by E. J. Mellow
—∞—
The opulent hotel lobby is filled with the echo of our steps along the smooth stone floor as I follow my entourage of guards into tonight’s event. Large Ionic columns of silver and white stretch up to an arched ceiling, where a depiction of the sea is painted in swirls and crashes of indigo blue waves, while hanging chandeliers of Navitas cause the water to appear in motion with its spinning light. Taking it all in, I try not to trip in my heels.
After spending a majority of my time in my flat, sturdy boots, I forgot the skill it takes to manage stilettos. Why I decided to go with such strappy ones is beyond me, but it seemed I couldn’t help going all out with Sonja by my side, especially after she pulled out a deep-blue scoop-neck, floor-length dress that shimmered with bits of violet as she turned it under the lights. It felt like baby wings as I draped the thick silk over my body, feeling it hug all the right curves in a flattering silhouette. As I caught my reflection in the mirror, I actually became a little breathless. With a team of people helping, I certainly cleaned up nicely.
Yet despite feeling like a princess, I also feel incredibly vulnerable. Without the protective layer of my black clothes and weapon-ready uniform, I can’t help the sensation of being extremely exposed, almost naked. My arms are uncovered, my back bare to where the soft material rests right above the dip in my lower spine, and my hair is down, resting in waves around my shoulders. I’ve never showed this much skin…well, ever.
I knew tonight’s dinner was going to be a big deal, but I hadn’t realized what a black-tie affair it was, and my fingers flutter nervously by my side as I walk. I was hoping to enter with Dev, but Sonja said he had something to attend to and would be running a bit late. Even though disappointment settled in my chest, I pushed it away, needing as much composure as I could muster. So as I make my way through the hotel, I keep my shoulders back and my chin held high, ignoring the curious stares and whispers of the few hotel guests who have been cleared to remain in occupancy. They fill the main floor of the lobby as my horde of soldiers and I walk through. The entire establishment, in fact, is peppered with guards, and if they ever wanted my presence to be inconspicuous, they certainly chose the wrong tactic.
“We’re almost there, ma’am. It’s just through these doors.” One of my Vigil chaperones, who I’ve learned is called Odi, says to my right. He seems to sense my unease, and I give him a grateful smile, catching the way his inky-black hair tints red under the lights. With the addition of his big brown eyes and beautifully tanned skin, if he were from Earth, I’d guess his heritage lay in India.
After passing another security checkpoint, I enter a lavish room, where another large decorative chandelier of Navitas is set in the center, pulsing blue-white above the small gathering. The sound of my heels clicking against the black-and-white checkered tile floor seems to lift a few nearby heads, and then it’s like a wave of realization goes through the room, and everyone stops their conversations to take in my appearance.
I hold back a nervous swallow.
“Molly.” Elena materializes next to me. “You look exquisite.”
“Thank you,” I say. “So do you.”
And she really does. Wearing a silver-gray wrap dress that ties around her neck, her milky skin is exposed, bringing her blue eyes to startling vibrancy. Her hair is pulled back in a simple twist.
“Thank you.” She smiles. “Let me introduce you to some of the delegates. They’ve been very anxious for your arrival.”
I merely nod, not trusting my voice to not waver.
As Elena guides me to one corner where a few Nocturna delegates stand, the room slowly resumes its buzz of conversation. Immediately I notice the redhead from earlier within this group. While her hair color might be the same as my best friend’s, it’s the only visual trait they share. Where Becca is a summer breeze of friendliness, this woman is sleek, painted in gloss, her burgundy mane pencil straight and draped to her moss-green waist. A waist, I might add, that’s close to the same circumference of a quarter. I mean, dear God, how is she able to remain standing? She talks with two men of similar age—well, they at least look to be in their forties. One is short with a jovially round belly that stretches the material of his gray suit, while the other is stockier with wide shoulders and a thick head of white hair.
“Coretta, Elek, and Ormond.” Elena gestures to the three. “I’d like to once again present to you our Dreamer, Molly.”
We nod our hellos.
“That was a marvelous show you put on today,” the small, rounder delegate, Elek, says to me with a slight bounce. “We were just discussing how remarkable it was, weren’t we, Ormond.”
“Quite,” Ormond agrees.
“Thank you,” I murmur.
“So how does it work exactly?” Elek goes on, his brown eyes bright with curiosity.
“Using my powers?” I ask.
“Mmm.”
“Um…I’m not really sure how best to describe it.” I catch Coretta’s unwavering stare. She seems to be measuring my every move and word. “But I guess it’s a bit like when you get thirsty or hungry.”
The two men’s brows scrunch.
“How so?” Ormond asks.
“Well, when you’re hungry, do you start to think about what you’d like to eat? Start to visualize a particular food?”
They both nod.
“If you were to concentrate harder on that, really hold it in your mind, if you were a Dreamer, you could eventually imagine it into existence.”
“Incredible,” Elek breathes.
“That’s a bit too easy, don’t you think?” Coretta says dubiously.
“Well, I was trying to explain it simply.” I give her a sweet smile, which she does not return. “While what I explained might sound easy, it’s my own energy. It still takes a great amount of concentration and is not a limitless ability. I can and do get drained from using it too much.”
“Then let’s hope you have a high amount of stamina.” Elek chuckles.
“Yes, we’d hate to lose a fight against the Metus because our Dreamer has gotten tired,” Coretta mutters, and takes a sip of her wine.
Elek shoots her a reproachful glance, while Ormond merely seems amused.
“You have nothing to fear,” Elena chimes in, a confident smile lighting her face. “Our Vigil engineers have been busy creating things to aid Molly with her power and make sure she’s more than equipped in battle.”
“Excellent.” Elek claps his hands together.
“Will we see some of this equipment?” Ormond asks.
“Most certainly.” Elena nods. “Now if you will excuse us, I would like Molly to chat with the other delegates before we sit for dinner.”
“Thank you,” I whisper to Elena as she guides me away from the group. I still feel Coretta’s narrowed gaze on the back of my neck.
“Don’t thank me yet,” the elder says. “That was merely the warm-up.”
I groan. Stick me in a room full of Metus, and I’d be more comfortable than I am now.
“You’ll make it through,” Elena says, sensing my distress, and with a knowing look adds, “You have with worse.”
The predinner conversations carry on in a similar fashion, Cato eventually taking over Elena’s position, much to my dismay, and making sure I say at least one word to everyone in attendance. Throughout all of it though, my gaze can’t stop moving through the room, wondering when I’ll see a certain Nocturna male. But just when I turn to tell Cato I’m going to search Dev out, I catch a tall, dark figure making his way through the main doors.
And as he comes into view from a break in the crowd, I lose all sense of thought.
Dev stands in an impeccably tailored black suit, the lines simple and straight, the top two buttons of his charcoal-colored dress shirt unbuttoned, allowing his smooth, taught skin underneath to peek through. His face showcases his signature day-old scruff, now slightly manicured, but only just, his strong jaw appearing even more defined and enticing. His blue eyes spark b
right, a churning, seductive energy surrounding him as he takes in the room. I have to remind myself that he’s not only a warrior on the battlefield but in the political arena as well. He would find tonight a pleasing game to maneuver and win. I’m rendered paralyzed watching him. He’s so beautiful, so consuming, and I have a jolt of satisfaction that he’s all mine.
As if he can sift through all the stares pinned to him, he finds mine. His gaze lingers from my eyes, down my body, then back up again, my cheeks growing flush, my skin too warm, and I pray to all of Terra that I’m not also raising the temperature in the room. Dev’s features grow dark as he steps toward me, his lips parting slightly, the bottom one weighted and wanting to be bitten. I force myself to look away in case I cause the whole room to burst into flames. Dear God, this man is too good looking.
But before Dev can reach me, someone announces dinner, and Cato pulls me toward the dining room. I glance over my shoulder, finding Dev regarding my retreating form in silent frustration. The feeling’s mutual, I want to yell. Instead, I’m hoping we’re seated next to each other.
We are not seated next to each other.
Elek and Sonja sit on either side of me, my two dinner companions, and then Hector beside Sonja. The table stretches out to accommodate up to fifty guests, delicate plating and ornate cutlery resting in front of each diner, our wineglasses never lowering below two sips before a server swoops in to refill it. Rich foods steaming with exotic fragrances are set in an unending stream in front of us, and by the fourth course, I feel like I’m going to pass out from overindulgence.
The only solace I have is that Dev is sitting across from me. But even as I’m grateful for this small mercy, it’s offset by who’s beside him. I have a feeling she planned it this way. Coretta laughs at something Dev says, placing a hand on his arm. A hot bubble of annoyance crawls up my throat. Breathe, I tell myself for the fifth time since sitting down. It wouldn’t do well for me to imagine her wineglass pouring all over that green dress of hers. I smile. Or maybe…
“So, Molly,” Elek says beside me. “What do you think of our city?”
I turn to my cherub-cheeked companion, who, to be fair, has been rather enjoyable. He’s seems nice enough, with his easy laugh and gift for finding the humor in all things. He just has this tiny habit of chewing with his mouth open, like a cow with hay. But thankfully, he’s sans food right now.
“I find it beautiful.” I give him a genuine smile. “I love how the visual of water is incorporated into a lot of the architecture.”
Elek puffs up with pleasure. “I’m glad you noticed. Port City may be smaller than Terra, but we pride ourselves in the arts.” He leans in conspiratorially. “Did you know we are considered the capital of culture in Terra?”
“I didn’t know that.” I tilt my head with interest. “But it doesn’t come as a surprise. I can tell everyone here has impeccable taste. Oh, and before I forget, I wanted to thank you.”
He blinks. “For what?”
“Given your obvious knowledge in fashion”—I wave to his suit—“I can only assume you had some influence with the dresses I was to choose from tonight. They were all stunning.”
Elek practically squeals under my praise. “Oh, yes, well, they do say I have a bit of an eye for such things.”
“I have no doubt they do.” I nod.
Turning back to my plate, I catch Dev watching me. His mouth is curled in a half-amused grin, his eyes twinkling in a strange intensity that flips my stomach over.
What? I mouth silently to him.
You, he mouths back.
I bite back a smile.
“I see you have your eyes set higher these days, Dev.” Coretta’s voice cuts through our moment, and he turns to her. She pierces a glance my way. “But from what I remember of our time together, you were always ready to take on a challenge.”
The emphasis she put on our time was really unnecessary, but she clearly wants to drive the point home.
“We seem to be in agreement there,” Dev says, and Coretta frowns.
“We are?”
“Yes.” He looks at me again. “Molly is certainly worth fighting for.”
I choke on a laugh and then meet Coretta’s annoyed gaze head on. “And so is he,” I say.
If that wasn’t a clear enough statement to back the Metus up, I don’t know what is.
The dinner finishes with an absurdly delicious chocolate dessert, one that might have moved me to steal a forkful off of Sonja’s plate when she wasn’t looking, much to Elek’s delight, before we’re ushered into a parlor room.
Needing a bit of air before I’m launched once more into the dance of political conversation, I seek out Odi and ask if there’s somewhere I can pop out for a moment. “It will just be quick,” I assure him when he regards me hesitantly, and then to seal the deal, say, “Cato told me to step out if I was feeling a meltdown about to happen, and it’s definitely about to happen.” I cross my eyes for a moment while feigning a drunk’s expression.
He sighs, his broad shoulders losing their stiffness. “Follow me.” Grabbing a few more guards, he walks me down a side hall. “Ten minutes,” he says as he opens two tall bay doors that lead to a courtyard.
I nod, an obedient child. “Could you…maybe also wait in here?” I ask and then seeing him about to say no, add, “The entire hotel has been swept, and this is a contained courtyard. I just need a little sense of privacy. A second. Please, I’ve been surrounded by people nonstop.”
He frowns.
“Please.” I say again, hitting him full force with what, I hope, are my biggest puppy-dog eyes.
“Fine,” he grumbles. “But we’ll be right in here.”
“Yes, of course!” And without giving him an opportunity to change his mind, I skip into the open night.
It’s only a little chilly on my bare skin, but the salty freshness of the sea air is a welcome relief.
I duck under a small hedged doorway to enter the center of the courtyard, my pace slowing. For in the middle is the most beautiful fountain I’ve ever seen. Bursting through a multitude of twisting marble waves is a large coiling serpent, its scales a variety of silvers that sparkle and shine under the quickly passing stars. A variety of fish, their colors changing in rainbow shades, lap in the pool below, a few jumping out to slurp up the streams of water that pour out of the snake’s mouth. Its head is tilted up to the night sky, and I listen to the soothing rhythm of the cascading liquid.
Elek was more than correct in saying this place excelled in the arts. Everything I’ve seen so far has such attention to detail and obvious love in being created, this fountain a prime example. The water trickles peacefully in front of me, calming the small throb in my head from tonight’s activities.
I’m so lost in the moment that I don’t sense him approaching until his intoxicating scent of night and spice wraps around me. My heart skips a beat.
“Did you know the serpent is one of the oldest mythological symbols in both our worlds?” Dev’s deep voice slides over me just as the shadow of his nearness does, his large form eclipsing the light, and I briefly close my eyes. He doesn’t touch me, not yet, but I feel his heat against every inch of my exposed skin.
“It represents the duality of good and evil,” he continues softly. “In Port City, it is particularly important because of its connection to water.”
He lets his words hang in the air and weave into the ripples expanding at the base of the fountain, right before I feel a light, secretive trace of his finger draw a line down the center of my back. My shiver is instant. He slips my hair to one shoulder as his lips graze the back of my ear.
“You’ve been magnificent,” he says, his breath hot on my skin, soaking into me like a quick fog on a mirror. I barely hold back a moan. Slowly, with hands that retain so much strength, he smooths them over my hips, turning me around so I find his blue gaze burning hotter than the stars that fly overhead. “You’re magnificent,” he clarifies, tugging me forward for a kiss.
“I can imagine us back in my room,” I say breathlessly between kisses. “Very easily,” I add, my own inside joke to Coretta’s earlier remark.
With a small chuckle, Dev pulls back. “We can’t,” he says as his hands roam down to my backside, where he gives a gentle squeeze. “But by the stars do I wish we could.”
“We can do anything,” I say and kiss him again, but he moves back—again, his gaze suddenly serious. “What?”
“We can, can’t we?”
“Can what?”
“Do anything. You and I.”
I smile, my heart filling. “Yes,” I say. “We can.”
“I love you.” He brings his lips to mine, his arms remaining securely around me.
“I love you too.”
“When I saw you in this dress tonight…” A low growl escapes him. “All I thought was, thank Terra you’re mine.”
I laugh.
“I wouldn’t think that would be considered funny,” he says.
“It’s not. It’s just that I thought the same exact thing when I saw you in this suit.” I run my hand over the finely woven material. “It’s the first time I’ve seen you in anything but your uniform.”
“That’s not true. You’ve seen me naked.”
“Dev.” I snort. “That doesn’t count.”
“If you’re trying to decide what I look better in, I think it does.”
“Dev.”
He merely gives me a coy grin. “Well, doesn’t it?”
I roll my eyes and flicker a glance behind him, finding the far doorway empty. “Where’s Odi and the rest of my guards?”
“I told them to leave.”
I lift my brows, astonished. “And they listened?”