Page 44 of Until the Stars Fall

I laughed and put my water down, complying with his request. Something small and hard dropped gently into my hand, and a delicate chain draped down beside my thumb, gently swinging.

“Okay, you can open them.”

In my palm was a necklace with two pendants: one, a small burnished circle of metal, had tiny holes punched into a constellation, and the other was two small stones—a green one and a black one—entwined with wire. It warmed my heart to think about his big fingers putting this delicate thing together for me. Or maybe he’d used magic?

“It’s the Sagittarius constellation,” he said, pointing to the punches in the disk. “And the green stone’s aventurine. It attracts luck, success...and love. It’s good for growth and opportunities. The other’s black tourmaline, for protection.”

“You made this for me? It’s beautiful. Thank you.”

“You’re very welcome.” He smiled.

“Would you put it on me?” I handed it back and turned around. After a second, he passed it in front of my face, and I held it in place while his fingers brushed the back of my neck, clasping it. “I’d also like to give you a tarot card reading, if you’re up for it. As part of my gift.”

“Sure.” I turned around, touching the necklace. “I love it, thank you.”

“I’m glad.”

The next song began, a slow love song that’d been released on Earth before we left. I’d skipped it each time it’d come on the radio on the Tube down to New Orleans, but hearing the violins start up sounded so hopeful with Beck beside me.

He cleared his throat. “Do you want to dance?” He raised his eyebrows, gesturing with his eyes to the empty space behind us.

“Yes,” I said, without even considering. He placed his warm hand against my lower back, leading me out onto our own private dance floor.

His hands slipped onto my waist, and I draped my arms over his shoulders. We danced without speaking, exchanging glances, smiling, then looking away. After a moment, he cleared his throat.

“Sooo, are we gonna talk about last night?”

I looked down, my face heating. I didn’t know if he meant the magic or the kiss. Probably both, but I was mortified to talk about either.

“Gemma, you’re amazing. You completely healed my cut with your magic. Not even Zola can do that.”

I risked a glance up. He pointed at his cheek, and one of his winning grins brightened his face. “You didn’t even leave a scar on my pretty face.”

I shook my head. “I should’ve left you one to keep you humble.”

He threw his head back and laughed. “You probably should’ve.”

“Your magic helped.”

“Yeah, I felt that,” he said, twirling me around. “And I’ve never felt anything like it before. I’ve combined magic with other people lots of times, with the coven, my family, ex-girlfriends, but last night was—” He shook his head. “Completely different, and more beautiful than I ever could’ve imagined.”

I was starting to be a little overwhelmed by the excitement blooming on his face and the feel of his hands, back at my waist. I wanted him to hold me closer. Was afraid to let him. I glanced at the stairs. No one was coming up.

He wrinkled his nose and side-eyed me. “If you’d be willing to talk to Zola about your healing magic, I think she could help.”

“Absolutely not. I don’t want anyone else to know.” I gasped. “Wait, was that what her wink was about? You didn’t tell her, did you?”

“No! Of course not. I wouldn’t tell anyone unless you were okay with it.”

I bit my lip. Of course he wouldn’t. I was wrong for asking.

We danced a moment more, silently. He pressed his lips together. There was more on his mind, and I’d just made the mistake of looking at his mouth. God, I wanted to kiss him again.

“Something else I wondered about,” he started, his gaze soft.

“What’s that?” I tipped my face up to his. Dancing had naturally brought us closer. All my senses heightened with my chest pressed to his and his hands on my back.

He leaned in and spoke softly, his lips a breath from mine, his eyes dark and serious. “Was it that forgettable?”

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