[center][h1][color=#8A2D28]Saiya[/color] & [color=0054a6]Amir[/color][/h1][/center] [hr] While standing and talking with Nahir, Saiya almost missed when her number was called. She hadn’t expected it to happen so quickly. [color=#8A2D28]”I suppose I shouldn’t leave my dance partner waiting too long, nor should you. Go have some fun with a dance or two, Nahir.”[/color] She gave the woman a smile before setting her wine glass down and headed towards the front of the ballroom. Her bare feet made very little sound as she made her way through people, the only noise coming from her was the jingling sound of the bangles on her wrists. She soon found herself glancing around, waiting to see who she would dance with. Amir’s eyes were always on the move. Even while conversing with Lady Vikena and Verrick, he scanned the ballroom continuously. He kept tabs on where his siblings, father and Vizier were located. Some ingrained instinct or perhaps the patriarchal idea that the oldest is to protect the young made him ensure that all was well. The twin would vehemently deny it of course. His eyes fell on Nahir and Saiya conversing. Strong footsteps propelled him towards the pair. Then he saw the adopted daughter, now serving lady, move towards the dance floor. Moving like a shadow he suddenly appeared next to her. The twin’s voice was low but confident. [color=0054a6]“Would the lady honor me with this dance?”[/color] His eyes looked down at hers. Strong callused right hand extended to take hers. His honey colored eyes were waiting expectantly. Saiya had felt the sudden presence appear next to her and glanced over at Amir with a smile. She glanced down at the paper in her hand, but then dropped it as she decided no one would truly know if they had gotten the same number or not. If they hadn't, the two they were to be paired with could simply get paired together instead. [color=#8A2D28]"Who am I to deny my Shahzade a dance?"[/color] She said as she gave him a bow before placing her small, delicate looking hand in his. [color=#8A2D28]"How has the night been treating you, dearest Amir? You were not harmed in the disturbance earlier I hope?[/color] She asked as she readied herself for the waltz, a northern dance she had practiced yet wasn't completely familiar with. The tiniest smile appeared on the second born’s face. Saiya had always been different, even as a noble. She was truly brave. In a sense, it was a compliment that she would rather dance with him than whomever she had been assigned. Neither would know that fate would have brought them together anyways. As his bigger hand closed on hers, he would bow slightly. With all form and decorum, he led her to the dance floor. His voice was cool as he answered her question. [color=0054a6]“I thank you for your concern, my lady. No harm came to me.”[/color] Reaching their destination he crisply placed his free hand on her hips in the Northern fashion. His eyes looked into hers. To any onlooker, they would seem like very well acquainted friends at the least. The music started and with just the barest of pressure on her waist, he directed her movements. [color=#8A2D28]"Good, I'm glad no harm came to you."[/color] Saiya responded, a truly thankful smile on her face as she looked up at him. She followed his lead as he began the dance for them, her hand going to its proper place on his shoulder. [color=#8A2D28]"I saw you were speaking with Lady Vikena and the white haired man, did you make new friends?"[/color] An innocent question, though she knew he'd easily understand what she was actually asking. Did he find out anything interesting from them? Are they harmless? These were all things she'd hoped to eventually find out as they were two people who'd piqued her interest already. Amir had simply beaten her to it. Just like Saiya, this dance was known to the twin but he was not proficient at it. This meant that to better control her movements he had to pull her in close so that their bodies could be in sync. He was thankful that the lady was so attuned to the slightest of movement. He gave her a slight grunt as she asked about the Duke’s daughter and Varian Princess bodyguard. [color=0054a6]“Sorry to disappoint you. No lasting friendships were made.”[/color] At this point he leaned in close, his lips almost touching her ears so that she felt a slight breeze as he spoke. [color=0054a6]“Lady Vikena is a good source of information as she gives it freely. A kind smile will do wonders. The Varian warrior seems to have eyes only for his princess, so I doubt even your honey words may avail you. I would be careful with him.”[/color] His tone passed along the warning easily enough. Amir stepped back as the time for the twirl came. He held Saiya’s hand as he lifted his own arm to allow her to pass under it. After full extension, he would pull her back, the momentum bringing her close again. [color=0054a6]“I saw my dear uncle grace you with his presence. No doubt encouraging you to mingle with our gracious hosts.”[/color] The twin asked, his tone slightly playful. Saiya understood why he'd pulled her in closer as she found it easier to follow him by doing so, but her body betrayed her as she felt butterflies in her stomach for a brief moment. She silently cursed herself, but she kept a flawless mask as she listened to him speak. If one had asked her if she were attracted to either of the Sultan's sons she would tell the person asking that she was not, but it would be a lie. She swore to herself that she wouldn't admit to anyone that she found both Amir and Munir attractive. His warning pulled her back out of her thoughts and she nodded slightly in understanding, but her eyes found the white haired man dancing with a young blonde woman. They seemed rather cozy and Saiya quietly noted to speak with that woman at some point. Her eyes met Amir's once more as he mentioned Hafiz speaking with her and a playful smile crossed her own face now. [color=#8A2D28]"Oh yes, he instructed me to mingle, form relationships, and have fun. Such a kind man, is he not?"[/color] It took everything in her to keep from rolling her eyes at the last statement. She, of all people, knew quite well how bipolar the Grand Vizier could be. [color=#8A2D28]"I believe he wishes for me to weed out any threats to all of you, especially after what happened with Duke Vikena."[/color] She said softly to him as she leaned in closer. Amir was never as vulnerable as when around Saiya. The lady in waiting had been with the Kadir children basically all their lives. In some ways she was like a sister. In others….she was not. It was not lost on the twin how she felt to his touch, and against him. Thankfully, his own cool nature was able to overcome any flares that he may have. Mentioning the Vizier helped tremendously as his face hardened into its usual visage. He crossed both their arms using opposite hands then spun her so that her arms enveloped her midsection and pulled her backwards against him as they swayed to the rhythm of the music. Again, his voice was near her ear. [color=0054a6]“Oh, yes. A veritable holy man.”[/color] The sarcasm was thick and deadly as a viper’s venom. [color=0054a6]“He wishes to learn of any threats indeed. It is easier to use traps that have already been spotted.”[/color] Letting go of one of her hands he pushed her by the waist making her twirl again until both their arms were fully elongated. Then he pulled her back again, dipped under her arm as he spun himself to finish opposite of where he had started. A look that held a very subtle content face regarded her. [color=0054a6]“I feel more than one eye is upon you my lady. I am sure you will have no lack of dance partners tonight.”[/color] The slight tone of playfulness in his voice was recognisable to Saiya only. When he pulled her back against him, arms crossed, Saiya found herself instinctually leaning into him. He spoke near her ear and she found herself turning to look at him, bringing their faces incredibly close. [color=#8A2D28]"I may pose as his little spy, but my loyalties lie with you. They always have and they always will."[/color] She said softly back to him before he spun her back out. His next words caused a slight tint of red to color her cheeks, but she found herself smirking up at him. [color=#8A2D28]"Is that so? I wonder if seeing me dance so closely to Shahzade Amir will frighten them off? A shame, if so?"[/color] She then leaned in a little closer to him. [color=#8A2D28]"Or perhaps that was your plan all along?"[/color] She teased him and then grinned widely. It was actually the nearness of their faces that had forced the second born to gently propel Saiya away before he lost composure. It had been her declaration of loyalty that had pleased him enough to show content. Gently, he gathered near her again, his hand once more on the small of her waist, holding on just a bit tighter. He raised an eyebrow at her cheeky taunting. [color=0054a6]“If any man would not risk my swords to dance with you…then they are not worth the air they breathe.”[/color] He said in a low, almost guttural tone. Once more Amir leaned in close, his lips actually brushing her ear this time as he spoke into it. [color=0054a6]“As to the inner workings of my mind, my dear lady will have to try harder to discern them.”[/color] Before she could answer, his strong hands held her by the waist and lifted her up, spinning in place as the dance required and then brought her down when the spin was over. [color=0054a6]“Offering the gentlemen a better view of the prize to build up their courage.”[/color] He winked at her, honey eyes showing a glint. Her breath caught as his lips brushed her ear and her heart seemed to skip a beat. Once upon a time, their mothers would tease that she would marry one of the twins some day. Her father even tried to go as far as arranging it once, but it was never to be. She'd lost her title and thus lost any chance of that. He could easily become the next Sultan and she was no longer worthy of becoming a Sultana. She wasn't even worthy of gaining the title Shehzadi, despite being taken in by the family. No, there was to be no hope of any of that transpiring…and yet? [color=#8A2D28]"Amir…"[/color] She breathed, but then caught herself and composed herself once more. [color=#8A2D28]"You are cruel, Amir Ibn Raif Kadir. Teasing me so and toying with my heart."[/color] She said playfully, a teasing smile on her face. [color=#8A2D28]"I do believe there are plenty of eyes on both of us. Perhaps you will find yourself a wife during this season?"[/color] She smirked at him. Though she was teasing, his face lost its playful tone. His face was not angry, instead a hint of sadness fluttered in his eyes. His voice was cool as always. [color=0054a6]“Lady Saiya, I would never play with your heart…”[/color] It seemed like he was to say more but he merely shut his mouth. The second comment did not help either. [color=0054a6]“I wish no lady to endure a life with me and I do not intend to merely be a political tool.”[/color] His honey eyes narrowed slightly. The twins had never known of the secret arrangements secretly plotted. Kahrem had indeed felt more for the lady in waiting than mere friendship and would have been more than happy with the arrangements. Old Amir had seen her as nothing more than a pretty face. The current man before her looked at her, melancholy written in his face. [color=0054a6]“I pray to the gods that the same fate does not befall you my lady. Your hand should be given only to one who has won your heart and can promise you everlasting happiness.”[/color] The hand around Saiya’s waist loosened a little and Amir could not meet her gaze for a few seconds. Saiya's own face fell as she tried to read his expression, to understand what she saw in his eyes, and to quiet the small spark of anger she felt at his words. Suddenly she pulled them to a stop from the dance. Her small hand reached up to gently caress his face and make him meet her gaze once more. [color=#8A2D28]"Endure a life with you?"[/color] She questioned and then began shaking her head softly. [color=#8A2D28]"I pray that someday you can open your heart and realize that you are just as deserving of love and happiness as anyone else. Then I hope you realize that someone would be thrilled to endure a life with you because they love you."[/color] Her words were gentle as she gave him an affectionate smile. [color=#8A2D28]"I want to help you accomplish your goals, but I also want to see you happy by the end of all this. Despite what you think, you deserve happiness."[/color] She said as she moved her hand back into place to pick up the dance once again. [color=#8A2D28]"Now shall we finish our dance?"[/color] She asked, keeping a smile on her face as she tried to lighten the mood some. The abrupt stop of motion and the gentle hand upon his cheek made the twin look up into Saiya’s eyes. Her words made him feel weak. It was almost as if she was holding him up merely by that gentle palm upon his bearded face. Their eyes spoke volumes. His features softened somewhat. Amir’s mouth felt dry and he did not dare speak should his voice betray him. All he could do was nod understanding what she meant but not fully agreeing with her. His hand at her waist tightened again to move her out of the way of an incoming couple. Again he brought her close. [color=0054a6]“My life is not my own. I cannot deviate from my goal. Her soul, nor mine, can rest until…”[/color] His voice had begun to get louder but then he caught himself and took a deep breath. [color=0054a6]“Your words are kind and they are appreciated. You will make someone very happy one day.”[/color] His voice was cool again. With the last measures of the song marking its end Amir brought her in close so that both of their bodies were pressed against each other. The hand at her waist moved to her lower back and the one holding her hand went behind her head cradling her neck. In a smooth motion, he dipped her. Amir’s strong arms holding the pose with no outward strain. His eyes looked into hers, their faces close to touching. [color=0054a6]“It never ceases to amaze me how vexing and calming you can be.”[/color] As the last notes faded, the twin lifted the lady in waiting back up. He bowed to her slightly. [color=0054a6]“Thank you for the dance Lady Saiya.”[/color] His normal demeanor returned. Her heart had ached as she listened to his words and stared at him, but she spoke no more on the matter. She'd spoken her piece and there was no sense in continuing the conversation…for now. She understood where he was coming from and their goals aligned, but she also would not stop fighting for him to have happiness. She cared for him deeply and she knew Esrin would want to see all her children happy. Saiya would ensure that to the best of her abilities. She hadn't been expecting him to pull her in so close and she felt her heart begin to race. He then dipped her and she found herself inches from his face. Her mind betrayed her for a brief moment as she wondered what it would be like if he closed the distance and their lips met. As she realized she had this thought and heard his words she felt her face heat and she had to avert her gaze. He lifted her back up and the dance was over. She dipped down low in a curtsy, trying to still her racing heart and rid her face of its red glow. [color=#8A2D28]"It's always a pleasure to dance with you, Shahzade. I hope you enjoy the rest of the evening."[/color] She said quickly to him, briefly meeting his gaze once more before turning and leaving. She found herself once more by the wine table and desperately needing the sweet liquid.