Page 39 of Magic & Mochas
At the heart of the room, a carved crystal pumpkin changed colors every few minutes, and marked the place where the refreshments would be summoned later in the evening.Laughter mingled with the rustle of wings and trailing cloaks, and amidst the swirling magic, it felt like anything was possible.
I quickly spotted Kana in the crowd, and whispered to Thorne that I was going to go greet her while he visited with some of his acquaintances, a werewolf and a strong-looking oni demon.Kana looked divine in a silvery gown covered with blue crystals that glimmered like blue foxfire in the low light.A beaded headdress was draped around her fox ears, and a discreet hole in the back of her dress allowed her tails to move freely.
“I’m so glad you came!”Kana squealed, taking my glove-covered hands in hers.
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” I said warmly.“Especially since I know a certainsomeonesupplied the cupcakes for tonight’s desserts.”
Kana winked.“I have a feeling you’ll love them.And Ialsohave a feeling there will be an excellent beverage to go with them.”
“I recommend the Aurora Affogato—you’ll be sparkling and glowing in no time.”I loved watching her blue eyes grow round with excitement.
“Thanks for the tip!”She looked around, scanning those around us.“But where’s—”
“Your stylish dragon friend?Right here, of course!”Mei said with a grin as she joined us.
“Mei-Mei!I was just starting to wonder if some gentledragon had appeared and spirited you away before all the fun!”Kana teased her with a sly grin.
Mei gave a very unladylike snort.“I wish!Do point me in the direction of any handsome dragons you happen to see.This girl is single, and very much ready to mingle!”
Just then, the string quartet switched from playing soft, ambient music to a far livelier tune.
“The dancing is about to start!Shall we go find ourselves some handsome partners?”Kana asked excitedly.
“I think we can help with that,” rumbled an unfamiliar voice.
We turned to see Thorne standing nearby with the werewolf and oni he had been chatting with earlier.
“Would you do me the honor of this dance?”The oni held out his hand to Kana.He looked much like a human, except for the twin horns protruding from his hairline and the red markings on his face.
“I would be delighted.”She placed her hand delicately in his, and off they went to the dance floor.I suspected I might be seeing them on a date in my shop sometime soon.
“May I have this dance?”The werewolf offered his hand to Mei, who gracefully accepted.
“Shall we join them, Lady Clove?”Thorne bowed slightly before holding out his hand to me.
“We shall, Sir Thorne.”I tried not to grin too broadly as I played along, or to blush too deeply when he brushed a kiss to the back of my hand.
The shadowmancer led us out into the center of the dance floor, among all the swishing skirts and sweeping tails.Thorne placed one hand at my waist and intertwined our fingers, and swept me along in time with the music.
We moved together slowly, the world fading around us.My pulse matched the rhythm of the music, of his breath.Shadows curled lazily around my waist, gentle and supportive.
The music wrapped around us like a warm embrace.Candlelight flickered across his cheekbones, catching in his eyes, which glittered as he watched me.My breath hitched as he twirled me, and adjusted his pace perfectly to match mine.The way he was looking at me, like nothing in the world could tear his gaze away, left me feeling almost dizzy.
No one had ever looked at me like that—not even my former fiancé.
The lively song ended, but neither of us moved to leave the dance floor.The next song started up; a slow waltz.I don’t remember when my hand drifted to his chest, resting just over the steady beat of his heart, which seemed to beat in time with mine.I didn’t realize when his thumb began to move in slow circles on the back of my hand.And I certainly didn’t know why looking up at him suddenly felt like falling and flying at the same time.
I had fallen for him.Completely and utterly.Despite my best efforts, despite my fears, despite every time I had reminded myself that this was pretend, that Thorne was only humoring me in exchange for free rent…he had captured my heart with his shadows.And oh, how warm his shadows turned out to be!
But did he feel the same?I had been such a poor judge of character with Rasmus.Was I about to make the exact same mistake?Or could I trust the emotions I could see in his violet eyes, the ones he had never voiced aloud?
“You’re being unusually quiet,” I murmured, mostly to break the spell of silence that hung over us like a wave about to crash.Would it sweep me away?Should I risk speaking the question that hovered on my lips?
Thorne tilted his head slightly.“So are you.”
I smiled.Even though we hadn’t known each other all that long, he still knew me surprisingly well.“Something’s been on my mind.”
He gave me a rare smile.“Care to share?I’m all ears.”
