as he offered her his hand.
“Then may I have this dance? After all, what is a little hip shaking between friends?”
Opeli snorted; a real, full laugh this time. She shook her head, but took his hand. “One dance.”
“Sure. One.” He winked at her, leading the way out into the center of the ballroom.
Opeli followed him, footsteps quick and nimble as they joined the throng and began to sway gently along to the music. She placed a hand on his shoulder, and after hesitating for a moment, Soren placed one on her hip. It was a simple dance, one he knew by heart after years of being part of the royal court, and he was able to just listen to the music and let his feet follow the familiar pattern.
“This is rather enjoyable,” Opeli admitted, after a moment. She’d said it so quietly that Soren wondered if she’d meant to say it aloud at all.
“Dancing is pretty great,” he agreed, glancing down at her. She was pretty good at it, too. She’d only stepped on his foot once so far (which was certainly better than some people he’d danced with that night). “You’ve been holding out on me, Peli.”
She laughed, eyes sparkling. “I have been a part of the royal court far longer than you, Soren.”
“Yeah, but I’ve never seen you dance before.”
“I will admit I retired from the ballroom earlier than I might otherwise have,” she conceded, “had I not entered the Church of Our Lady Justice.”
Soren hadn’t really thought about Opeli having a life before or beyond the church before, if he was being honest. But now, circling the dance floor with her, he could imagine it. He thought me might have liked to see it.
The song ended, and all the dancers came to a halt. Opeli went to let go of Soren’s hand, but he kept hold of it.
“One more?” he asked.
She stared up at him for a moment, a curious look crossing her face.
“One more,” she agreed.