Elysium

by Sylah Sloan

  I swept my eyes around again, seeing Nik standing almost in the front row, his hands slamming together as he whistled and then waved. I smiled, looking over at Violet and seeing her big grin, as she too stared at Nik. He had to be the loudest one of them all. We bowed a few more times and left the stage. Once the curtain closed, I caught my breath as Violet moved past me and then stopped at a closed door.

  “Hey, you okay?”

  There was concern in her voice, and I felt kind of silly for how overwhelmed I had let myself get. She wasn’t even phased, her breathing even, and her body not showing the slightest bit of excitement. “I’m fine, it was just, I don’t know…”

  “Weird, exhilarating, intense?”

  I chuckled and nodded. “Or something like that. You don’t even seem worked up after the performance you just gave.”

  She shrugged. “I’m not. My parents always had me in recitals and stuff, and I am Fey, so it runs in my blood. You did an awesome job out there, by the way. I wouldn’t have been able to pull my routine off without you.”

  “Sure you would have.”

  “Well, yeah, I guess, but you totally rocked that piano.” She grinned widely. “I’m going to change, but I’ll see you out there.”

  I nodded and watched her open the door and then shut it behind her softly, before I finally turned and made my way out to the ballroom.

  Chapter Nineteen

  As I exited the side door, people I didn’t even know started complimenting me on my piano skills. I had never had this much attention. I smiled and thanked them, weaving my way through the crush of bodies and trying to find Nik.

  “Hey there, Meadow the vampire.”

  I looked up at the deep voice drawing me out of my wandering thoughts. Dorian stood in front of me, Porscha once again hanging off of his side like an extra limb. Her dress was nothing more than a strip of cloth covering her “areas.” Back at my old high school, an outfit like that would have cost her a suspension, but I guessed at the Manor, as long as her “parts” were covered, all was good.

  “Hi.” I really wasn’t sure what to say. It wasn’t like I conversed with Dorian, or his gang, and besides, they kind of gave me the creeps.

  “You have some mad piano skills.” He smiled broadly as his gaze roamed over my body. “You comin’ to the party after this?”

  I shivered, his gaze making my skin prickle with awareness. “Maybe, I’m not really sure yet.” It was a lie. I knew I would be going, but I didn’t feel like telling them that. Maybe I was being ridiculous. Dorian and his crew, minus Porscha, had been really nice to me. I couldn’t get over how uncomfortable they made me feel though.

  He nodded, his smile one of something I might see on the cover of a GQ magazine. “Well, save me a dance.” He winked, which along with his comment had Porscha narrowing her lips and slitting her eyes at me.

  Even though Dorian played nice, I could tell he was an ass. Here he was, flirting with me profusely, as his girlfriend hung all over him. I gave him a weak smile and ducked away from them, moving towards where I had seen Nik. As the crowed parted, I saw him standing by the table, a redhead beside him with a dress so low, I was afraid her breasts would pop out. Although he was staring at her, I could tell his attention wasn’t on whatever she was saying. Before I could even say anything, he turned towards me, a smile brightening his face. He turned his back on the redhead and took a few steps towards me.

  “You were wonderful.”

  He took my hands and brought them to his mouth and kissed them lightly, causing my cheeks to heat with embarrassment. The act was very old-world, and I won’t lie, little butterflies started moving in my stomach. The redhead was all but forgotten, and I didn’t miss how his gaze moved over me before he quickly looked back into my eyes.

  “I saved you a seat.” He held out the chair next to his.

  “Will you be at the party, Nik?” the redhead asked as she gave me a once over and must have decided I wasn’t worth her worry.

  I sat down, adjusting my dress as I looked between Nik and the girl. “Hi, I’m Meadow.” I held my hand out for her, but she just looked at it before she flipped a strand of her hair over her shoulder.

  “I’m Shawndra. We have trig together.”

  I filed through my memory and was surprised I really didn’t remember her. Trigonometry was hard enough, but with a head full of red hair and a bust which could blind someone, I couldn’t believe I hadn’t noticed her. She must have become offended at my silence, because she made some kind of noise in the back of her throat.

  “I sit in the back.” She dismissed me that quickly and turned back towards Nik. “So I’ll see you later, Nik?”

  “Probably.”

  She leaned in, and I thought she was going to kiss him right on the lips, but at the last moment, he turned his head and she kissed his cheek. She didn’t seem phased by it though, bouncing up with enough enthusiasm it rattled the table. I was afraid her twin cannons would fly out any minute now and knock someone out. I blew out a breath, when she sauntered away, everything staying in its rightful place. I looked over at Nik, one of my brows arched, as I waited for some kind of explanation as to what that was.

  His cheeks became red. “That was Shawndra.”

  “Uh huh.” I grabbed my cup of water and took a sip, not taking my eyes off of him.

  “We have a … history together, and she still thinks there’s something between us.”

  I couldn’t help but laugh. He stammered his words, his face getting redder and redder with each passing moment. “I thought for sure one of her boobs was going to come out and knock someone on the floor. They looked lethal.”

  It was his turn to laugh. “Yeah, well, that’s about the only interesting thing she has going for her.”

  I looked at him open mouthed, shocked by his admission. “So you’re a boob man, huh?” I had no idea why I was even talking about this with him. I started to laugh again. “Sorry, totally not an appropriate thing to ask someone.”

  “Nah, I mean it’s all good. I don’t mind being open and honest with you.” He held my gaze for a little longer than necessary, until I finally broke eye contact. “I don’t know if I’d call myself a boob guy per se.” I looked back at him, smiling with amusement. “I’m an equal opportunist; I appreciate every part of the female anatomy.”

  We both cracked up laughing, and I turned my attention to the stage as the curtain started to part.

  “Hey, guys.”

  I looked up as Violet came over and sat down.

  “Wow, you look hot, Violet.”

  She blushed at Nik’s comment, but I had to agree. “No, really, you look beautiful.”

  “Thanks, guys.” She ran her hand over her dress, a smile playing over her lips, as the crystals in her hair sparkled.

  The room suddenly became silent, and everyone took a seat. Mr. Rumbada—the Principal or Headmaster, or whatever you want to call him—took the center stage, microphone in hand, as the light glared off his balding head.

  “I want to thank everyone for attending this year’s Winter Solstice celebration. I hope everyone enjoyed Violet Fender’s performance. Let’s give her another round of applause.” The room broke out in whistles and cheering, the noise deafening. The room quieted once more. “We decided to have a more relaxed atmosphere this year, so we will be serving dinner, and then the rest of the night will be for socializing and dancing. Enjoy it, students. You deserve it.” He clapped, which in turn started everyone clapping in the room. The lights dimmed, and the curtain closed, and soon the only illumination in the room was the soft glow of the candles on the table, and thousands of tiny lights strung up along the silk ceiling—like tiny stars dotting the night sky, bringing forth the nocturnal side of every fabled creature in the room. It was surreal.

  As the night progressed, I ate the most incredible four course dinner imaginable. Never had I tasted such exquisite food. I felt like I should be in Hollywood, or maybe in a Palace, seated next to royalty, as ca
viar and escargot were served to me on chilled platters. Although, I guess, Arcane Manor wasn’t much different from those places I imagined, not with the arched cathedral ceilings or the towers dotting the spacious castle-like building.

  Once we finished dessert, which was called something fancy, but really just looked and tasted like lime sorbet, everyone around us got up as the music started to play overhead. It wasn’t the classical and soft flowing music that had played while we ate. It was hard and fast rap music that really got your heart pumping and your blood flowing. I turned in my seat and watched as students moved to the music, a lot of them grinding their bodies together, until a teacher or chaperone tapped them on the shoulder and they were forced to pull away a safe distance. I looked around the room for Cadeon, not having seen him since I was up on stage and feeling a sense of longing inside of me.

  “Would you like to dance?”

  I looked over at Nik, as he gazed at me expectantly. The music was fast, and to be honest, I was a horrible dancer. “I can’t dance.”

  His smile broadened. “Not to worry, neither can I.” He held his hand out, and I looked at it for a second before meeting his eyes. “We can bruise each other’s feet together.”

  I smiled. “I really can’t dance.” I had to practically shout to be heard over the music, but of course Nik didn’t seem to have any trouble hearing me. He leaned in so close that I could smell the lime sorbet on his breath.

  “You can stand on my feet, and I’ll do all the work.” He winked down at me, and I felt myself crumbling. He was a charming and convincing guy, what could I say. I placed my hand in his, and he pulled me up, weaving a path through the crowd and stopping, as he turned towards me. The song meshed together with a new one, this one slower, but certainly not something I could dance to. He started moving, keeping hold of my hands, as he moved my body with his. Soon I was getting into the music, laughing as one song blended into the next and we still kept dancing.

  “Can I cut in?”

  As the song wound down, Shawndra seemed to wiggle her way between us just as a slow song started. Nik looked over at me, and I smiled and waved, giving him the universal sign I was thirsty. I knew he would have pushed her away, if I gave the word, but I was a little tired and knew Shawndra would put up a fight.

  “Can I have this dance?”

  I was almost to my table when a deep voice had me stopping in my tracks. I turned around, my heart skipping a beat—Cadeon looked down at me. He wore a black tux, which I might add looked incredibly good on him. I stared into his Caribbean-colored eyes, getting lost in those blue-green depths, as he held his hand out to me, beckoning me to take it.

  I let my hand slip into his, his palm warm and smooth against mine and sending tingles to travel through me. He pulled me close, so his palm rested against my lower back and our chests touched. I swallowed, holding his gaze. The song was slow and romantic, and I looked around at all the students pressed together, the girls resting their heads on the guys’ chests, the guys’ hands slipping dangerously low on their partners’ backs.

  I wanted to rest my head against Cadeon’s chest. The urge to just let myself feel his body against mine, and listen to his heart beating, was almost too strong to deny. I didn’t do it though, not because I was embarrassed, but because I was afraid of opening up my emotions, to experience them full on. The song ended, but a beautiful classical piece started to play, a string of simplistic notes, coupled with the smooth sound of the violin, created a piece which would have moved even a rock. Most of the people on the dance floor sat down, none of them able to truly appreciate the beauty of those uncomplicated and lustrous chords.

  I let Cadeon lead, let him move our bodies, as I finally gave into my urges and rested my head against his chest. I closed my eyes and let the sound of the rhythmic beating of his heart soothe me. I didn’t miss how his hand tightened on my back, or the soft words he spoke against my hair.

  “You played so beautifully, it took my breath away.

  I looked up and into his eyes, realizing we were no longer in the center of the dance floor, but pressed more against the corner, those liquid streams of silk hanging all around us and shrouding us from prying eyes. “Thank you.” It was just a whisper, but I knew he heard me. He stared down at me for the longest time, and then he trailed his finger down my cheek and over my lips. I wanted him to kiss me. I wanted to have another memory to accompany the greenhouse memory. I wanted to be able to remember him.

  “You are so very beautiful. I find it hard to think when you’re around.”

  My breath caught at his words, and I pressed closer to him, urging him to fill in that small gap between us and press his lips against mine. “Why do you have to think at all?” I felt drunk around him, lightheaded and dizzy. I wasn’t even surprised with myself for what I had just said. I didn’t even care. I knew what I wanted—Cadeon’s mouth against mine.

  Drifting away until there was just the two of us in our own ethereal world, he took a step towards me, and I pressed myself against the satiny wall, placing my hands flat against the smooth texture, as he looked down at me. I could hear my heart beating wildly, could feel my heart slam against my ribs over and over again.

  “I shouldn’t.”

  “You should.” I had no idea where this courage was coming from, but if it resulted in Cadeon kissing me, then I didn’t want it to end. I heard him swallow, as his head slowly dipped towards mine. My breath was coming shallower the closer he came. His hand cupped my cheek, and I leaned into it, bringing my hands up and resting them on his chest. When he was just a hair’s breadth away, I closed my eyes, lifting my mouth towards his. His lips pressed against mine, and I held my breath, the sparks flowing between us exploding to encompass me. This kiss was so much different than the greenhouse kiss. As his mouth moved against mine, it was as if an animal had been released from him.

  The kiss ended too quickly, and I was breathing heavily, as he stepped away from me, the chill from the air blowing between us, and I shivered. We stared at each other, and I touched my lips with my fingertips, still able to feel the electricity going through them.

  “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.” He looked down at the ground, not meeting my eyes for several long seconds, just enough time for me to catch my bearings.

  “I’m not sorry.” He looked up at me then, his face stoic. The moment was now awkward, and I was so upset over the fact. I didn’t feel like what I felt for him was wrong, but somehow I had a feeling Cadeon did.

  “This isn’t wrong.” I needed to tell him, to let him know what was happening between us was right, on every level. His eyes traveled along my face, and I thought he would say something, but I was terribly disappointed, when he just let his hand fall away and shook his head.

  “Are you going to the party after the dance?”

  I just stared at him, confused as to how he could have just switched gears like that, when my mind and body were remembering his kiss. My mouth opened and closed but nothing came out. I turned and looked out at the dance floor, the silky sheer shrouding us and making the bodies on the other side seem like mist in the air. I drew my attention back to Cadeon, my brain functioning on a more normal level, as I watched him watch me.

  “I don’t understand you, Cadeon.” I hadn’t meant to say anything, but I was so confused by my feelings, as well as how he acted, I was ready for answers. I wanted him to admit he had feelings for me, as well. Kissing me was one thing, and I knew he must feel something towards me or he wouldn’t have done it, but I needed to hear him say it. “You kiss me, but then you grow cold and distant. I just don’t understand.” He didn’t say anything. He watched me with that ever-present stoic expression. He exhaled and took a step towards me.

  “It doesn’t matter if I care for you in a romantic way. Believe me, I would like nothing more than to hold you, to just smell your hair, as you rest your head against my chest, but it isn’t that simple.”

  “Why isn’t it? It can be.” I took
a step towards him. I noticed how his gaze flickered to my exposed neck, and I shivered, never once even thinking about what he was—what I was.

  “There are just too many obstacles in the way, Meadow.” He lifted his hand and cupped my cheek, as he brushed his thumb back and forth over my skin. “You are so young and new to all of this. I would be taking advantage of you, if I let my needs outweigh what was right.”

  I felt my anger and embarrassment increase. “You’re only twenty-one, Cadeon, only a few years older than me.”

  He gave a humorless laugh. “You forget to factor in the hundred and some odd years which are tacked on to that.”

  I stepped back, and his hand fell to his side. “Then why kiss me at all?” He shook his head and a look of defeat crossed his features. It infuriated me.

  “I shouldn’t have done it. I can admit when it comes to you, I feel my strength and resolve crumble.”

  Some of my anger dissipated with his endearing words, but I was still angry and frustrated. “Okay, that’s fine, Cadeon, but for both of our sake’s, maybe you can refrain from kissing me, because these mixed signals frustrate me.” I whipped the silk aside and stormed back to my table. He didn’t come after me, but I knew he wouldn’t. It sucked, big time, and maybe I was acting selfish and childish, but my heart hurt.

  When I reached my table, I pulled my chair out with a little more force than was necessary. Nik and Violet were on the dance floor, and despite my anger at my own love life, I couldn’t help the smile I got, when I watched Violet dance with Xander. She looked so happy, and I was glad for her, because if anyone deserved a happily ever after, it was her.