Five #3
Calix turned back toward us “Excuse me, I have some,” he cleared his throat a second time, “business to tend to, it seems. Go enjoy the celebration.” Cutting the conversation short, he, Florence, and Aspen took their leave.
Vertical wrinkles appeared between Neil’s brows.
“What was that about?” I questioned.
Neil lifted his hand that wasn’t snaked around my back and gently pushed my curls away from my face. “You mustn’t worry about it. How about we dance instead, hm?”
I smiled. “Really?”
“Of course, but first, let’s have a drink. Calix requested you try it, after all.” His smile was mischievous and playful.
Neil and I made our way over to the refreshment table. It would be a lie to say I didn’t notice the looks we received. It was a bit nerve-wracking, truthfully. The way they stared at me.
I looked down at the glass he handed me and the sparkling pink liquid within it. “Why is it that I don’t have wings? Is that why they are staring at me?”
Neil hesitated, taking a sip of his own drink as if to buy himself some time to figure out how to answer that question.
“That is a discussion for another time. Let them stare if they wish. They are more than welcome to bask in your beauty if they desire.” He paused.
“Now, drink.” He doesn’t know, either. That’s why he doesn’t want to answer.
“Are you asking or ordering?” I hummed, changing the topic of conversation whilst trying to ignore the eyes on me.
Neil leaned in close, his nose inches from mine. “Ordering,” he said in a low tone. He lifted his hand to tilt my glass toward my lips, not giving me a choice in the matter.
The wine was sweet. Sweeter than any wine I’d ever tasted. While it was cold on the initial sip, it felt warm sliding down my throat. Within moments, I felt light and airy. A giggle parted from my lips. The colors around me became more colorful, the music more vibrant.
Neil smiled at me, offering a second glass not long after I finished the first. The rest of the night was a bit of a blur. I danced and danced and danced the night away. Around and around Neil spun me, feeling the warmth of his embrace each time I accidentally stumbled into him.
For the first time, I felt free.
As we danced, there was a feeling of closeness, an electricity, that we didn’t have before. A warmth and desire within his touch. A sense of longing. His arm remained around me at all times. Protectively, almost.
Everything was good and gold. The background was a blur, bits and pieces of the night became hazy in my memory. Much like a dense blanket of clouds that blocked those memories from me, keeping them just barely out of reach.
I giggled, not realizing that I ended up somehow sitting on his lap. One of his hands wrapped around my back, and the other cupped my face, his thumb slowly caressing my bottom lip. I felt warm. Giddy.
I felt happy.
One moment I was on his lap, giggling the night away, and the next I was dancing, and then I somehow found myself stumbling around the corner and right into Acheron, of all people.
“Accheroonn!” I giggled, not noticing how pale he looked or the man he was with either. So secretive! How scandalous!
“Oh Gods, Aerilyn, are you drunk?” he asked.
“Yer drunk, Acheron!” I hiccupped.
He sighed, pulling me closer against him to keep me standing upright.
“How did you even wander all the way out here? Where is Neil?” he asked, his eyes searching the crowd behind me.
I giggled. He turned to the man he was with, nearly stumbling in the process of trying to keep me standing.
“Is this… her?” the man asked, his arms crossed.
“Yeah, not a single word. Not one, Mateo,” Acheron replied with urgency.
Mateo had vibrant blue eyes and curly brown hair.
His attire was dark blue and silver, colors I didn’t recognize.
Even if I was sober, I wouldn’t have anyway.
He was as pretty as every other man I’d met since crossing the Wall.
His hair looked soft; I was half-minded to touch it.
Perhaps eternity wasn’t so bad after all when I was surrounded by an endless sea of beautiful faces.
Though, none compared to Lord Neil’s beauty… except for—
“You’re pretty.” I reached a finger toward Mateo.
He chuckled. Acheron seemed less than amused, rolling his eyes.
“Your High Lord has seemed to misplace his pet,” Mateo quipped, poking fun at Acheron, or so it seemed.
Acheron rolled his eyes. “Enough. She’s not—” His lips formed a line, unamused. “Help me, please.”
Mateo sighed. “Ugh, fine.”
“Thank you.” There was a sense of longing in his eyes. Mateo and he shared a knowing look.
In one swift movement, Mateo slid one arm under my knees and the other around my back. I giggled, not expecting him to pick me up. Let alone that abruptly.
“Easy there, Sunshine, let’s get you back to your Lord, hm?”
Acheron followed behind. “Mkkaayy.” I leaned my head against Mateo’s chest. He smelled like a fireplace in the middle of winter.