The Moonlight Masquerade was the most anticipated event of the year.
A night of magic, secrets, and whispered promises behind glittering masks.
The ballroom of the Academy was transformed—enchanted chandeliers floated like stars overhead, their silver light pouring over velvet floors. Floating candles hovered in the air, casting soft gold over silk gowns and tailored suits. A string quartet played in the background, their instruments glowing faintly with charm spells.
Everyone who was anyone had come.
But no one was prepared for her.
---
The Girl in Midnight Blue
Seraphina stepped into the ballroom, and silence fell like a spell.
She wore a gown spun from stardust—deep blue that shimmered with silver thread. It clung to her waist and flowed like water around her feet. A delicate half-mask covered her eyes, studded with tiny crystals. Her hair was pinned up with a silver comb shaped like a phoenix wing.
Elegant. Fierce. Untouchable.
And yet, when her eyes scanned the room, they stopped at only one person.
Darian.
He stood near the archway, dressed in black robes lined with obsidian thread, a simple black mask covering half his face. But it was his eyes—warm and stunned—that she saw most clearly.
She walked toward him, her steps quiet but confident.
"You clean up nicely," she said, smiling faintly.
Darian blinked. "You look like..."
"Trouble?"
"Like the moon asked the stars to borrow their light... and they said yes."
She blinked.
Then laughed. "That's... surprisingly poetic."
He turned red. "Sorry. I don't know why I said that."
She offered her hand, teasing, "Then maybe you should dance with me before you say something worse."
He stared.
And took her hand.
---
A Dance in the Stars
The music slowed, and they stepped into the circle of dancers.
Around them, couples swirled and dipped, but Seraphina and Darian moved like they were the only two in the world.
One step closer.
One hand at her waist.
One heartbeat louder than the music.
She had never danced with someone like this before—not just graceful, but... safe. Like he was holding her without trying to own her. Like he was seeing her without trying to change her.
He whispered, "I'm glad you're here."
She looked up at him. "I shouldn't be."
"But you are."
Their eyes met.
The world tilted.
And somewhere deep in the shadows, a figure in red watched them closely.
---
Behind the Mask
Up on the balcony, a masked girl in crimson leaned against the railing.
Her lips twisted into a smile.
"Well, well... the princess of pride has found herself a knight."
She turned to the tall man beside her. His eyes glowed faintly gold beneath his mask.
"Should I break the spell tonight?" she purred. "Or let them fall deeper?"
He didn't answer.
He only lifted a single finger—and pointed directly at Seraphina.
Magic stirred.
The flames of the chandeliers flickered.
Below, Seraphina faltered mid-spin.
Her eyes widened.
Pain bloomed in her chest—sharp and sudden, like something had pierced her from within.
She stumbled.
And Darian caught her instantly. "Seraphina?!"
She clutched her ribs, gasping. "Something's wrong. Someone's here..."
He looked up—toward the balcony.
But the figures were gone.
---
The Music Fades
The spell broke.
The music stopped.
And the Headmaster's voice echoed through the ballroom:
> "All students return to your quarters. The Masquerade is over."
Gasps filled the room. Whispers followed like waves.
But Seraphina wasn't listening.
All she could think about was the curse from earlier, the burning pain now fading from her chest, and the way Darian's arms stayed tightly around her—as if he wasn't going to let go.
Not this time.
Not ever.