The Dance We Remember (Love and Other Dreams #4)

Chapter 24

Maxime

With her calf-length bright red skirt and the snug-fitting black long-sleeved shirt, Aurora bears a striking resemblance to a Spanish woman. She raises her arms one after the other in perfect rhythm with the lively samba music.

"More body tension," I call out to her from the side of the dance floor, and her little fingers extend accordingly. "Now the promenade, right?" she asks breathlessly, assuming the position with her arms as if we were dancing together, and she pivots her foot backward.

I clap in time to support her. "In three... two... one... now!" A jolt runs through her body as she energetically stamps her foot and executes the half turn for the promenade. Checking her posture in the side mirror, she starts dancing.

Her movements are harmonious, her technique excellent. I'd love to join her and dance together, but first, the choreography must be perfect. "Very well done," I comment enthusiastically.

Aurora reaches the wall and performs a spin. Instead of returning to the dance position, she stops and rests her hands on her thighs. I quickly turn off the music. "Time for a break," I say, reaching for her water bottle.

With a grateful nod, she takes the water from me and takes a big sip. "You should rest for a few minutes," I suggest, placing my hand on her sweaty back, which rises and falls with agitation.

She shakes her head. "We can continue right away," she blurts out even though it's clear she's struggling to catch her breath.

Her fighting spirit is just one of the many reasons that make Aurora unique. But right now, she's overdoing it. She acts as if nothing has changed, as if she's not pregnant at all. I lower my gaze significantly to her belly.

"As long as I feel fine, I'm allowed to train as usual until the twelfth week of pregnancy," she reminds me of the doctor's words during her first examination before I can express my concern. "I'm in the ninth week, so..."

"And he also said that you should take it a bit easier," I interject. She seems to have overlooked that, but I still remember it.

She takes the towel from me and dabs her face dry. Then she fixes her gaze on me. "I feel excellent."

Though I can see the fire in her eyes, I also recognize her tiredness. Of course, she would never admit it, and I don't want to argue with her, so it's probably better to outsmart her.

Quickly, I plant a kiss on her warm lips. "Whether you believe it or not, I need to train too," I say with a smile. "Take a seat; I need someone to correct my mistakes."

She nibbles thoughtfully on her lower lip. "We have to dance through the choreography," she says with a warning tone, raising her index finger.

"There are only eight days left until the championship."

And there's quite a lot that isn't perfect, I know. Furthermore, Madame Durand made it very clear that we must at least make it to the finals if we care about our connection to the academy.

Aurora blinks vigorously and steps closer to me. "If we fail next week, the Iron Lady will kick us out. And then..."

"We won't fail," I hurry to say before she paints the horror scenario that would follow.

It's already challenging enough since everyone knows about us. Some students even complained to Madame Durand, believing I favor Aurora. Of course, that's nonsense; I treat all students equally. If we don't meet the academy's expectations under these circumstances, it will be difficult for Cyrille himself to keep supporting us.

"You can't possibly know that." Aurora rolls her eyes. "What if I feel sick during the performance? Or dizzy? What if I get a headache or my legs are too tired to keep up with the rhythm?"

So she has also noticed that her pregnancy is making dancing more challenging for her. No wonder with everything that's happening in her body. I better ignore the annoyed undertone in her voice when she talks about her pregnancy. Perhaps I'm imagining it, too.

Lovingly, I cup her face in my hands. "We can do it," I repeat so intensely that even I get goose bumps. After all, it's the only thing I want to believe. The only thing I allow myself to think.

Aurora takes a deep breath, and her shoulders slump forward. "The others avoid me as if I have the plague," she confesses remorsefully.

My stomach tightens. Yes, the world of dance is harsh, and when the competition smells weakness, they show no mercy. Aurora knows that, and she also knows that she can't let it affect her. "It's best to pretend you don't notice it at all."

Tears well up in the corners of her eyes. She wipes them away harshly. "Alice even called me a slut. She says I don't deserve to stay at the academy. And dancing at the championships would prove I'm a deceitful snake."

I gasp. What utter nonsense! "You don't believe her, do you?" My tone carries all the anger that's rising within me. "She's just trying to bully you out so she can dance with me." Yes, that must be it. She's been trying to win me as her dance partner for months. Apparently, she'll do whatever it takes.

With a determined expression, Aurora shakes her head. But I still see in her eyes that Alice's words are gnawing at her. Now she lowers her gaze.

"And as if that wasn't bad enough, I started crying right then and there," she says, pressing her fingernails into her palms, her knuckles turning white. "In front of everyone!"

So that's how it is. Now I understand why she won't even allow herself a short break during training. The pressure on her shoulders is more immense than I thought. I wish I could take the burden off her, but I don't know how. All I can think of is reassuring her once again that we will both find our way.

"No matter what others say, as long as we hold ourselves and our future, they have no power over us."

Please, believe me , I implore her with my gaze.

I'll do my best , she responds silently, placing her hand on my chest. "Come on, let's dance through the choreography one more time before our time in the dance hall is up."

I cast a scrutinizing glance at her upper body. Her breathing has calmed down. "Go to the starting position; I'll turn on the music in a moment," I say.

Aurora smiles gratefully at me, then she glides so gracefully to the center of the dance floor that it's hard for me to take my eyes off her.