Limerence
famous young things #2
a NOVEL BY SCARLETT DRAKE
Opens 25th February 2025
LIMERENCE
A MM BALLET RIVAL TO LOVERS ROMANCE
Felix
Dancing is everything to me. It’s the mother I lost, the father who never sees me. It’s the fiery love of my life, and I’ll defend it to my last breath—that’s what it means to be the lead principal at one of the best ballet companies in the world. Just when I thought I was on top, my greatest rival—my eternal nemesis—waltzes back into my life: Nicoló Savini. The ache in my bones and the bane of my existence.
If he thinks I’ll sit back and let him steal my spotlight, he’s sorely mistaken. No one’s taking this from me—not my father, not my ridiculously hot rival, and certainly not the confusing feelings that twist inside me every time I see Nico dance up close. He’ll regret coming here, to my city, my company. I’ll make damn sure of it.
Nico
Felix Taylor-Brooke has been my fiercest competition for years. I should loathe everything about him: his entitlement, his arrogance, that painfully captivating beauty. Felix was born for ballet; I was forged by it. People call us rivals, but that’s just the surface matter. Anyone who bothers to look any closer would see there’s something else simmering beneath, something we’ve both been fighting against for years.
When I walked away from ballet two years ago, I thought I was free. But then I was offered the one thing I’d always wanted, and I knew I’d regret not seeing this through. I know he’ll hate it, and I know he’ll likely make my life a waking nightmare, but honestly, I don’t sleep that well anyway. We might kill each other, but if we don’t, then we might be about to take on the greatest roles of our lives.
Felix taylor-brooke
Lead principal
Felix was born in Richmond, and fell in love with ballet after seeing the Nutcracker at age 5. He has been lead principal at the London Ballet Company since 2020. Felix is fiery, beautiful, and exceptionally talented. Trouble is, he knows it. His daddy issues are as legendary as his entrechat, as is his loathing for his biggest rival: Nico Savini.
Nicolò Savini
Lead principal
Nicolò was born in Calabria, Italy but moved to the US aged twelve to train under Sergio Cina, one of the most respected ballet coaches in the world. After Sergio’s death, Nico takes an unplanned two year hiatus from ballet, and on his return signs a contract with the London Ballet Company. Where his long-time rival happens to be lead principal.
Ava Sheridan
Principal
Ava hails from Cork, Ireland and has been dancing for longer than she has walked. A Principal with LBC, she is also Felix’s ‘ride or die’. His best friend, confidant, and flatmate. Described as having a ‘gutter mouth’ she swears a lot when angry and makes a mean Assasins Pasta.
Sir Christian Darling
Foreign Secretary, british government
Well respected widower, Christian Darling is a former Human Rights lawyer turned MP. He was elected to the UK parliament in 2016, and appointed to the cabinet as Foreign Secretary in 2021. He works closely with Felix’s father and is well liked among his colleagues and the general public. He has been tipped as a future Prime Minister.
Charlie de vere
Soloist
Another of Felix’s close friends. He is (not so) secretly in love with Felix which Felix mainly pretends not to know about and is adamant won't affect their friendship. Felix is protective of Charlie, as he is with all of his friends, and treats him as more of a younger brother.
Adrian Brooke
Conservative party whip
Adrian is Felix’s father and their relationship is fractious, laced with disdain and mainly non-existent. Adrian is, and always has been, a career politician. He has very little interest in his son or his son’s career, as long as it does not reflect badly on him. Felix’s ‘out and proud’ nature is not something his father likes. They live in the same city but see each other as little as possible.
bENEDICT Wells
Director of The Company
Benedict (Ben) Wells is the esteemed director of the London Ballet Company, highly regarded in the dance community. Once a promising dancer himself, a back injury ended his career twenty-five years ago. He previously worked under the former director of LBC and had a close personal relationship with him before taking over after his passing. In the past five years, Ben has revitalized the company, elevating it to the status of one of the "big five" ballet companies.
Sofia Wynter
Lead principal, san francisco ballet
Sofia is a gifted American ballerina with the San Francisco Ballet and is also Nico's ex-girlfriend. Their breakup occurred over two years before the story begins, and they have since lost touch. The circumstances surrounding their split are fodder for gossip within the ballet community, with rumors suggesting that Nico may have cheated on her with multiple dancers.
Porzia Barbieri
Nico's Sister
Separated at a young age when Nico moved to the US, he and his sister have rekindled their bond. During his hiatus, Nico supported her with the arrival of her new baby, Auro, who was born just a few months after he left his position at Romasco. She is anxious about his upcoming move to London and fears that it might jeopardize their relationship once again.
london ballet company
Song of the iliad
from the