“Help me,” she begged as she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him in close. He was such a large man that he completely covered her like a makeshift shelter. An overpowering scent of vanilla flooded Riyah’s senses. Since when did a man smell this good? She didn’t have much time to think as she heard Hughes come bulldozing around the corner. Riyah squeezed her eyes shut, sending up a silent prayer that this man kept her out of sight. A few seconds were all she needed. Suddenly a wave of warmth rolled over her, erasing her fear and relaxing her body.

“Did you see a woman run by,” Hughes asked the man, “She’s a thief you see.” That was a lie but Riyah didn’t dare to speak out. It was clear that Hughes hadn’t spotted her yet. The man moved to straighten himself out but Riyah tightened her grip around his neck. Gentle hands went to remove her. Riyah opened her eyes to look at him in desperation but she was met with a pair of smokey eyes. How could she see his eyes so well in the dark? She was so taken aback that she let him remove her hands from his person. He stood up to his full height which seemed impossibly tall and turned toward Hughes while still blocking Riyah from his view.

“Go away,” the man said in a grave voice. Riyah heard Hughes let out a frightened squeak and then a loud thud. She risked peaking around the man. Hughes was on the ground staring up at the man in complete terror. How intimidating was this man that it sent an angry drunk into sobering fear?

“Do not make me repeat myself,” the man said. Hughes scrambled to his feet and without another word, ran back down the hallway. Riyah just stood there for a moment in utter shock. This man had run off her attacker with two simple sentences. She moved to stand in front of him. She had to see what he looked like but it was too dark to see anything but basic features.

“Thank you, sir,” she bowed her head, “I am not a thief as he said. He was harassing a servant and when I threatened to tell everyone he chased me. He is clearly very drunk. I wonder if we should have him thrown out.”

“He will be taken care of,” the man said. Riyah looked up at him again. Her eyes met his. His eyes moved over her as if the darkness hadn’t impaired his vision and he was noting each and every detail of her face. How useless. He would forget all of them in a few minutes.

“Shall we go back,” Riyah said awkwardly, “We are probably not supposed to be here.” The man nodded and held out his arm. Riyah felt a little silly about being escorted after she had snuck up there on her own and was running for her life just a few moments ago but she took it anyway. He took them a different path opting to use the main stair rather than the servant stairs. They walked in silence and they walked too slowly for Riyah’s liking. She wanted to hurry and see this mystery man in the light. She was relieved when she could finally hear the music of the party. They finally reached the ballroom again and Riyah instantly dropped his arm and stood in front of him again. She almost gasped. Her savior was the same man staring at her earlier. He looked even more rugged up close.

“Do you have something to say?” he said after a moment. Riyah quickly looked away. Her cheeks burned. She had been staring.

“You need not be embarrassed. I am used to people staring,” he said flatly. It was then that Riyah noticed several eyes on them. She had never been noticed by this many people before. Although it seemed that they were all looking right through her. It was the man who demanded their notice. And although many people stared none approached. They all looked weary at best and terrified at worst. Who was he? Riyah was about to ask but when she turned to look at him again she was unnerved by just how intensely his eyes were studying her face.

“Why aren’t you scared of me?” he asked. His voice was passive as if her answer wasn’t important. He was merely curious.

“You were not the man chasing me down a dark hallway,” Riyah pointed out.

“Indeed,” he said as something passed her caught his eye. Riyah followed his gaze. Derek Hughes appeared from the hallway that led to the servant stairs. He looked around to see if anyone noticed his sudden appearance. He didn’t even register Riyah. Riyah gave a sigh of relief. It was just as she expected but she was still relieved after such a close call. Then Derek noticed the man glaring at him and he stiffened. But Mary Mayfield approached him. He plastered on a charming smile and allowed her to pull him to the dance floor.

“He didn’t recognize you,” the man said.

“It was dark,” Riyah replied a little too quickly, “Anyways thank you again for helping me. I should-”

“Would you like to dance,” the man interrupted. She blinked at him.

“Excuse me?”

“Would you like to have a dance,” he repeated, “With me.” He held out his hand to her and Riyah could only stare at it in shock. No one had asked her to dance before.

“I couldn’t,” Riyah said, “Thank you but I am a terrible dancer.” He didn’t respond but his hand still hung in the air before her. She took a step back and he dropped it.

“I am truly flattered, but I need to be getting home,” she said.

“Next time then,” he relented.

“Next time,” Riyah agreed. There would be no next time. She gave him a simple curtsey.

“Goodbye then,” she said. Before she could dash away, the man snatched up her hand.

“Get home safely,” he said as he bowed over her hand. He pressed his lips to her knuckles. Riyah yanked her hand back, shocked by a seemingly kind jester from such an intimidating man.

“Goodbye,” she squawked as she dashed away. Riyah quickly left the mansion. The night air cooled her skin. Except for the place where his lips touched. Warmth lingered there.