New Light
The weight of the evening still clung to Alexandra as she slid into the back seat of the waiting car. The stifling castle party had left her restless, a growing need for release bubbling under the surface with every step she took down the grand hallways. The night had been a performance: every smile, every glance, another piece in the puzzle she had to present to the world.
"Back home?" her driver asked as he opened the car door.
She hesitated. Going home meant solitude, the walls of her palace apartment closing in like an elegant prison.
"Not tonight," she said decisively. "Drop me at Sarah's first."
A quick change was in order.
Half an hour later, Alexandra stood in front of the mirror in her friend Sarah's flat, inspecting the outfit she'd pulled together from the closet Sarah always kept ready for nights like these. The dress was bold: black, form-fitting, and scandalously short, paired with stilettos that added an air of defiance.
"I don't know who you're trying to impress," Sarah teased as she popped open a bottle of champagne, "but whoever it is, they won't know what hit them."
Alexandra smirked mischievously, downing her glass in one go. "Tonight's not about anyone else. Just me."
The ride to the club was filled with music and laughter, that carefree energy that only came with close friends who didn't care about titles or expectations. The club itself pulsed with life, neon lights casting a glow over the packed dance floor. Alexandra felt herself start to relax for the first time all evening.
"Ready to lose that crown for a few hours?" Sarah yelled over the music.
"More than ready."
The bass thumped in Alexandra's chest as she moved onto the dance floor, the music a welcome distraction from the weight of her thoughts. Here, among the sea of bodies, no one gave her a second glance, and the anonymity was intoxicating. She let the music guide her movements, fluid and unrestrained, savoring the freedom she so rarely allowed herself.
But her rhythm faltered when she spotted a familiar figure near the VIP section.
Taylor Swift.
Alexandra blinked, certain her mind was playing tricks on her. She'd seen Taylor leave the castle party early, long before Alexandra herself had slipped out. And yet, there she was, surrounded by a posse of impossibly tall, impossibly beautiful models, all vying for her attention.
Taylor was dressed far more casually than before but no less stunning. She wore a tiny skirt that left her long legs on full display, paired with a fitted top that highlighted her slender figure. Her blonde hair was swept up into a messy ponytail that gave her an effortlessly sexy look. Her laughter, clear and genuine, cut through the music, a stark contrast to the polished perfection she'd shown at the castle.
Alexandra's lips curved into a slow smile. So, the pop star had a wilder side.
Taylor must have felt the weight of her gaze because her laughter faded, and she turned, locking eyes with Alexandra across the crowded dance floor.
For a moment, neither of them moved. The air between them sizzled, charged with a dangerous, thrilling energy.
Alexandra arched a brow, her smile turning playful, and began weaving her way through the throng of dancers toward Taylor, her steps deliberate, predatory.
Taylor, to her credit, didn't look away.
When Alexandra reached her side, she leaned in close enough for her voice to carry over the music.
"Didn't expect to see you here," she said, her tone low, teasing.
Taylor's lips parted in surprise, but she quickly recovered, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.
"Didn't think you'd notice when I left the party," she replied in the same playful tone.
"Oh, I noticed," Alexandra said, letting her gaze sweep over Taylor's figure in a way that was anything but subtle.
Taylor's cheeks flushed, but she held Alexandra's gaze, refusing to be intimidated.
"I guess we both got tired of pretending."
"I guess we did," Alexandra murmured, her voice dropping another octave.
The music shifted to something slower, more sensual, and Alexandra didn't hesitate to close the small distance between them. She held Taylor's gaze as she moved to the rhythm, her body brushing against the blonde's just enough to blur the line between accidental and intentional.
Taylor hesitated for only a moment before falling into step, her movements perfectly synchronized. The heat between them was palpable, an unspoken tension building with every beat of the music.
Alexandra leaned in again, her lips grazing Taylor's ear as she whispered, "What do you say we get out of here?"
Taylor pulled back slightly, her blue eyes searching Alexandra's face for something: doubt, uncertainty, maybe even fear. But all she found was confidence, an unwavering determination that sent a shiver down her spine.
For a moment, Taylor hesitated. The logical part of her brain screamed at her to say no, to retreat to the safety of her carefully controlled world. But there was something about Alexandre—something magnetic, irresistible—that made her want to risk it all.
"Lead the way," Taylor said, her voice soft but resolute.
The walk to the exit felt like a slow-burning crescendo. The lights and music faded into the background, leaving only the palpable pull between them. Alexandra led the way through the throngs of people, her heart racing not from the adrenaline of the club, but from the sensation of Taylor's presence behind her, closer than she'd ever expected.
They moved through the backdoor of the club, where the night air hit them like a wave. It was cool, refreshing, the kind of chill that always felt like a contrast to the heat still simmering in her body. She glanced over her shoulder and caught Taylor looking at her, an unreadable expression on her face.
They kissed passionately against the wall, until they separated to take a breath.
Alexandra could feel the weight of the question in the air: What now?
Without saying a word, she stepped back, her fingers grazing Taylor's hand in the most casual of gestures—one that wasn't casual at all. The touch was electric, sending a spark of warmth through her entire body. Taylor hesitated for a second but then reached for her, their fingers entwining in the dim light of the alley behind the club.
The distance between them seemed to disappear in that instant.
"Come with me," Alexandra murmured, her voice low, inviting. She could feel Taylor's hesitation, the natural resistance of someone who was always in the spotlight, always scrutinized, always expected to be perfect. But in that moment, Alexandra wasn't asking for anything from her but company. Just the company of someone who understood the quiet suffocation of living in the public eye.
Taylor took a slow breath and nodded, her gaze shifting between Alexandra and the door leading to the street.
"Alright," she said, her voice a little breathless, as if she, too, had been waiting for this.
They walked in silence for a few moments, hands still clasped together, the sounds of the city bustling around them. They didn't need to speak. The night air seemed to have erased the barriers between them, the walls of expectations and the weight of their roles, leaving only two people walking side by side.
The car was parked a block away, just out of the public's eye, the sleek black SUV a reminder of Alexandra's royal life. But in this moment, she didn't feel like a princess or a member of a famous family. She didn't feel like the face everyone expected her to wear. All she felt was the warmth of Taylor's hand, the anticipation of what would come next.
They slid into the back seat, and Alexandra gave the driver an address—a place far from the prying eyes of the world, a private apartment where the noise of the city couldn't reach.
The drive felt endless, the silence between them filled with the possibility of something new.
When they finally arrived, Alexandra led the way out of the car and into the apartment building. It was discreet, tucked away from the world. As the elevator ascended, neither of them spoke. But the air between them crackled with electricity. There was no pretense now, no game to play. It was just them, stripped of their public personas, with only the quiet beating of their hearts to guide them.
When they reached her apartment, Alexandra unlocked the door and stepped inside, letting the coolness of the space welcome them both. The apartment was minimalist—modern furnishings, sleek lines, a touch of elegance—but it was cozy, private.
Taylor stepped in after her, closing the door behind them. For a moment, neither of them moved, standing just a few feet apart. The city lights filtered in through the large windows, casting a soft glow over the room.
Alexandra turned to face Taylor, her heart pounding in her chest. She wasn't sure what was going to happen next, but there was something undeniable about the connection between them. The tension from the club had only deepened, and now that they were alone, it felt like it could finally reach its peak.
Taylor looked at her for a moment, then spoke, her voice quieter now. "You know this is risky, right? We both know what happens when people like us—" she paused, looking at Alexandra with a mix of seriousness and curiosity, "—get too close."
Alexandra stepped toward her, closing the gap between them. Her eyes met Taylor's, steady and unflinching. "I don't care about the risks anymore," she said, her voice barely a whisper. "Not with you. I want you since I saw you in the palace"
Taylor's breath hitched, her eyes flickering to Alex's lips, then back to her eyes. She took a step forward, and suddenly they were only inches apart, the space between them charged with something that neither could ignore.
Without thinking, Alexandra leaned in, her lips brushing against Taylor's in a soft, almost tentative kiss. It was a moment of connection, a moment where all the doubts, the questions, the noise of the world fell away. Taylor's lips were soft, warm, and the taste of her was addictive—sweet, but with a hint of something deeper.
The kiss deepened, their hands finding their way to each other as they moved closer, the electricity between them impossible to ignore. Alexandra's hands slid up Taylor's back, pulling her closer, and Taylor responded, her body pressing against Alexandra's as if she couldn't get close enough.
For a moment, the outside world ceased to exist. There was no palace, no paparazzi, no royal duties or public expectations. There was only the two of them, exploring something far more dangerous—and far more real—than anything either of them had ever experienced.
Finally, they broke apart, both breathing heavily, their faces inches away.
Taylor looked at Alexandra, her voice soft but full of promise. "I didn't expect this," she admitted, her fingers trailing along Alexandra's jawline.
Alexandra smiled, her lips curving into something both playful and sincere. "I think I've surprised both of us tonight."
Taylor's eyes darkened with a new intensity, something that mirrored the heat still simmering between them. "So, what happens now?"
Alexandra leaned in, her breath warm against Taylor's ear. "Now," she whispered, "we find out what happens when we stop pretending."