Will, in true drunken fashion, drags me onto the dance floor, and after a few moments, Thaddeus slips into the fold bringing with him a frowning lady.
And one by one everyone joins in, filling the makeshift dance floor. The music is quite upbeat, feel-good music, and it does make me feel good. Just what I needed after a very intense start to the evening. Never been to a club, and my last attempt ended disastrously but this party- even though it started rather slow- is quickly becoming my favourite.
We spend hours dancing and laughing just because we can. The last formal party I attended was also a disaster so this alone is making up heaps for it. Once in a while, I catch glimpses of Mason leaning against the wall, glass in hand, observing from a distance. For once, I put everything else on the back burner, and enjoy myself so thoroughly, that when the night draws to an end, feet aching and sweaty, I feel satisfied. I look around at the lingering couples and can't help but smile. It has been a good night.
Will and Thaddeus bid me goodnight, and invite me to the race the following week, which I have every intention to attend to. I'll be dragging Laira with me and possibly Enid, Marie, and everyone else who might want to join us.
Slowly the crowd thins, people retreating to their homes as they say their goodbyes to the hosts of the party. I catch a glimpse of Marie from across the room, and I'm stunned to see that she is still going strong. I've left my watch behind and I have no idea what time it is. Surely, it has been hours.
The hairs on the back of my neck stand to attention and I already know who is watching me. It has been a little bit like that all night. It didn't matter where I went, he had been a short distance away.
His hand falls delicately on the small of my back, and I instinctively lean into his touch, my body searching for more points of contact. That stolen touch isn't enough.
Sliding on my side, Mason leans in, his lips brushing against my ear making me shiver.
The soft breath caressing my skin, stokes the smouldering embers to a blazing flame in a matter of seconds, " Have you enjoyed yourself tonight?" The soft rasp of his voice, against all that smooth velvet in his timbre makes me vibrate at an unholy frequency.
I turn to look at him, our noses brushing against one another, and our breaths mingling giving me a taste of what he has been drinking all night," Yes," I whisper, unable to take my eyes off his plump lips.
" Good. You looked ravishing on the dance floor. It is time to head to bed for the night," He gently guides me out of the room, the few people lingering, engaged in deep conversation with Enid and Marie. There's still waiting staff milling about, slowly clearing trays, glasses, empty bottles of wine, and the decorations that have been put on. Mainly flowers, and a lot of foliage, spread around the house in every available corner, on the walls, and some hanging from the high ceilings. Enid spared no expense. And still, the question remains, what was the reason for such a grandiose party?
We move past everyone, trying to keep a respectable distance between us. We don't speak, I keep my gaze locked onto the end of the corridor, which is quite far away.
When we reach my former bedroom, he drops his pace to a slow cant, constantly looking over his shoulder. This side of the house seems to be fairly untouched, not many decorations left, except for a large vase of blooming roses on a high table, in an alcove illuminated by a wall sconce.
With one look over his shoulder Mason pushes the door open and steps aside allowing me to go in first. But I stop, as soon as I set foot in the room when I'm greeted by what appears to be hundreds of lit candles, the room itself resembling a garden in bloom. There are flowers everywhere you look, various colours, vividly contrasting against the sombriety of the room.
The soft click of the door closing behind me jolts me awake from my stunned state. I don't know what to make of it.
Mason presses his chest against my back, folding his arms around my waist. I am acutely aware of all the points our bodies are touching, the heat radiating from his body, seeping into mine, melting me from inside out.
" It's beautiful," I turn in his arms, sliding my hands over his cheeks, " Never pegged you for a romantic, " I smile. He mirrors it, bringing his hand to tuck a stray lock of hair that has escaped my fascinator.
" Never underestimate the things I would do to show how much I love you," He presses a kiss to my forehead, his hand caressing my back joining the other to frame my face.
" This is a sad attempt to make up for all the time we have lost, " He says as he pulls away, and my poor heart struggles to keep up with the emotions threatening to overwhelm me.
The warmth spreading in my chest has grown exponentially since we laid down arms. It grows stronger each time, and each time we are together our bond is being reinforced. Also, my belief that Mason is beyond incredible.
" Thank you," I press a chaste kiss to his lips, and pull away. I can't take my eyes off him, and the loving look in his eyes. This is what dreams are made of, and I should be so lucky to be able to keep this for the rest of my life.
" Always, Canim," His fingers gently brush against my cheeks, brightly smiling back at me, and it feels all too surreal.
" If you're hungry, I've squirrelled away some food, and wine, " He looks over my shoulder to the table laden with hors d'oeuvre.
" Thank you, but Will has made sure to feed me well throughout the evening. She was afraid I wouldn't be able to keep up with her. Granted she has more energy than anyone I've ever met," He chuckles, and all of this, behind closed doors, away from the rest of the world feels so normal. His ability to pull a veil between the outside world and us is incredible.