I wanted to believe we could be more, somehow we could be together, but it couldn’t happen.
No. Not couldn’t.
It shouldn’t happen.
But I still wanted it to, and he did too, I could see it clearly.
And the thing about desire? Eventually, you have to give in, and we were both clearly at our breaking point.
I broke eye contact first and he shook his head in response, not like he was frustrated but as if he needed to clear his head.
We both took a breath before starting down the stairs.
Enchanters strolled through the foyer decked out in their finery. Their chatter was loud but cheerful sounding. I’d never seen this many enchanters in one area. It was a bit shocking to see them even though I knew they’d be there.
I held my skirt up so I didn’t trip over it and we moved slowly so I didn’t fall over in my heels. The ceiling above the foyer shimmered with a spell that showed the night sky. Chandeliers floated amidst it at different levels, suspended by nothing.
Trays of food shuffled through the crowd as if carried by a person, but no one and nothing held them.
We reached the bottom of the stairs and let go of Theo’s arm. He was quick to grab my hand, though, and when I looked at him in question, he explained, “I feel better with you close.”
Those words shouldn’t have pleased me as much as they did.
We walked around the foyer and he swiped something off one of the trays and handed it to me before grabbing another for himself.
I popped it into my mouth. “Mmm, that’s delicious.” It tasted like peach and the flavor exploded in my mouth. It made me realize how hungry I was. Adelaide and I had been in my room so long we hadn’t gotten lunch.
I grabbed another sample of food off another passing tray. This one was a mini cheeseburger with unique toppings I didn’t want to think about or I might not eat it. I finished it in two quick bites and dabbed at my mouth with the napkin it had been on.
“The ballroom is this way.” Theo led me down the hall and instead of going into one of the usual rooms we came to first, he kept walking.
We turned left when we reached what I’d always believed to be the end—I’d never come down this far since I never needed to—and gasped. Double doors were open at the end of the hall and I could see people dancing, the sound of music trickling out to us. It was some piano melody that was soft and beautiful with a slight melancholy tone.
When we stepped into the room I was even more blown away. The marble floors shimmered from all the chandeliers and the ceiling was done with gold detailing and a painted mural of angels. Round tables were scattered about and some people used them but for the most part, everyone was dancing.
I was taken too by the beauty of so many people dressed up in their elegant finery and the intricate masks. These were far more beautiful and mysterious than most of the silly ones I’d seen at Halloween.
“Can I—” Theo started to say but then Naomi sidled up to us.
She’d left us alone the last couple of months, but I should’ve realized that would change tonight.
She was dressed in a slinky pale pink dress. If I didn’t hate her so much I might admit how good she looked in it. Her blond hair was pulled back into a sleek ponytail, hanging straight halfway down her back. Her mask was a similar shade of pink as her dress and shimmered in the light.
“Theodore, there you are. I’ve been looking for you.” She placed her hand on his arm and batted her eyes at him. “I was hoping you’d like to dance with me?”
His lip curled in disgust. “Actually, I was about to ask Mara if she wanted to dance.” Ignoring Naomi outright, he turned his back on her and faced me. “Mara?”
I was stunned silent for a second. Two. Three.
“Yes,” I stuttered. “I’d love to dance.”
I might spontaneously combust on the dance floor but at least I’d die happy.
Naomi huffed and stomped her foot before flouncing away.
Good riddance.
Girls like her made me sick. They were so desperate to be queen bee they didn’t care who they hurt in the process—even themselves.
Theo grinned at me, his gray eyes twinkling through the mask. He guided me onto the dance floor and let go of my hand, placing one hand on my waist before taking my other hand in his.
“I don’t know how to dance like this,” I hissed, glancing around and noting the elegant waltz the other dancing guests were performing.
“Lucky for you, I’m an expert.”
“Sometimes your self-confidence makes me want to punch you.”
“You’d never punch me. You might ruin my pretty face and you wouldn’t like that.”
“I might like it if you couldn’t talk for a couple of days,” I grumbled under my breath.
He chuckled. “You don’t mean that. You never do.”
He was right like always.
“Breathe,” he reminded me, and began to move us around the dance floor.
I took a breath and tried not to think about where we were and what we were doing. If I didn’t overthink it then surely I couldn’t mess it up.
He leaned in close, his breath fanning over my face. “I didn’t tell you yet, but you are the most stunning creature I have ever laid my eyes on.”
I shivered at his words.
“You’re not so bad yourself.” I forced my eyes to his.
Even though I knew he was the same person behind the mask, something about it made him feel entirely different. Like we weren’t Mara and Theo. We were someone new, people who could be together.
He brushed his nose against mine. “Don’t look at me like that,” he begged.
“Like what?” My voice was shaky and barely audible.
“Like you want me more than anything else in this world.”
“What if I do? What would you say to that?”
He winced like he was actually in pain. He wet his lips and took a breath. “I’d say don’t. It can’t end up anywhere good.”
“Why?” I asked. “Why would it be so bad if we were in love? Why is it not allowed? Wouldn’t you protect me even more fiercely if you were in love with me?”
“I am in love with you,” he hissed. “I think I was before I even met you,” he growled, moving a piece of hair over my shoulder. “But if you’re in love with me that’s where the problem lies. I’m supposed to fight to the death to keep you safe. Love … Love makes us do stupid things. I can’t let you risk your life for mine. And that’s what would happen.”
“How do you know?”
“Because …,” he paused, his voice no more than a whisper, “I would die for you not because it’s my job, or duty, or even because I have to, but because I couldn’t bear the thought of anything happening to you. I would gladly have my life taken to ensure yours, because I love you, and as long as your heart keeps beating that’s all that matters.” His fingers touched my cheek lightly before moving back to my waist.
“It’s too late, you know.”
“What?” he asked staring down at me as we continued to dance, entrapped in our own little bubble. The other dancers had ceased to exist long ago.
“I’m already in love with you,” I whispered.