Luna adjusted to the lights and sounds slowly as they stood there, waiting. Although she wasn't sure why Lukas wasn't moving, she was grateful for the time.
She looked around again, attempting to be more analytical this time.
There were two levels of platforms ringing the main area. The first was a couple dozen feet above the ground floor, and it was a continuous ring around the edge with the center open, almost a walkway, except that it was wide enough for there to be tables, though they were only on the opposite side of the room from where they stood now.
The level above that was a series of round platforms that were bridged by wood and rope walkways, probably for more private discussions that took place during the dance.
Yet another way that this place was wired against humans. Everything was made to display and require strength. Clothing displayed muscles. The stairs were taller than any she had seen in Alaxia. And the walkways? To move across slowly, it would take an incredible amount of strength and balance.
It was a good thing that she had refused her father's insistence to stop exercising. Otherwise she would stick out even worse than she already did with the way that the dress was tailored.
They hadn't changed the set, make, or design of the dress when they had modified it to fit her, so if she had been as frail as most women preferred to be in Alaxia, she would look like a true waif who was completely out of place.
Here, her delicate features would be seen as a sign of weakness, rather than beauty.
Lycans lived for battle, and when the battle had ended, they had turned their attention to games of war and strength. Their men were the serious fighters, and their women fought for entertainment.
It was one of the highest-profile activities here to be in a duel, and everyone with power or influence attended duels between other people who had power or influence.
But no sort of duel was quite as popular as the one-sided, anything-goes kind. Every Lycan had to participate in at least one in their lifetime. This was their coming-of-age philosophy, and if anyone refused or failed, they came into their life either disgraced or not at all.
Luna looked around down then, at the people around them, and she realized why Lukas wasn't moving.
The people around were crowding them.
Luna barely stopped herself from smirking.
Not having his way for once, while it may not be a novel experience, was messing with him. She could see it in his face. Although she hadn't known him for very long, every line, every bone and muscle, was lodged in her brain like no other memory she had.
He was wearing his mask again, but his jaw was slightly more tense than before.
Luna nearly shivered when she thought of the face beneath that mask. The eyes beneath that mask.
But that didn't matter, not now. She had to get him to move.
Because although she knew what was going to happen to her once people noticed her, she wasn't afraid of the sting.
Weak people threw words because they were afraid of getting involved. Many of the people here would be the same, Lycans or not.
That was what she assumed, anyway.
Luna slid her arm out of his, making him look down at her sharply, but instead of moving away, she took one of his hands in hers and tugged lightly.
"Come on," she whispered. "They'll move once they notice you."
He resisted at first, but then allowed himself to be pulled. Once he was moving, his momentum took over, and she relinked their arms to walk forward. Although she had to take about two steps for every one of his, she wasn't concerned by it. Her form in fencing had always been difficult to maintain while keeping pace with the other students. Although that did lead to her being much more mobile than the others when they sparred.
Just as she had suspected, as soon as he bumped someone, more forceful than even Luna had expected, they turned around, already ready to begin spewing vulgarities. But upon seeing the mask, they bowed and stepped back, then hissed to the person next to them.
Very quickly, the crowds began to part around them again.
This was much better. Luna smiled.
It had been a long time since she had smiled properly before meeting Lukas.
Although in Alaxia the nobles had given way for her similarly, there was much more flair about it and less actual respect. Although she was the princess, she wasn't a prince. They gave her space, but they didn't actually care what she thought of them. After all, in their estimation, she would have to marry one of them eventually, and therefore give them the power of the throne.
So they were courteous, but they didn't bother caring what she actually thought.
Yes, it had been a very long time.
She didn't notice it, but her arm held a little tighter to Lukas's.