Page 101 of Heart of a Witch
Elijah slumped. “That was harder than I thought.” He turned, brushing his hand along my cheek. “Are you okay? Did he hurt you?”
I shook my head. “You saved me.”
He rested his head against my forehead. “I couldn’t have done this without you.” He closed his eyes, and the joy I’d felt moments ago slipped away. I wanted to hold him back, to tell him I wasn’t going anywhere, but it would have been a lie, because there was only one final step left in our plan.
To kill Damian Shaw.
“I’m going to hold a ball,” he said, interrupting my thoughts. “It’s customary when becoming the head of a household, but in reality, I’m going to do it for you. My life has been filled with so much unhappiness, as has yours. We deserve some joy.” He looked up the stairs. “I just need a day first.”
“Take all the time you need, and also, a ball isn’t necessary.”
“Please, I want to do this. Will you stay here with me until then?”
I pressed my lips together. It would allow me to be close to Damian, and a ball was a good cover for murder, with loud music to cover the screams and a ton of suspects in attendance. “I’ll stay here. Besides, Eva loves a ball.”
***
Alex may have been without a voice, but it didn’t stop her from still somehow being the loudest in the room. Her very presence demanded attention.
My navy-blue, floor-length dress trailed out behind me, glittering as if it were made of a thousand stars. It clung tight to my curves. Alex’s deep-purple dress flowered at her knees, with roses wrapped delicately around her waist like a belt. Her hair was tied up into a high ponytail, falling down one shoulder as if her hair were wound of silk. Cas removed his top hat, disheveling his dark hair. He picked a piece of lint from his tailcoat and smirked when he looked around the room.
Everyone was looking at us, and for once, we didn’t shy away. We were out for blood, and we didn’t care who knew.
“Ambrose.” Lady Montague didn’t try to hide her delight at seeing my brother. Her cheeks pinkened when she stepped away from her husband. “I owe you a dance. You’re on my card.”
Ambrose took her arm, his chin lifted as he led her onto the dance floor.
Her husband extended his hand toward us, but Alex recoiled away, and I pressed my lips together. “No.”
His eyebrows flicked upward. “What a rude young lady.”
Alex bared her teeth, and he backed away.
I couldn’t help but chuckle. “Fuck, Alex, you could try some subtlety.”
She gave me a look.
“I know, that’s like asking a fish not to swim.”
She smiled and I spotted Corbin enter the room. He was handsome in his dress suit. He’d even slicked his hair back.
“I’m glad you met him. He cares about you.”
She nodded and brushed her hand against mine. Corbin found her from across the room and looked at her as if she were the only person who existed among the sea of people. She steadied herself, holding my hand, and I saw her swallow hard before she stepped away from me.
When she reached him, he cupped both sides of her face, resting his forehead against hers. In a gentle motion, he lightly touched her throat, his eye twitching when his finger grazed the still-healing scab. His eyes glossed, or maybe it was the low light, but I wished I could somehow capture the moment for her. I’d never seen a person look at another like that. He might have been human, and she a witch, but I was certain they’d do anything for each other.
A hand reached around my waist from behind and pulled me into a hard body. “That dress should be illegal.”
Elijah. My heart settled, if only a little. I turned in his grip, and his pupils dilated as he looked down at me. “I wore it for you. It was hard sneaking in the order for fabric under your nose.”
He leaned down, whispering a kiss against my lips. “It was worth it. My beautiful woman,” he said against my mouth.
“Oh. So no ‘fuck’ or ‘I drive you crazy’ then?”
His expression softened. “Not tonight.”
My heart skipped a beat. He led me into the steps of the next dance, but I couldn’t pull myself away. If it weren’t for the layers of clothing between us, we’d be melded together with how close his body was against mine. I could feel every muscle, every want of his. “You look handsome in your suit,” I said, brushing my lips upward until we were kissing mid-song. I deepened the kiss until I couldn’t tell where he began and I ended.
