Chapter 11 Eryx
Eryx
Her eyes flit to my hand, and I lean forward, drop my mouth to her ear. She smells like a promise I’ve always wanted—one I was too afraid to ask for.
Everyone around us leans in as well, so I whisper just loud enough for Chelsea to hear, “No magic. I promise.”
She stiffens and the moment ripples through me, making my own back go rigid.
Then her spine softens, and she gives a slight nod.
Hell, if that’s a yes, I’ll take it.
Take it! Take it!
I pull back and offer my hand once more. She keeps her eyes on mine as she slides her palm over it.
Her skin touches mine.
An electric shock shoots up my arm so hard my throat closes. I exhale slowly, willing the muscles to relax.
It’s just a dance.
It’s not just a dance! This is everything.
For Nightmare, maybe.
Keep telling yourself that.
We move to the center of the room, and Chelsea walks like she’s floating on a cloud. When we’re in position, I wrap one hand around her waist. She inhales sharply, and I squeeze her slightly.
“Don’t worry. You’re safe with me.”
As she slides her hand over my shoulder, she smirks. “You sure about that?”
“Actually, no.”
She stifles a laugh. “That’s what I thought. No man can run this district, these people, rule over the world of dreams—”
“Nightmares,” I correct.
“Rule the world of nightmares and be one hundred percent safe.”
“Safe comes with predictability. And predictability is boring.”
A shadow falls across her face. “Safe is sometimes the best option.”
“And when is that?”
“When you might die.”
I toss my head back and laugh. “And what sort of death are you afraid of, Chelsea?”
She shivers, like the sound of her name dripping from my lips ripped something open inside her.
It’s ripping something open in me. Dip her. Do the tango! Cha-cha! Stop with this stupid box step.
She moves like molten mercury in my arms—effortless, light. I lift my hand and spin her. For just a breath, as she turns, our magic touches—gold threading through shadow. The roses on the back wall bloom brighter.
So bright, I hope she doesn’t notice. Not because I don’t want her to, but because it feels…
Intimate, Nightmare whispers.
Intimate.
The magic settles, and her pink skirt slaps against my slacks with just enough friction to make me steel myself.
“What sort of death should I be afraid of?”
I pretend to think about that. “The mortal kind is so…pedestrian. That’s not you, not with those sparkly shoes. No, I think you’re afraid of a different sort of death, the kind that would snuff out your light, dim your sparkle.”
She swallows and drops her gaze like sadness just grabbed hold of her and squeezed.
Something twists low in my ribs.
I drop my lips to her ear and whisper, “What you should do right now is ask me what sort of death I’m afraid of.”
That brings the light back into her eyes, but it isn’t what she asks. “I already know what kind of death you’re afraid of.”
I miss a step but catch myself before the crowd notices. “And what is that?”
She leans in, and my body pulses. “You’re afraid of a demise that destroys you from the inside out.”
Inside out.
Nightmare is the inside and I’m the outside.
Holy shit.
She is right.
Chelsea nods to the back wall, where a vase of black and gold roses sits. “I thought they were where we left them.”
“Most of them are.”
“Except those.”
“Except those,” I repeat like a fucking bird. “Do I feel safe enough for you? Safe enough where you’ll walk out and choose your own story?”
She blanches and it’s her turn to stumble, but I’m a great dancer, so I catch her before she even notices the slip herself.
“I am choosing my own story,” she murmurs.
“Are you? Being cursed and all.”
“You don’t know anything about it.”
“Then tell me everything.”
She pulls back and looks up at me, her eyes wide. She’s not sure if I can be trusted, so I add, “I don’t kiss and tell.”
“Why not?”
I pause to make sure I’ve heard her correctly. When she doesn’t flinch, I know I have. “I don’t reveal secrets because keeping them is what I do for a living.”
“Nightmares are secrets?”
“They are.”
She tips her chin up. “I have to get married because for my family, magic is a well that must be replenished.”
“And marriage does that?”
Chelsea nods. “And I can marry anyone I want.”
“But that’s not your heart’s desire.”
“That’s an obvious reply.”
Our gazes lock, and I lower my voice. “Because you haven’t lived your life, and being trapped isn’t how you plan to spend the next sixty years on this planet.” I pull back. “How’s that for not obvious?”
Water fills her eyes but doesn’t spill over. Her voice trembles, but only for a beat when she replies, “It’s satisfactory. You get an S on your report card.”
She’s lying! I can smell the lie. It carries the scent of lilies. Push her!
She is lying—trying to be brave.
My heart kicks against my ribs. Not because Nightmare wants her.
Because I just hurt her and she’s not smiling.
I want to see that smile.
When did that become more important than revenge?
What the hell is wrong with me? But I don’t stop asking her more. “And what are you interested in? Love? Chemistry? Danger?”
Her hand squeezes mine. “Maybe all of them.”
“And what if those things aren’t all they’re cracked up to be?”
She drags her teeth over her bottom lip. “Prove it.”
Nightmare shudders. Did…she just say…what I think she said?
“The opposite of danger is responsibility. I’m afraid it’s very boring.”
She shrugs. “Are you trying to convince me or you?” Before I can answer, she says, “And is the person you tried to curse here tonight? Do I know them? Is that the one invitation you wanted filled?”
“I thought we already settled this.” I glance down to see her studying me with a quiet determination that makes my chest quake. “No, that wasn’t who I wanted to come.”
My statement hangs between us—her eyes locked on mine—and she knows the truth. “Why do you want them cursed?”
“Careful, Chelsea. That’s an answer you haven’t earned…yet.”
I wait for Nightmare to latch onto this revenge subplot, but instead it sighs heavily. How soft is her skin, do you think? Not her hand, the other parts.
The song comes to a sudden and swift end. Chelsea curtsies low. “Thank you for the dance, King Eryx. Now…good night and goodbye.”