He offered a faint smile. His skin was cold as he smoothly moved her hand to his arm. He smelled sharply of frost and something alien--not unpleasant, but strange.

They left the table together, hundreds of glowing fey eyes watching them. Seelie and Unseelie alike parted for them, bowing, as they approached the open stage.

(Do you want to be pinged while the two dance?)

(nah)

Feeling everyone's eyes on her is making her extremely uncomfortable. She hates being watched. She hates a lot of things, for mostly the same reasons.

"You'll be fine." Ash didn't look at her as they stepped onto the dance floor. He faced the trio of fey rulers with his head up and his expression blank. Ash tightened his grip on her hand. "Just follow my lead." He bowed to Oberons table

She follows, not saying anything.

The Erlking gave a solemn nod, and Ash turned to face Isiea, taking one of her hands and guiding the other to his shoulder.

The music started.

Ash stepped forward

She steps forward, too, looking at anywhere but his face and visibly still not wanting to be here.

They more or less minced around the stage, Ash moving with tigerlike grace. Thankfully, no one booed or threw things.

Somewhere in this waking nightmare, she heard a chuckle. "Stop thinking," Ash muttered, pulling her into a spin that ended with her against his chest. "The audience doesn't matter. The steps don't matter. Just close your eyes and listen to the music."

She tries to take his advice, but it doesn't work. It feels like everybody is staring into her head, into her mind. As if they know what she'd done, both the recent one and from 13 years ago. As if they're judging her, waiting to hurt her. It's a feeling that refuses to go away.