Hopeless Magic (35 page)

Walking over to my jewelry box, I pulled out the pendant Kiran had given me in Geneva, deciding that I would truly look like a gift just for him.

The black stone was dull, sitting inside the silver setting. I looked at it closely for a minute, trying to find the magic behind the plain rock.

I put the silver chain around my neck and watched the stone flash a myriad of colors before settling on royal blue. The necklace, hanging down on the bare part of my chest, did not match my dress and I found that frustrating. Using a burst of magic and igniting my blood, I changed the stone from royal blue to the pastel pink of the gown.

As soon as the necklace settled on the color I had chosen, the bathroom door slammed shut and a gust of royal blue air whooshed past me, blowing my skirt violently and ruffling my hair.

I screamed at the top of my lungs, not expecting the wind or the slamming door. It took me a 536/711

moment to calm down and get ahold of myself.

My eyes darted around the bathroom, hoping for a source besides my magic. I didn't understand the burst of wind, or the color painting it.

There was noone else in there, I was all alone.

The blue air settled around the hem of my skirt, floating in tiny whirlwind circles and spreading out into a cool mist against the tile floor.

"Eden, are you alright?" Lilly knocked on the bathroom door.

"Yes, I'm fine," I willed the wind behind me, hoping it would disappear into Aunt Syl's closet and then eventually blend in with the rest of the normal air.

Lilly opened the door, her mouth falling open just barely at the sight of me. "You look amazing.

Like, the best you've ever looked," she gushed.

"Really?" I asked skeptically, my heart still pounding in my chest. "You're sure this is how everyone else will be dressed? I'm not like, way too overdressed?" I still felt self-conscious and afraid of the evening.

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"No, noone else will be dressed like
that!
" she smiled, "But they will wish they were!"

We laughed our way into the hallway and to the staircase. Lilly went to grab her camera from my room and I started my decent down the stairs.

Jericho was standing in the middle of the living room, straightening his tie, when I caught his attention; he turned to look at me. A smile played at the corner of his lips and I drew in a quick breath, caught off guard by how handsome he looked. He was wearing a black, double-breasted, tailored suit and his golden brown hair was slicked back, the product making it darker than usual.

"Don't you ever get tired of watching me walk down the stairs for these things?" I asked, playfully, realizing he was always in the living room whenever it was time to leave for these events.

"It's my cross to bear, I suppose," his eyes twinkled and he held out his elbow for me when I found the bottom step. "I thought you were going to try to blend in?"

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I glanced down at my dress and swallowed nervously, "Do I look bad?"

"No, oh, no, that's not what I meant," Jericho stuttered nervously, before swinging me around to face him. "You.... you are.... You are making me nervous," he blushed deeply, never taking his eyes off of mine. "You're stunning, really," he smiled and I smiled back.

"Thank you," I whispered.

"Are we ready?" Avalon walked into the living room from the kitchen with Roxie on his arm.

Avalon was wearing a deep blue suit without any tie and an unbuttoned jacket, he looked like he belonged in the rat pack. Roxie was the prettiest I had ever seen her, but she still hadn't lost her hard edge in a black halter top ball gown and her hair pulled back into a severe bun at the nape of her neck.

"Yes," I stated simply, allowing Jericho to lead me outside. Amory was driving separately and wouldn't be acknowledging us anyway, so we 539/711

took Jericho's jeep downtown and to the Immortal club, Kiran called his office.

Parking was crazy, black sedans and SUV's lined the streets on either side for blocks. I was more thankful for magic than ever, after walking the entire way from our parking spot to the club front door in tall stilletos and freezing cold, icy temperatures.

There was a doorman at the entrance to the club; it was the first time I had ever seen a Titan policing the doorway. Usually, the golden serpentine knockers were enough to identify magic and keep out those who didn't belong.

Avalon gave the guard our names and he let us pass, eyeing us skeptically. We walked through the main corridor; the usual source of lighting had been turned off in the hallway and the candelabra lining the walls had been lit to compensate for light.

I couldn't shake the feeling I was walking through a haunted house. I could hear the music through the floor, it sounded like a full orchestra 540/711

and hauntingly beautiful. I followed Avalon and Jericho down the hallway to another Titan, guarding the door to the stairwell. Avalon gave him our names again and the door was opened.

Once on the stone stairwell, I marveled at how the underground club had transformed into much more. Candles of every size and shape lined every wall, burning softly and casting long shadows of the dancers moving about the open floor.

The furniture had been removed except for one corner and just a dance floor was left in the expansive room with hundreds of people dancing.

I froze on the stairs, not even knowing how I would handle the night. The magic from all of the excitement and revelry was almost overwhelming and I had a hard time believing the humanity living in any proximity to this would not be able to feel it.

"Are you alright?" Jericho asked gently. "Use your magic."

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I nodded and let him escort me down the stairs, holding my full skirt carefully, so not to trip on it.

I turned on the magic and my nerves disappeared.

At the bottom of the stairs Kiran was waiting with his father and mother. There was more royal court with them as well, but I only recognized the Cartiers, Sebastian's family. All of the men were dressed in expensive tuxedos with tails, and the women in elegant ball gowns that both flattered and boasted of their wealth. Kiran and Lucan had styled their hair back smoothly, away from their faces, and their more elaborate crowns were worn in an identically crooked way. I wondered if they were wearing their party crowns; Kiran's was solid gold with rubies and emeralds glinting in the candlelight. Lucan's was also solid gold but his stones were all diamonds.... Huge diamonds.

"Your Highness," I curtsied, extending my hand to Kiran, mimicking Roxie who had been before me.

"Eden," Kiran responded slyly. When I lifted my head I was greeted with an unabashed smirk. His 542/711

eyes were smoldering and he had yet to let go of my hand.

"Happy birthday," I smiled back, leaning in. Something about Kiran's attitude encouraged me to throw caution to the wind.

"Thank you," his smirk grew and his eyes took a sweeping view of me, returning to mine obviously pleased. "You'll save a dance for me?"

"Of course," I replied coyly, but really hoping he wouldn't ask. If he found me attractive now, dancing later would just ruin that. "It is after all, your birthday."

"Eden, what a pleasure for you to join us," Lucan moved me down the reception line by calling my attention to him. I curtsied politely, extending my hand to him as well. "You look beautiful as always."

"Thank you, Your Highness," I lifted my head and met his careful smile with my own.

"I hope you will save me a dance as well." Lucan let go of my hand and moved me down the line before I could respond. I stumbled to Queen 543/711

Analisa trying to think of an excuse or exit strategy but I was caught. I curtsied for Analisa and then left the line before meeting any of Sebastian's family.

Jericho was waiting for me at the end of the reception line and I ran to him, trying to keep myself together.

"Lucan wants to dance with me," I whispered frantically, out of breath, my head spinning.

"Now?" Jericho asked, looking around for Lucan.

"No, I mean, I don't think so, later some time," I smoothed out my skirt and checked myself over to make sure everything was where it was supposed to be.

"Oh," Jericho said simply. "Eden, that's normal, I think he's obligated to dance with almost everyone."

"Oh," I echoed. "But I don't know how to dance,"

I whined, afraid of the scene I would make.

"Then we better practice," Jericho grabbed my hand and pulled me to the floor.

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He put a strong hand on my lower back and held my other delicately in his hand, leading me around the dance floor expertly. I laughed at Jericho's serious face and business-like manner, letting him lead and teach me.

"I forgot how good you were at this," I laughed, completely relaxing in his arms.

"Seriously, how could you forget that?" He smiled back at me and slowed down a little bit.

"That is a good question!" I agreed and then screamed a little when he suddenly dipped me low without warning.

"Relax, I got you," he whispered, lifting me back up and bringing me closer to his body. He looked deep into my eyes, the green part of his eyes flashing golden, before returning to a mixture of chocolate brown and emeralds; they were blazing, as if set on fire by the candle light, and I forgot the room around me for a moment.

"Um, should we, should we find Avalon?" I ruined the moment, but I couldn't let Kiran find me like that in Jericho's arms. Their confrontation 545/711

at the Winter Solstice dance flashed through my memory and I didn't want to ruin Kiran's party.

"Yes," Jericho narrowed his eyes at me, "that is a good idea."

He took his hand from my lower back, but led me through the crowd of people with his other one. I followed closely at his heels, using magic to keep from tripping on my long train.

"I could get used to this," Avalon grunted, when we finally found them near the bar. He was holding a plate of small appetizers. "Eden, you should get these recipes."

"And do what with them?" I laughed.

"So anything interesting happen?" He ignored me, scanning the room with his well trained surveillance eye.

"I have to dance with Lucan later," I grumbled, praying I wouldn't make a fool out of myself.

"How awful," Roxie empathized and I was thankful she understood how terrible it would be.

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"Thank you!" I exclaimed, "and do I have to talk during it, or can I just I save myself the trouble of putting my foot in my mouth!"

"You don't have to talk if you don't want to, Love. You can just stand there and look pretty, I'm sure my father won't mind." Kiran answered from behind me, clearly amused.

"Well, hello," I turned on my heel to face him. "I didn't expect to see you so

soon."

"Didn't you?" he smirked, extending his elbow to me. "You could hardly expect me to stay away for long; look at you." His eyes shimmered in their deep ocean of a way, "Will you dance with me?"

I nodded respectfully and took his arm. Kiran led me to the dance floor, twirled me about the floor, all eyes watching him. I was effortless in his arms, a characteristic I didn't even know that I possessed.

The music changed, slowing down and so did Kiran. Pressing my body to his and resting his 547/711

cheek against my temple. The moment was enough to easily forget the rest of the room, although in the back of my mind I knew we were never alone.

"You're the envy of every lady in this room tonight," Kiran whispered in my ear.

"I suppose they're all jealous of my dance moves," I joked, sarcastically, assuming he meant because I was the one dancing with him.

"Of course," he agreed, dramatically, pulling away for a moment to gaze into my eyes. "I meant because of your incomparable beauty."

"Oh that. I mean, obviously!" I was still joking, but my cheeks blushed from the compliment.

"Well, I can hardly take credit for the dress."

"Nor should you," he kissed me on the cheek and I was shocked at his boldness in front of everyone. "I have excellent taste."

"Yes, you do," I smiled adoringly at him, and his eyes swept over me, taking me in again.

"Is that the necklace I gave you?" he stopped moving for a moment and took the soft pink 548/711

pendant in his hand, fingering the stone as if rubbing the color off of it.

"Yes," I answered. The look in Kiran's eyes had changed from obvious love to strange curiosity. I cleared my throat suddenly, nervous I had made a mistake.

"How did you do that with the color?" he moved closer, bringing the necklace to his face.

"I don't know," I began, "I just put it on, and that is the color it turned," I was a bad liar. I didn't even know why I was lying, but something in the expression on Kiran's face had made the hair on the back of my neck stand up.

"But that is impossible," Kiran looked up at me, a flash of betrayal passed across his face and I opened my mouth to explain the truth, but we were interrupted.

"May I?" Lucan was behind Kiran, extending his hand to me.

"Of course," Kiran replied respectfully, bowing to his father before disappearing into the crowd.

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Lucan took another step forward and I placed my hand gently in his. He moved me across the dance floor with grace, while keeping me at a healthy distance. For a while he didn't speak, he looked over my head at the gathered room dancing. I was thankful for that and didn't offer any conversation, doing my best to keep my eyes from staring at my feet.

"Are you having a good evening?" Lucan asked curtly.

"Yes, lovely, thank you, Your Majesty."

"Good. And your friends? Are they also having a good evening?" Lucan looked towards the bar, where Avalon, Jericho and Roxie stood watching us, drinks in hand.

"I believe they are," I smiled politely, but Lucan didn't notice, he was still watching my friends.

"Your friend, what is his name?" Lucan asked, his careful tone never changing.

"Jericho Bentley, Your Highness," I replied, worrying that I was over-doing it with all of the titles.