Hopeless Magic (26 page)

down at her and I saw that she believed him; there was complete trust between the two.

The servants appeared to clear the first course and then a second group of servants brought out a delicious-smelling soup. I was pleasantly surprised to find it sweet and a little sour, with apples, potatoes and raisins.

"Eden, I would love to hear more about how your walk went," Amelia said happily. "I have to do mine this summer and I am so terribly nervous,"

She glanced at Lucan making sure she wasn't saying anything she shouldn't, before turning her bright eyes back to me. "Were you terrified?"

I cleared my throat, desperately wishing she wouldn't have even broached the subject. I didn't know how to fumble my way through a lie in front of Lucan because I didn't know how a normal Walk was supposed to go.

"Yes, yes I was absolutely terrified," I smiled gently, with honesty.

"Oh, me too," Amelia gushed, offering me the same trust that she had given Kiran.

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"Whatever for?" Kiran asked, perplexed. "There's nothing to be afraid of," he said confidently to Amelia.

"Well, Kiran's right," I cleared my throat again, hoping to sound convincing. "There isn't anything to be afraid of really, but it's hard to know that before you've done

it." I took a quick sip of my soup, hoping the conversation would end there.

"That's what I keep telling Uncle Lucan," Amelia glanced over at the king who had seemed to grow disinterested in our conversation. "I was hoping he would let me watch your walk Eden, just so I could get a glimpse of what exactly happens."

"Eden's walk wouldn't have revealed very much Amelia. I don't believe I've ever witnessed a walk end so abruptly in my life," Lucan looked down at me from over his glass, I was suddenly very nervous, realizing how erratic I must have come across yesterday.

I blushed and stared down at my now empty bowl. I didn't know if Lucan was expecting an 392/711

explanation or if he already knew I couldn't give him one.

The servants came in again, providing a much needed interruption to the awkward silence. They cleared our bowls and replaced them with a lamb sauce over long-grain white rice with more bread to eat with, instead of silverware. I watched Kiran expertly tear a piece of bread apart and fold it into a kind of scoop, bringing the rice mixed with sauce expertly to his lips. I inwardly sighed, knowing this was not the place to attempt a finger food learning experience.

"Thank you for inviting me to dinner, everything is wonderful," I changed the subject, calling on propriety to cover my awkward silence. "I understand this usually only happens once a year," I tried smiling in the general direction of Lucan without actually looking at him.

"Yes. It does," he replied curtly. "But as you know your circumstances are.... unique."

"You have no idea how often I'm told that," I attempted a joke, but only Kiran laughed.

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"Well, we are just happy you were so willing to cooperate," Lucan smiled at me politely, but his deep blue eyes were searching my face, waiting for me to react.

"No, please," I smiled, genuinely. "You are the ones who have been so accommodating. I apologize for my negligence in the matter." I did my best to sound grown-up and sincere; I hadn't had a choice in the matter, or even been asked to cooperate.

"In the summer we hold a ball," Kiran spoke up with anxious enthusiasm. "The palace is really quite lovely in the summer, Eden," he smiled at me with more affection than I thought was appropriate in front of his parents, but some instinct deep in the pit of my stomach told me to play the secret lover a little more obviously.

"I would have loved a ball," I cooed at Kiran, swirling the wine around in my glass idly.

"Then maybe next time around, your parents shouldn't die and leave you in the care of a-" Lucan spit out suddenly with cool-toned hatred that 394/711

sent chills down my spine. He paused only for a second on the vowel and I was certain he was going to say Amory before he continued, "a, a human," he set his glass down a little violently, spilling the crimson liquid on the table.

I didn't know what to say or how to respond, but luckily Analisa, Kiran's mother, reacted before I was given the chance. Very calmly and collectedly, she set her own goblet down, dabbed at her face with her cloth napkin and stood. She smiled at Kiran and Amelia and then at me, before leaving the table and walking out of the dining room without another word.

"If you'll excuse me," Lucan mimicked Analisa's every move minus the smiles and left the dining room before I could analyze the rhyme or reason for any of it.

25.

"Welcome home," Aunt Syll opened the door for me before I could even walk up the driveway.

The December night was frigidly cold, I could see my breath and I was standing ankle deep in snow. The dark winter night was a painful reminder of the warmth and sunshine I left in India.

The black sedan that had been my transportation from the private air strip drove away into the night and I let out a sigh of exhaustion that felt like a long time coming.

I dropped my carry-on and new backpack in the middle of the snowy drive and ran the rest of the way to Aunt Syl. I threw my arms around her and she reciprocated in the motherly hug I had always known.

Choked up with emotion, she whispered into my hair, "It's good to have you home."

"It's good to be home," I sighed with my own emotion. I hadn't realized until that moment how 396/711

afraid I had been of not making it back to this house, and of never seeing Aunt Syll again. Pending revolution aside, this was where I belonged; this home held my heart.

"Well, look who's back," Avalon masked the relief I felt washing over him with mild sarcasm.

Jericho popped his head out of the door too, smiling at me with a wide grin, and waving silently in an adorable gesture.

"When did you guys get back?" I asked, hardly believing they beat me home. Weren't they supposed to be following me?

"Like seconds ago," Avalon replied, while Jericho maneuvered past the rest of us, picking up my discarded luggage and carrying it inside the house. "Once we were sure your taxi would be dropping you at home, we decided to race you here. We won by the way," he smiled at me, tugging at my arm, pulling me away from Aunt Syll and into a bear hug of his own. "We made it," he whispered and that close to Avalon, I couldn't distinguish his emotion from mine; but, either 397/711

way, relief washed over both of us and we realized that a more strategic game was being played than we had wanted to believe. But for the moment, we were safe.

"Well, come inside you two and let's hear all about it," Aunt Syll ushered us inside and everyone took their boots off at the door. Avalon and I collapsed side by side on the overstuffed couch, his arm around me. We weren't usually so touchy-feely but the separation over the past few weeks had been rough; our twin connection needed some serious care.

"Is Amory coming over?" I asked, not really wanting to recount the story twice, even though I was dying to talk over the girly details of the trip with Aunt Syl. I knew Amory would hardly care about the color of my saris and all of the different foods I got to try.

"Yes, he should be here soon," Aunt Syll smiled, intuition written all over her face. "How about I make some hot chocolate?"

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"Sounds wonderful," I mumbled, closing my eyes and wishing I could just sleep for the next several months.

"I'll help you," Avalon stood up, patting me on the head a little roughly and following Aunt Syll into the kitchen.

The doorbell rang and I reluctantly made myself get up off of the couch and answer it. I expected to see Amory, so when I flung the door open I was more than a little surprised to see Sebastian standing on the other side, shivering.

"Hello?" I greeted with a question, more confused than I felt emotionally prepared to deal with.

"Hello," he said confidently, smiling back at me.

His hazel eyes were sparkling; I remembered his sister with reluctant admiration.

"What are you doing here, Sebastion?" I asked bluntly, too tired to play games.

"Can I come in?" he dodged my question, fidgeting a little, but unable to stop shivering.

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"Fine," I walked away from the door and let him enter. I stood, leaning against the staircase, not willing to let him further into my home, my sanctuary. I heard Jericho moving around upstairs and I was suddenly nervous and wondering where Roxie and Lilly were.

"Don't be so terse, Eden," he smiled mischievously at me, unbuttoning his black pea coat at the collar and loosening his scarf. "Am I supposed to remind you to use your magic for the jet lag?" he asked sincerely.

"No," I rolled my eyes as if he was completely out of line, but secretly used my magic to fix the exhaustion. I couldn't believe I had forgotten again.

"So listen, I know that it's late," he continued. I felt Avalon start to walk into the living room carrying two cups of hot chocolate but sent him a warning thought to turn around and wait. "I just wanted to get a moment alone with you before the dance."

"The dance?" I demanded. "What dance?"

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I suddenly felt sick. This was going to be a repeat of the Fall Equinox dance all over again. Kiran had sent him, wanting me to go to the dance with him, but he was already obligated to Seraphina.

A sudden glimpse into a dismal future with Kiran flashed before me and I wanted to vomit.

"The Winter Solstice dance, at the end of semester," Sebastian replied patiently. "This Friday. I know it's last minute, and I'm sorry for that, but you have been out of town for the past two weeks," he smiled at me with what I was sure was a charming smile, but one that I couldn't process.

"I'm confused," I said plainly, still trying to figure out why Sebastian was standing in my entry way. "Did Kiran send you?"

"Kiran? No," Something flashed across Sebastian's face but I was too flustered to de-cipher it. "No, it's just that, well, after you left for India, I, actually, I haven't been able to stop thinking about you," Sebastian's cheeks flooded 401/711

with a deep blush and suddenly I was flustered for a different reason.

I stood there dumbly, staring after Sebastian and trying not to believe him. This was just too complicated to comprehend. At the same moment, Jericho walked noisily down the stairs, stopping at the bottom step, next to me.

"Sebastian, that is very sweet of you, but, but, but I already have a date," I grabbed Jericho's arm, clutching to it firmly and pulling him down the last step and next to me. "This is Jericho, my....

boyfriend," I smiled forcefully at Jericho and linked my arm with his.

"Your boyfriend?" Sebastian asked, unbelieving.

"Yes. My boyfriend," I repeated with more confidence. "Sebastian this is Jericho Bentley, Jer," I cleared my throat, trying to make my nickname for him sound natural, "this is Sebastian Cartier."

They reached across what felt like an infinite divide and shook hands, neither boy knowing what to say. After letting go, Jericho put a protective, but awkward arm around me.

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"I absolutely apologize," Sebastian retreated a few steps back, clearly unnerved by the idea of my boyfriend, albeit my fake boyfriend. "Forgive me Eden, I had no idea."

"Please, don't feel bad. Jericho and I, um, we just started dating, so we haven't been very, um, public about it," I looked up at Jericho trying to gaze into his eyes, but he was enthusiastically agreeing with me by nodding his head; I could barely hold back my laughter.

"Really, man," Jericho turned his attention to the embarrassed Sebastian, "don't feel bad. I get it. I just got lucky and asked her first," he smiled at Sebastian, extending his hand again. I heard the hard edge in Jericho's voice though, it was faint, but I noticed.

"Again, I am sorry," Sebastian said, shaking Jericho's hand more firmly this time. "I guess I'll be seeing you Friday, then."

"Absolutely," Jericho said, walking Sebastian out. "see you Friday."

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Jericho closed the door behind Sebastian and leaned back against it. A smug smile played at the corner of his lips and he looked me over with a look that said, "I told you so."

"Eden," he said sarcastically, "will you go to the high school dance with me?"

"Shut up! I am so sorry!" I wanted to be mad at him, but I felt too bad for dragging him further into the mess my life was.

"Avalon!" he yelled, walking past me into the kitchen.

I followed quickly behind, afraid of the story he would spin to Aunt Syll and Avalon. Roxie and Lilly were just walking in through the garage door carrying several boxes of pizza. Everyone stopped to listen to Jericho's announcement.

"Your sister just asked me to go out with her," he grinned playfully.

"I did not!" I defended myself animatedly. "Well, ok. I kind of did."

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"Yes. You did," Jericho continued to taunt me.

"And," he continued with more drama, "she is making me go to the dance with her this Friday."

"Yes!" Avalon laughed. "Lilly, it looks like we're going to the dance too!"

Lilly blushed a deep crimson red, hating the attention and not sure what to make of Avalon's declaration. I watched Roxie flinch from jealousy and that was enough for me to get over embarrassment and laugh with the boys. Maybe this dance wouldn't be as bad as the last one.

26.

I smoothed out the black silk of my evening dress while staring at myself in Aunt Syl's full length mirror. My hair had been straightened and styled by a professional hair stylist and my make up done to perfection by another professional. I hardly recognized myself.

The dress Aunt Syll and I had picked out had been an extravagant price, but as I moved the full mermaid-style skirt, swishing the beautiful fabric about, I knew it was worth it. The gown clung to my body, the halter straps tying around my neck and dipping into a deep v. My back was exposed and I turned around self-consciously making sure the delicate silk covered all of the appropriate areas.

A knock at the door drew my attention away from myself and I looked over to see Jericho standing in the doorway. I hardly recognized him either. He was dressed to the nines in a tuxedo 406/711

with tails. His hair had just been trimmed; it made his crooked nose stand out against his angular face. His hazel eyes twinkled more green tonight, while his fingers tugged at his tight collar.

He was paused in the doorway just looking at me, and I at him. I was more nervous for this dance than I should be. Without any threat of attack, since the Resistance would actually be attending the dance this time, there would come a point in the evening when I would have to dance. My stomach did a flip. I looked at Jericho frantically.

"It's too much, isn't it?" I whispered and when he didn't answer I continued, "The dress, I mean. I can't pull it off." I looked back to the mirror trying to find myself in it.

Jericho cleared his throat and I feared that he would confirm my doubts, "No, Eden," he paused again and I looked back over to him, the panic nearly drowning me. "That dress was made specifically
for
you," his eyes swept over me in obvious appreciation and I could breathe again.

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I walked carefully over to him, in my tall silver stelletos and kissed him on the cheek. "Thank you," I whispered, "I couldn't do this without you."

"Are you ready then?" Jericho cleared his throat again before extending his elbow. "They're waiting for us."

I nodded my head and we walked down the stairs and into the living room where Avalon was, very nervously, talking with Lilly. Roxie sat on the fireplace, playing idly with the brick. She looked very defeated and I felt sorry for her for a second.

For an unexplainable moment I wanted to explain to her that Avalon's feelings for Lilly didn't run that deep. He was more attracted to her beauty than the idea of a relationship he would probably never pursue her. Although after seeing her in that dress, he might change her mind.

Lilly was dressed in a striking emerald gown that covered her feet despite the gold heels that were probably six inches off the ground. I couldn't see them now; she had shown them to me earlier, 408/711

worried that she wouldn't be able to reach Avalon's arms while they danced, without them.

The gown was a full skirt starting at her hips and the bodice tight against her tiny frame. Gold beading made straight lines of flickering light, extending from the boat neck top to the very bottom of the impossible amounts of fabric in her skirt. She looked up at me and the green from her dress set off the green in her eyes in a flash of color that betrayed her timid personality.

Avalon too was dressed in a tux with tails, his hair pulled back tightly in the little messy bun at the nape of his neck that usually only girls wore.

He was too confident however for the pony tail to be effeminate and it somehow created more of a masculine impression than diminishing one. He tore his eyes from Lilly a little reluctantly when we entered and the look that crossed his face was anything but flattering.

"You can't wear that," he demanded of me.

"Calm down," I said quietly, feeling embarrassed and suddenly inappropriate.

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"Oh stop, Avalon," Aunt Syll swept into the room and this time Avalon conceded to her authority.

"Eden looks ravishing. Now, get together for a picture." She held up her camera and we all obeyed.

I was almost too nervous to smile but somehow we all managed the appropriate poses and faces Aunt Syll was hoping for. When she was satisfied with the photo shoot, I gave her a kiss and we headed to the dance in Jericho's jeep, after stuffing both Lilly and my dress into the backseat, careful not to harm either shutting them in the door.

Jericho pulled up to the valet after a long line of limousines; I had to laugh at both boys' sense of entitlement and the feeling of pride they carried at being the only non-luxury vehicle in the lot.

I walked arm in arm with Jericho into the gym. I inhaled a sharp breath; they had somehow out done even the Fall Equinox dance. Everything was white and sparkling. The chandeliers that hung from the ceiling were crystal and lighted the 410/711

expansive room in a soft, warm glow. The table cloths were white, with low bouquets of white roses tumbling across the tables and down the sides to the floor, leaving only room for place settings. The dance floor, too, had been made in-to pure white with millions of white rose petals covering every inch, so when the people would dance, the petals would float up and around them.

Tall silver stands were placed around the room with the same style of bouquets flowing down their elegant sides and onto the floor in pools of delicate flowers, painting the room with purity.

I looked up at Jericho with pure delight. I had no idea something this fanciful could exist. I truly felt like a princess at a ball.

"It's just so beautiful," I sighed, losing my anxiety and feeling swept up by the very night.

Jericho smiled down at me, his eyes intense. I could tell he wanted to say something but he didn't. He just looked at me until the moment passed and he was tugging at my elbow, "Shall we find our seats?"

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"Yes," I agreed and my eyes floated over the room again searching out Avalon and Lilly who had been ahead of us.