17. Amon
17
AMON
I pace nervously as a small army of lesser bustles about, setting up the dining room. I watch as they bring platters upon platters of food in, decorating the table.
It was far too much food for any one person, but I wanted to impress Elora.
A couple of demoness lesser make their way in with pots of jasmine, and I instruct them to place the plants in the middle of the table.
A few candles are lit and scattered down the center, casting an ambient glow.
It’s perfect.
When I am sure everything is in place, I pace in front of the large fireplace. I sent Balail to help her get ready and threatened her within an inch of her life if she so much as laid a claw on her.
Elora should be here by now.
I shove a hand through my hair, adjusting my vest. Growling, I turn and start to walk towards the entrance of the room, ready to go check on her, when I hear footsteps coming down the corridor.
I freeze as Balail rounds the corner first, meeting my eyes instantly. The expression on her face is unreadable.
Elora rounds the corner a moment later, and my heart stutters.
She’s utterly breathtaking.
The cream gown she’s wearing hugs her small frame from bodice to hip. The sleeves are sheer, and tight to the wrist, and the skirts fall away to flow freely around her legs.
Her silver hair had been brushed until dry and fell in loose waves around her shoulders and down her back.
Her eyes find mine and time stops.
Everyone and everything falls away. It’s just me and her. Even from this distance I lose myself in her lavender depths.
I don’t realize I’m moving until I’m taking her hands in mine, and time comes crashing back down around me.
I drink her in before clearing my throat.
“Elora.”
My voice is thick with desire, and I clear my throat again.
“You look lovely.”
I bow to her, raising her hand to my lips. I hold her gaze as I brush them over the back of her hand.
“Thank you.” She whispers.
Her lips part and her cheeks redden, and it takes everything I have not to pull her to me and devour her.
She dips to me slightly, and I lead her to the chair next to mine, pulling it and gesturing for her to sit.
She sits gently, smoothing her skirts and pushing her hair over her shoulder. My fingers itch with the desire to help her, if only to have an excuse to touch her.
When she looks up at me again her eyes widen slightly, and I know she can see my desire for her.
I sit next to her, adjusting my vest and reaching out to grab a decanter of wine. Reaching for her glass, I turn to question her with my gaze. She nods, and I pour her a glass.
“Thank you, for inviting me to join you tonight.” She says softly, taking the glass when I offer it to her.
The liquid is a rich amber, and I watch her throat work as she takes a few sips.
“Thank you for joining me.” I answer, pouring myself a glass as well.
I see movement out of the corner of my eye and turn to catch a glimpse of a red leg and tail retreating from the entrance of the dining room.
I turn back to Elora, regarding her quietly, soaking in her presence.
The air sizzles between us.
She meets my gaze, holding it for a moment before dropping her head, her cheeks reddening deeply.
I gesture to the table in front of us.
“I’ve added a little bit of everything to our meal tonight. I wasn’t sure what you would like.”
I reach out to pull a few things closer to Elora, and smile as she reaches out to start grabbing items from the plates I pull closer.
“It all looks and smells so amazing.” She says. My smile widens as I follow her lead, serving myself some of the same things she was. I wanted to try everything she liked.
Elora reaches out and takes her glass, drinking deeply.
Conversation flows easily between us as we each eat, enjoying each other’s company. A few times she reaches out to grab something new, placing half the item on my plate to try as well.
The gesture warms my heart, and I can’t help but chuckle when she grimaces after trying a roasted oyster.
“Ok I don’t like that one.” She sputters as she hands it to me.
I lean my head back, letting the shellfish slide down my throat.
When I look at her, she’s hiding a wide smile behind her hand. I grin at her, fangs and all, and she blushes, giggling.
I sit against the back of my chair, sighing as I reach for my glass.
“I’m stuffed.” I growl, taking a long sip of wine.
Elora nods around a bite of lamb, setting her fork down and leaning back against her chair as well.
“Me too.” She reaches for her glass, but I stop her, taking the decanter to add a little more wine to her glass.
“Thank you.” She says as she drinks deeply.
Having her near puts me in easy mood, and I start to ask her questions. I want to know everything about her. Her likes, her dislikes, the books she’s read and the things that bring her joy and happiness.
When conversation quiets between us, I reach out, taking her hand in mine. She gasps softly but doesn’t pull away.
I watch her face as I run the pad of my thumb over the top of her hand.
She watches, enraptured. When her eyes meet mine, she pulls her bottom lip between her teeth.
I track the movement, cursing the way my body responds to such a simple action.
Releasing her, I push my chair back, standing to move behind her.
I pull her chair back, reaching out to request her hand.
“If you would do me the honor.”
Elora smiles up at me, and my heart swells as she places her hand in mine a second later. I pull her up, leading her away from the table and out of the dining room.
Elora
Maybe it was the wine, maybe it was the way my body reacted when Amon was near, but my body felt languid and warm as he led me from the dining room.
He takes my arm and I place my hand over his as we walk down the corridor. His scent assaults my senses, and I look up at him to find him watching me.
I avert my gaze.
“Where are we going?” I ask as he leads me around a corner.
My question is answered a moment later as we enter a large ballroom.
I gasp as we pass the threshold.
The entire room is lit by rows and rows of candles. The ceiling is black and ornate, and carved figures of small, winged demons decorate the walls.
One entire wall boasts floor to ceiling ornate doors, and I sigh when I realize the outside veranda is lit up with candelabras as well.
Amon leads me to the center of the room, his hand never releasing mine. Somewhere a violin begins to play softly, and the sound sends goosebumps along my skin.
It felt like it had been forever since I heard music.
Other instruments join in, and Amon pulls me close, his hand spanning my waist. I reach up, placing a hand on his upper arm, and his intake of breath doesn’t go unnoticed.
I look up at him, smiling.
His eyes glint in the candlelight, and then he’s twirling me across the dance floor. His eyes never leave mine, and I can see the room spinning around us from my peripheral. It doesn’t make me feel dizzy, and Amon’s grip on my waist grounds me.
Music fills the space around us, and everything fades away. It’s just me and him in this moment, and my heart skips a beat.
I could get used to this.
The way he makes me feel is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced.
I could live this life with him. I could...love him.
I catch a glimpse of red out of the corner of my eye as he spins me around, but when he twirls me a second time it’s gone.
Amon pulls me in close, his hand pressing against the small of my back.
We’re both breathless, and I gasp, my lips parting slightly.
Leaning back, I look into his eyes. His pupils dilate, and it’s just then that I realize we aren’t twirling anymore.
The air buzzes between us, and I place a hand against his chest.
I can feel his heart hammering beneath the fabric of his vest, and I can feel how my own heart rhythm matches his.
Looking down at the place where my hand meets his chest, I pull my bottom lip between my teeth.
Amon’s deep growl is the only warning I get as his hand wraps around the nape of my neck, and his lips crash against mine.
I gasp, stiffening, and he breaks the kiss immediately, releasing me and taking a few steps backwards.
I lift a hand to place the back of it against my mouth. My lips tingle, and my limbs tremble.
“I am sorry, Elora.”
Amon’s voice is strained, and before I have a chance to reach out to him, he turns on his heel, leaving me alone in the ballroom.
My entire body feels like gelatin, and it takes everything I have to will myself to move.
Slowly, I lift my skirts, letting out a shaky breath as I walk back to my chamber.