He looked up to find found Alexandra patiently waiting for him, her white-gloved fingers still held loosely in his hand. She gave him a sympathetic smile. For some reason that made him feel strange. She felt more- authentic? He pushed it from his mind and followed after her as she continued to lead him to the center of the sphere.

The back of her navy gown displayed black lace over bare skin all the way from the top of her exposed back to just above her hips in the shape of a ...