3.47

At the end of the song, I swiftly departed from Dax's grip and headed towards the lounge chairs at the side of the hall, taking a glass of whatever from a server on my way. 

I couldn't help but chuckle at the irony that I had just let the hands that had murdered my mate lead me around the dancefloor. Yet the one I ached to stab my blade into was someone else. 

"Are you alright?" Dax stood beside the chair, nodding his head in greeting to a joyful passerby. 

"No," I replied honestly, before taking a deep, long drink. My eyes skimmed the room, taking in the various species and cultures all blended together, just enjoying themselves, grateful to survive another year in peace. 

Envy crept up inside, making the tangy drink taste bitter. 

I wanted nothing more than to be one of them, blissfully ignorant.

"Can I do anything?" Dax asked eventually, grabbing a drink from a passing server and giving it to me, taking my now empty cup.