Chapter 49

Chapter 49: The Last Dance

…

Elia Martell POV

After hearing Galahad's truth—the revelation of his emotions and the reasons behind his actions—a part of me felt mended. 

A new understanding settled between us as we agreed to keep our relationship as it had been: close friends, instead of anything more. 

All the pain and anger from moments ago began to ease, replaced by a quiet sense of peace as we sat side by side on the bench, each of us absorbing what had passed between us.

Yet, for all our talk of friendship, there was still a tension in the air, a feeling that neither of us could ignore. Unspoken but powerful, it hung between us, making us both uncertain. 

I could see he was wrestling with it, too, trying to reconcile his words with his feelings, just as I was.

In the calm of that moment, my emotions finally steadied, and I couldn't stop the question that rose to my lips, the one that had been haunting me.

"If I had been of lower birth," I said softly, turning to him, "could we have loved each other?"

He met my gaze, and in his green eyes, I saw a yearning that struck me to my core. 

Gods, I still wanted him, despite knowing our story could only end in heartache. The title I'd once worn with pride—Princess of Dorne—felt like an iron wall between us now.

"You have a great character and a kind heart, Elia," he murmured, his voice thick with sincerity. 

"I would have been the luckiest man to have love you." His eyes softened, a rare warmth lighting them in the darkness.

A warmth spread through me at his words, soothing and comforting. My chest tightened, cheeks warming, and I felt both joy and sadness, tangled and impossible to separate.

"I'm a fool," he whispered, leaning forward, covering his face with his hands. 

"I can't believe I hurt you, the person I… I love. I'm so sorry. I wish…" He took a breath. "I wish I'd been born a prince. I wish I could be worthy of you."

His sorrow brought a pang to my own heart. I wanted to tell him that he was already more than worthy, to erase the regret that burdened us both.

"Galahad…" I began softly, feeling the words catch in my throat. "No, you're more than deserving," I whispered, conviction swelling within me.

Before I could stop myself, my hand rose, gently finding its way to the back of his head. He looked at me, wide-eyed, confusion mingling with longing.

But I couldn't hold back. All the love, all the previous sorrow, every ache and joy I'd held in my heart surged forward. 

Leaning in, I closed the space between us until my lips met his.

For a heartbeat, he stiffened, muttering, "are you sure…" but I pressed closer, feeling his resistance melt as he wrapped his arms around me.

The kiss was like a spark catching fire, a release of everything we'd kept at bay. 

My body seemed to ignite, each second filling me with a bliss so powerful it left me breathless. Time stilled, and for those precious moments, nothing else mattered.

When at last we pulled apart, my face was flushed, our breaths mingling in the cool night air. He looked back at me, his gaze dark with unspoken words, mirroring everything I felt.

"Ahem, I… I'm sorry for that," I stammered, a nervous laugh escaping me. 

"That wasn't… what friends should do," I added, cheeks burning with both exhilaration and embarrassment.

He nodded, a faint smile curving his lips.

"Elia," he murmured, standing and extending his hand to me, his voice tender and warm.

"For just this night, let's be true to our feelings. Let's dance in the courtyard… let's dance away the love and pain."

His hand was steady, and I placed mine in his, letting him pull me to my feet. Together, we moved to the open courtyard, the night quiet and watchful.

For this one night, I would let go. I would let my love shine in every step, every glance. 

As we began to sway, my heart lifted, free in the quiet intimacy that bound us, if only for these fleeting moments. 

Just this one night, I let myself be vulnerable, allowing the emotions I'd buried to rise to the surface. 

"Could you sing me a song?" I asked as we danced. I wanted to hear the song that had made me cry on our first dance.

He nodded and began singing the melancholic song. 

With each verse he sang, it felt as though a weight I hadn't realized I carried was slowly lifting, replaced by a bittersweet ache.

He held my hand, his voice a gentle murmur, and as we swayed together, I was reminded of every moment we'd shared, every laugh, every glance. 

This song, his song, captured it all—the joy, the sorrow, the unfulfilled longing. Each note was like a thread, binding us closer, even though I knew it would soon unravel.

The tears fell before I could stop them, silent and unrestrained, and he caught one on his thumb, his gaze soft and tender. There was no judgment, only understanding, as if he, too, felt the weight of our parting.

It was exactly how I'd felt back in those precious, fleeting moments we'd once shared—a blend of joy and pain, of wanting more yet knowing it could never be.

And so, as the song ended and we stood in silence, I held onto the warmth of his hand for a moment longer. 

This was our last dance, our last shared secret, and as the next day approached, I knew I'd carry this night with me always, a hidden spark in my heart that would burn quietly, forever.

…

Note: This was a short chapter. The next chapter is the final chapter.

It's a bittersweet chapter for Elia. She will be heading back to dorne, she wont be appearing for a while.

I was about to not even post this chapter, but I didn't give Elia a good send off last chapter. This chapter should make up for it.

The next time she shows up, she'll be more mature and complex.