Chapter 18 - A Waltz of Thorns

The moment Levi's 𝗁ɑ𐓣ᑯ closed around Tyche's wrist, the dance floor shifted.

Lantern light caught the sharp cut of his jaw, the cool indifference in his forged brown eyes. Conversation thinned, music swelled.

Tyche felt her pulse spin

He didn't ask

Simply claimed ___guiding her into to the center where every villager could see.

The crowd parted instinctively like a ripple around something dangerous.

Levi place to one hand at Tyche's waist—𝗍𝗈𝗈 firm too knowing—and put her closer than any proper dancer required.

His touch burnt through the fabric of her borrowed dress sending heat straight up her spine. Tyche swallowed, hard trying to steady her trembling hands as they rested on his shoulders.

The music began.

Levi moved with effortless, predatory Grace—steps precise, fluid, almost sensual. Tyche tried to follow, but stumbled instantly.

Her foot cut the hem of address.

She stepped on his boot.

She triped into his chest.

Gaps broke from the onlookers . a few whisper slashed the air.

Levi's jaw tighted.

His voice slid out, soft but lethal

"are you really this incompetent"

Tyche froze.

He guided her again—too easily—while she moved like an untrained fawn in a lion's hold.

Every mistake she made seem to irritating further.

"can't you dance?" he asked, colder this time

She didn't answer. What could she say? She has never been taught. Girls like her never got the chance to learn—they learned chores.

Her silence angered him even more.

Levi leaned closer, his breath ghosting her ears.

His fingers dragged slowly—slowly—from the curve of her spine to her hip, like he was tracing every flaw she tried to hide.

a shivers stole her.

"I asked you a question," he mumbled against her skin, voice deep, mocking.

"or perhaps thinking is too much for you?"

Something in Tyche cracked.

She pushed him back—not hard, but enough to create a breath of space between them. are Emerald eyes shimmers with rising tears, reflecting lantern light like shards of glass.

"why… why would you speak like that?" she whispered, voice trembling but growing stronger. "what did I ever do to deserve that tone?"

Levi said nothing. His eyes held no pity.

Only curiosity—as though her emotions were a strange insect he wasn't sure he recognized.

Tyche exhale shakingly, her voice breaking but honest.

"you think because you're comfortable… because you have everything… you can step on people like me?" tear spelled, soft and soundless. "not everyone gets to be born with privilege. Some of us work for every crumb of kindness we get."

Her lips trembled as she continued, raw and unfiltered.

"you walk around like the world owes you something—but there are people out there, people like me, who would kill for a life like yours. who would do anything just to breathe without fear for one day. We can't choose our destiny."

Her voice drops to a small aching whisper.

"and it must be nice…mustn't it? To never have to think about how you're words can ruin someone."

More tears fell streaking her cheeks.

the crowd watched—silent, stunned.

Tyche stepped away from him, still facing him heartbreak visible in the slope of her shoulders.

"you're cruel," she whispered."and maybe you don't care but…but I do. So I'm leaving."

She turned—

—and ran skirts gathering in her fists, disappearing into the sea of lanterns and startled faces

xanthe, who has been watching everything unfold with rising fury, short Levi a small but unmistakable warning glare—something between a frightened puppy and a fierce cub protecting its wounded sibling—before sprinting after Tyche.

Levi didn't move.

Didn't call out.

Didn't apologize.

He simply stood there, jaw clenched eyes on readable… and for the first time the music around him felt comfortably loud.