Reckless Magic (29 page)

Kiran glanced at her approvingly
before giving her a small peck on the cheek. I couldn’t blame him,
although I wished I could, but she looked like a goddess tonight.
Her long blonde hair was wrapped into an intricately woven side
ponytail, her golden locks hanging curled and shining. She was
dripping in diamonds from her earrings to her necklace to her
bracelets. They complimented her floor length, bodice hugging,
silver gown, and gave her the illusion that she was sparkling. Her
silver gown accentuated every one of her curves and was low cut in
the front, but maintained the class and sophistication my dress did
not. The entire bodice was beaded and embellished and had almost a
1920’s look to it.

I understood now, why the pink gown
was more appropriate. I once again was walking into an unknown
situation looking like a tramp. I rolled my eyes and continued
looking out the window, internally cringing. This dance felt less
and less like a high school extra-curricular activity and more and
more like a witch trial; unfortunately for me, it turned out I
actually was the witch.

28.

The limousine pulled up to the
driveway of Kingsley behind numerous other stretch, luxury
vehicles. I was full of anxiety and beyond irritated. Thankfully, I
didn’t think Talbott was going to expect too much dancing out of
me.

I watched the other students exit
their cars, all of the boys in tuxedos and all of the girl’s in
elegant gowns, most of them dripping in jewels. My perception of
this dance was apparently dead wrong. I expected this type of style
and flare at prom, but wasn’t this just the fall dance? I tugged at
my short skirt, trying to cover my bare legs unsuccessfully. If I
didn’t want to stand out, a miniskirt was the wrong way to
go.

I glanced up and noticed Kiran
watching my failed attempts at last minute modesty and laugh. I
gave him a wry look before rolling my eyes and turning my attention
back to the students entering the gymnasium. At least the dance was
still on school grounds and not some exclusive country club, or
likewise ridiculous venue.

Eventually it was our turn to exit the
vehicle. The driver came around to my door and opened it so we
could exit properly. I felt like I was playing make-believe, this
all seemed like some massive pretend production instead of
reality.

Kiran and Seraphina exited first and
she was immediately on his arm. They walked regally into the gym as
if they were king and queen of Kingsley. I supposed one day they
would be. Yuck.

Talbott nodded that it was my turn to
exit the car, but I hesitated for a moment longer, afraid to leave
the confined, but private space. He cleared his throat and looked
after Kiran like a worried puppy. Fine, I thought, let’s get on
with it.

I exited the car with as much grace
and class as I could master, hoping to avoid a peepshow on my way
out of the car. Talbott was quickly behind me. I heard the door to
the car slam shut; there was no turning back. Talbott offered his
arm and I looked at it with a mild sense of humor.

“
Really, we don’t have to
pretend,” I said curtly.

“
Please, Eden; just humor me
with some manners,” he offered back haughtily. I took his arm a
little too forcefully and we walked the rest of the way in
silence.

The gymnasium could not be farther
from what I pictured, had I thought of the wildest scenario. This
being my first time in Kingsley’s gym I expected basketball hoops,
bleachers and maybe some streamers to decorate the place for the
dance.

As soon as we walked through the wide
double doors my mouth dropped open and I stood their dumbly not
sure how to react. Beautiful, and elaborate black chandeliers hung
from the ceiling every ten feet or so. They were adorned with white
candles and dripping with colorful floral arrangements. Along the
walls in every direction, candelabras in the same fashion sat
evenly spaced, lighting up the room and giving the large space a
dim glow.

A DJ in the far corner, spun music
that reverberated the floor. Tables and chairs took up half of the
space, while the remaining space was used as a dance floor. On each
table were eight place settings and in the middle were replica
center pieces of the chandeliers hanging from the ceilings.
Colorful flower arrangements intertwined with the candle lit
centerpieces over black silk table clothes.

Talbott pulled me along to our table
where Kiran and Seraphina already had found their seats. Most of
the tables were full already and waiters began to bring out silver
platters covered in food. The food looked as elegant as the
decorations. Unfortunately, my dress didn’t leave much room for
expansion.

Besides Kiran, Seraphina, Talbott and
me, our table was also home to Evangeline and Adelaide and their
respective dates. Both of whom looked equally bored and unimpressed
as the girls gushed over the dance and each other’s outfits. Not
surprisingly, I was completely ignored.

I stood next to the table unsure where
to sit or what to say. Talbott released my arm and pulled a chair
out for me next to Evangeline. She gave me a side glance and a
little snicker before returning to her conversation.

I began to sit down but was
interrupted by a subtle cough from Kiran. I looked over and noticed
him give a suggestive head nod to Talbott who then stood up
straight, pushed in the chair he had just offered and pull out the
chair directly next to it, but located side by side with Kiran. If
possible I noticed Talbott become even more exasperated and
Seraphina scoot her chair ever closer to Kiran. I took my seat
feeling much like a criminal or leper or something equally
unwanted.

“
Is it what you expected?”
Kiran turned his body to face me and spoke quietly; his blue eyes
simmering and slicked back hair gave him a seductive quality I was
having a hard time ignoring. I cleared my throat to
focus.

“
Not quite,” I said simply,
forcing my eyes away from his. I noticed Seraphina take his hand in
hers, and although he didn’t turn his body away from mine, he
allowed the possessive gesture.

“
Seraphina,” I found courage
deep within me to pull her into the conversation. I refused to be a
bizarre secret date to the spoiled prince. “How often does Kingsley
have these kind of dances?”

“
What do you mean?” she
asked snidely, turning her head but not her body to face me. The
look on her face made me tremble beneath the surface and I reminded
myself to be brave.

“
I mean, that this dance
seems so extreme, is this like Kingsley’s version of prom?” I
cleared my throat again, feeling more insecure than ever before,
but praying my plan to involve Seraphina into our conversation
worked. I couldn’t stay irritated and angry at Kiran if he
continued to stay so damn sexy.

“
I don’t know what you mean
by extreme; this is the way a Kingsley dance always looks,” she
rolled her eyes, but her tone was less derisive than before. “I
guess it is nice though,” she turned her body to face us then and
pulled Kiran’s arm even closer to her body.

“
It’s beautiful,” I said
softly, more to myself than anyone else.

“
And we have one for every
equinox and solstice, plus there’s Christmas and prom too,” she
smiled ever so small and I felt encouraged to be braver.

“
I didn’t know people
celebrated those holidays,” I tried a joke.

“
You didn’t know people
celebrated Christmas?” she asked dryly, and her attitude was
back.

“
No, I mean, I know people
celebrate Christmas. I didn’t know people celebrated like the fall
equinox,” I did my best to clarify, but she just looked at me like
I was speaking a different language.

“
You’re so weird,” she
rolled her eyes again and then turned back to Adelaide to pick up
where they left off.

“
Trying to make new
friends?” Kiran asked smugly under his breath.

“
Well, you’re certainly no
help,” I turned my body completely away from him and looked out
into the tables of students.

“
Did it ever occur to you
that maybe I want you all to myself?” Kiran’s hot breath tickled
the back of my neck when he whispered in my ear. His accent was
very alluring, and I shook my head to regain focus.

I stood up frustrated and practically
stomped away from the table as quickly as I could. I couldn’t sit
next to him anymore; and I couldn’t be party to his sick games. I
was going to be the one that got hurt in the end.

I searched for the bathroom or a dark
corner or something, but settled with the punch table. I just
needed something to occupy my hands. I noticed a familiar figure
pouring himself some punch as I approached the table and was
suddenly very grateful to see Avalon.

“
Hey!” I blurted out a
little too loudly, overcome with joy to see him. “I thought you
told me you weren’t coming to this thing?” I nudged him with my
elbow playfully. He turned and faced me with a horrified expression
on his face that quickly turned to anger.

“
What are you doing here?”
Avalon demanded, practically dropping his punch.

“
Um, I don’t know,” I
responded tentatively, unsure what to make of his
reaction.

“
You’re not supposed to be
here, Eden,” his tone was accusing and I could not figure out what
he was so mad about.

“
You told me you weren’t
coming either,” I accused back, not half as mad as he was, but at
least it was something.

“
I changed my mind,” he
growled.

“
Well, me too,” I folded my
arms stubbornly, not sure if I wanted to stand here any longer, and
not sure if I was ready to head back to the table. Thankfully, it
looked like couples were beginning to dance.

“
Don’t tell me you came here
with him,” Avalon squinted his eyes in disapproval and looked in
the direction of Kiran.

“
He came with his
girlfriend,” I mimicked Avalon’s facial expression and realized I
sounded jealous.

“
Then who are you here
with?” Avalon turned to face me, his expression still hard and
angry.

“
Talbott,” I said softly and
fearfully.

“
Oh, like that’s any
better,” Avalon raised his voice and gestured with his arms wildly,
spilling his punch. He looked down at the puddle on the floor
frustrated and instantly it was gone. I felt his surge of magic as
he cleaned up the mess with only a thought.

“
I don’t know what you want
me to say. I was forced here against my will! I’m not happy about
it either,” I raised my voice and hardened my eyes. How dare he
blame me! I didn’t want to be here anymore than anyone wanted me
here.

I pushed past Avalon and fought back
tears. I had never felt so alone. I was tired of apologizing for
things I did or people I talked to. Why couldn’t I just have a
normal life with no magic, no exiled friends and no freaking
prince?

I ran through the closest door and
found a staircase leading upwards. I took it not knowing where it
would lead to. My six inch heels click-clacked on the wooden
staircase, eventually drowning out the house music below. Soon the
dance was only a faint hum as I made my way to the top.

At the top of the staircase there was
only a heavy metal door with a push bar for a handle. I
contemplated rejoining the party, but decided quickly against that.
I also contemplated just sitting down at the top of the stairs to
have a good cry, but decided quickly against that as well. In the
end, curiosity got the better of me and I pushed through the heavy
door.

I half expected some type of alarm to
go off, but only the quiet of the evening greeted me. The cool fall
air wrapped itself around me and I found myself on the roof of the
gym. I took off my shoes, stepping gingerly over the cool concrete
and to the ledge of the building.

All of Omaha surrounded me and the
sight was breathtaking. The tall, lighted buildings of downtown sat
to my east and the quiet suburban neighborhoods were located to my
west. I could see St. Cecilia’s cathedral towers to my North and
the Mutual of Omaha building to my South. Despite being in the
middle of a big city the stars still shone brightly overhead. I
inhaled a big breath, finding serenity for the first time all
night.

“
Stop being so
over-dramatic. There’s no need to jump,” Kiran’s clean accent
sounded amused as he entered through the roof top door.

“
Go away!” I whined,
exasperated, covering my face with my hands.

“
Oh come now, you don’t mean
that,” he walked slowly over to me, hands in his pockets, letting
his eyes float over my figure.

“
Where’s Talbott?” I asked,
looking past him. I wasn’t sure if I wanted him to leave or not. I
had never been more emotionally confused; I felt frustrated,
irritated, nervous and excited all at once.

“
Dancing, I expect,” Kiran
glanced over his shoulder and then continued to walk towards
me.

“
I better join him,” I
decided on my escape route. “He’s probably wondering where I am,” I
walked quickly towards the door, but Kiran stepped in front of me
before I got too far.