CHAPTER 40 #2
“There is nothing simple about you.” She walks around me, her heart-shaped, silver gown perfectly framing her figure, her lengthy left leg fully showing with the height of her slit. “I think everyone in that room knows that too.”
She tucks a strand of her teal hair, scrunching her nose as her piercings catch in the light, and leans toward me. “Be that woman I saw that day in the Pyre. Don’t let these people who don’t know you dim that light inside of you.”
Her chin rises as she pulls back and yanks the door wide open. “Now watch how an entrance to a ball is supposed to be done.” She smirks and walks in with grace. “I’m going to find the book this evening with Theon,” she whispers over her shoulder.
All eyes lock on her.
She walks down the raven staircase that shimmers like the nighttime sky with each step she takes, catching the attention of everyone down at the dance floor.
I notice not only Florian’s eyes watching her but also the rest of the men.
Theon and Kaine actually stop chatting once they see her.
Ivker elbows the shit out of Zake, who spills his drink mid-sip.
But Koen, his back is turned towards her, drinking out of a slender glass.
Interesting.
Maybe because Lykia stands in the nearby corner with Skie, watching his and Florian’s every move. I can sense Skie’s jealousy all the way over here as she notices Florian’s lingering stare.
Klayra stops, purposeful at the bottom of the stairs, glancing towards me. She knows I’m watching.
Her lips curl into a mischievous grin, clearing her voice for everyone in the room to hear.
“May I have your attention?” Her back arches upright, tossing her hand outward to the side. “May I present you, Serene, the woman who burns. Our first woman in the battle games. Our first…” she turns towards me, giving a subtle wink, “woman in the chosen!”
Damn her. I should have killed her.
My eyes shut, lips pulling between my teeth.
There is no turning back. My lips part as I let out a shaky breath and raise my chin upright.
I can do this.
I slide the door open, eyes staring at the floor. My crimson-red dress catches the golden lights that hang from the ceiling, the hues of fire, bold against the midnight-black flooring. I take a step, catching sight of the trickling lights that resemble stars dancing around my heels.
My chest rises, and I inhale deeply as I raise my gaze upward and notice all eyes are on me.
I can’t hide from this. I am in sight. Vulnerable.
With hesitation and everything inside me begging to run back down the stairs and leave, I lift my eyes.
Death is in the corner, arms crossed with a fruit in handle, giving me a subtle nod.
But as my fingers reach out to curl around the raven railings, Koen shifts on his heel, his emerald eyes lifting from the multi-colored marble flooring to meet mine.
My knees buckle, leaning into the wall as I take my first step.
My eyes never linger from his gaze.
He sets his glass down, following my movement with his eyes as he takes a step forward and away from the table.
The violins in the background begin to play, a melody so gentle, people begin to grab one another and walk out to the dance floor.
Koen weaves through them, never blinking.
My heart wants to leap out from my chest and allow him to take it at last.
But it’s impossible. This will be a forever torture. A forever heartbreak.
I reach the floor and let my fingers delicately trail off of the railings and pull them in front of my body. I must make sure I touch no one. I will not burn anyone.
Kaine catches sight of Koen walking towards me, he lifts his glass, spilling the beverage as his brows lift and a smirk paints along his lips.
“Enjoy,” he mouths out.
“I hate you,” I mouth back towards him.
His pearly-white teeth beam a smile through his lips before he turns towards Theon, gripping his shoulders tightly as they engage in conversation.
“Seems as if the Queen put you in something to represent you and your horse, don’t you think?” Koen’s brows lift, eyes tracing every detail along my dress. “You look beautiful.”
“Thank you.” My chin tilts to the side, eyes catching the dark midnight suit that reveals his scarred chest, paired with a golden chain that dangles from his collar down to his pocket.
Dragon wings with the symbol of the eight.
“You look…” I clear my throat, “very put together. Your hair is actually decent for once.”
“Wait.” He takes a daring step towards me, a cocky grin pulling along his lips. “You’re saying you don’t like my messy hair?”
I glance away, my lips pulling into a soft grin even though I try everything to force it away. “No. I don’t.”
That's a damn lie.
He breathes a sarcastic laugh before placing his palm over his heart and leaning towards me. “I’m hurt.”
My eyes roll back before meeting his again. He takes his hand, racking his curls, tussling them up to make them untamed, forcing his curls to shake in front of me. His emerald eyes glisten in the light as he lifts his chin to meet my gaze.
My heart flutters.
I sigh. “You normally look as if you just rolled out of bed is all I am saying.”
He leans closer. “That used to be your favorite look.”
My eyes widen, glancing around to make sure no one heard him. “I swear you’ll be the death of me.”
“Do you remember at the celebration of my parents, I didn’t even wear a suit?” He ignores my words, glancing down at his outfit. “I always said they would catch me dead wearing one of these.”
“I do remember. Your mother was annoyed by you.” I adjust my dress, feeling the tightness constricting my breathing. “Your hair was also a damn mess that night.”
He chuckles, his pearly-white teeth beaming brightly against his skin.
“This will be the one night I will ever wear one.” He tucks a curl behind his ear. “However, you are missing something, Spark.”
I catch sight of people glaring at us, making my stomach turn into tight knots. “And what is that?”
He nods to a guard close by who begins to walk over. I notice ball gown gloves, the same color red that matches my dress, with flame-like designs that will cover my skin.
“You will need these.” He grabs them, nodding towards the guard again in thanks and holding them out for me. “If you are wanting to dance with someone special tonight.”
My eyes widen. “For me?”
“Yes.”
I grab one glove, pulling it up to my elbow before grabbing the other one. “This is very thoughtful. Thank you.”
He clears his throat, lifting his chin as he holds out his hand. “Would you like to test them out?”
“Are you asking for a dance?” My eyes frantically scan the ballroom, searching for Lykia. “I don’t think that is a good idea, Koen.”
“I think it's the best idea I have had yet.” His lips pull into a soft grin as he grabs my hand in his. “I will not let her hurt you.”
“At this point, I feel as if you are trying to have me killed,” I mutter under my breath, following his lead, but all he does is grin ear to ear.
He pulls me out towards the dance floor, his other hand behind his back before shifting towards me to take a slow bow. My eyes scan the area, head shifting side to side as all their eyes are glued to me.
I’m panicking.
My heart flutters, feeling the pulsing radiate throughout my head when he pulls me into him. His hand wraps around my back, taking his other hand and curling his fingers into mine.
I can’t focus. I can’t look towards him. My eyes flicker everywhere else.
“Don’t look at them, look at me,” he whispers, pulling me closer towards his body. I inhale his scent, calming my heart.
“They are all staring at us. Why?”
“They are staring at you.”
I lock eyes with him, his emerald tones highlighted with golden hues from the lights. “I don’t want them staring at me.”
“I wish you could remember.” He leans in, lips almost brushing against my ear. “They have always stared at you. Never your sister. It has always been you.”
“I don’t want it.” I lift my chin, catching sight of Lykia, whose lips curl with disgust as she whispers towards Skie. Damn it. She sees us.
“Do you ever remember this?” His hand drifts slowly down my back, lingering before he drops down to my waist. “Do you ever recall those nights when I held you close, tracing every freckle on your body with my fingertips, longing to memorize the map of your skin? I can still see every detail of your skin, every curve, every scar… even if it has been centuries.”
My eyes shut, allowing him to lead us. His voice drops to a sensual whisper that makes the hair on the arms rise. “All I see is you.”
My breath hitches as my eyes widen, his warm breath tickling my neck. His movements hypnotize me, I feel his lips too close to my skin.
“It will always be you.” His nose brushes against my hair, his proximity making my eyes flutter shut to keep my composure..
“Koen, we promised—”
“Or do you remember the nights I’d kiss you, from your head down to your shoulders. Your fingers curled into my hair, never wanting me to stop for a second to breathe.”
“Koen, we can’t,” I breathe out. “We promised not to do this.”
“Do you remember when our lips touched, how it was impossible for us to ever break free?”
His fingers glide along my waist, pulling my chest towards him, filling in any distance between us. He is too close.
The violins change tempo, their notes swirling around in the air almost making the two of us impossible to separate. Koen lips curl in a defiant movement as he draws closer to mine. His emerald eyes soften, darting between my gaze and the very spot he longs to kiss.
He shifts closer, our lips so close if I dare to move, they’d touch his.
“You are too close,” I breathe out, almost begging him not to take this risk.
“I’m not close enough.”
Our eyes lock and everything else fades. The music… dead to my ears. The eyes of others disappear. The only thing that matters is getting lost in his eyes.