An idea sparked within her, and mischief flickered in her blue eyes. "Let's go dance, Damien. Remember that dance we performed a century ago in London? Let's recreate that magic now," she proposed.
Damien looked up at her, catching the flicker of mischief in her eyes, and found himself compelled to accept her offer.
Together, they strolled towards the center of the dance floor, evoking an aura of carefree nonchalance.
The crowd instinctively made way for their captivating presence, turning their attention towards the couple who stood at the heart of the dance floor. A murmuring anticipation filled the ballroom.
The chandelier lights dimmed, leaving a solitary beam of light to illuminate the pair. They shared a silent moment, waiting for the orchestra's masterful notes to guide their movements. Gasps rippled through the gathered guests as the distinctive melody filled the air—a lively salsa dance.
"A scandalous dance, perfectly suited for this outrageously attractive couple," a woman standing near Lauren observed, giggling as she watched Damien and Serafina artfully sway their bodies.
The Benneth sisters exchanged glances before shifting their focus back to their cousin, who watched the dance unfold with an unreadable expression.
"She doesn't seem pleased, and I can't blame her," Alanna commented, her voice tinged with sadness.
"That was a thoughtless move, flaunting that kind of dance with another woman in front of someone he holds feelings for," Ariana objected.
"It's just a dance," Alanna countered.
"This is more than just a dance—it's a sultry salsa, infused with undeniable sensuality," Ariana argued.
Ten minutes into the dance, Lauren discreetly slipped out of the ballroom and made her way to the terrace, overlooking the nearby gardens. Watching Damien and Serafina dance had become suffocating for her, to say the least.
Finding solace in the garden, the air carried a sweeter fragrance, enveloping her senses. The moonlight cast a softer glow, imbuing the surroundings with a romantic aura.
Taking a deep breath, Lauren gazed up at the moon, which triggered memories of encounters with the moon goddess and a mischievous unicorn. A gentle chuckle escaped her lips as she recalled the gentle scolding from the mythical creature.
Stepping further into the garden, she paused and plucked a velvety rose, bringing it to her face, allowing the delicate scent to embrace her. Lost in her reverie, she turned around, only to come face to face with Damien. Standing in the shadows, his hands nestled in his pockets, he appeared like a silhouette, his features illuminated by the moonlight.
"Oh my goodness!" Lauren exclaimed, instinctively clutching her chest in a mixture of surprise and exasperation.
"Well, hello there, Lauren," Damien greeted, flashing his trademark lopsided smile, his features undeniably perfect in the gentle moonlight.
"What are you doing here?" She inquired, feeling her heart settle from its previous frenzy.
"I came here in search of you," he replied calmly, striding past her to pluck a handful of the exquisite velvety rose blossoms.
"Why, only moments ago, you were beaming with delight as you swayed in a sultry dance with your lady friend. Now you claim to be seeking me?" She raised an eyebrow inquisitively, struggling to contain her irritation.
Detecting a tinge of anger in her voice, he pondered the reason for her indignation. After turning to face her, he gently extended the hand holding the delicate flowers.
"I missed you" he stated matter-of-factly. His choice of words, alongside the intensity with which he expressed himself, caused her heart to flutter unexpectedly. She had not anticipated such sentiments from him.
She took a deep breath and accepted the fragrant blooms from his outstretched hand.
"And as for my lady friend, Serafina, she goes way back. She's practically family," he clarified, hoping to dispel any misguided assumptions stemming from their dance.
Smiling inwardly at his effort to explain, she found solace in the knowledge that they were merely friends. Gazing at him intently, she posed the question, maintaining a composed demeanor.
"How many years constitute this so-called 'way back'?" Her words flowed calmly.
"Um... that would be a few centuries ago," he responded simply, causing Lauren to stare at him in awe.
"Exactly how old are you? From what little I've gleaned about vampires from movies, they lead lives far surpassing any other supernatural beings. Please don't tell me you're ancient beyond measure?" Her eyes fixed on him eagerly as they strolled back toward the terrace.
Damien halted abruptly, pivoting towards her with an air of intrigue. His laughter erupted from deep within, resonating with a throaty richness that sent shivers down her spine. Bathed in the moon's ethereal glow, his features appeared almost otherworldly.
"Well, as for my age, let us save that discussion for another occasion," he suggested playfully.
The pair stood upon the terrace, enveloped in a serene silence while they gazed at the celestial orb above. Sneaking glances at her, Damien couldn't resist complimenting her appearance, an intention he had harbored throughout the night if the opportunity arose.
"You looked absolutely stunning tonight," he remarked, causing Lauren to instinctively turn her face away, attempting to conceal her flushed cheeks upon hearing his words.
"Why, thank you, Damien," she responded, masking a smile. "You certainly didn't look shabby yourself."
Leaning against the terrace railing, Damien adjusted his posture to better observe her.
"Tell me, how does it feel?" he inquired, his gaze fixed upon her intently.
"How does what feel?" she queried, puzzled by his question.
"I mean, how does it feel to discover that you have the power, the ability to cast spells and change things?" He clarified, his back resting against the rail as he sought a clearer view of her.
"Honestly, it's a bit strange," she confessed. "Please promise me you won't reveal this to anyone, but even with successful careers in two challenging domains, I always sensed that something was amiss, as if a part of me remained incomplete..."
"And you no longer feel that way," Damien finished her sentence knowingly.
"Exactly. But how long have you known?" she inquired, curiosity lacing her words.
"Since the very first day I laid eyes upon you, I had a hunch that you were extraordinary. Plus, the fact that I couldn't read your thoughts confirmed it," he revealed, intently observing her reaction to his admission.
"You possess the ability to read minds?" she exclaimed, her astonishment evident, as he nodded with a smile, relishing her reaction.
"Well, thank goodness you couldn't read mine. I would have been beyond mortified," she exclaimed, a sigh of relief escaping her.
They fell into another comfortable silence, immersed in the gentle caress of the summer breeze that carried the fragrant essence of the garden to her senses. Removing his suit jacket, he carefully draped it over Lauren's shoulders. "Even as a witch, you are still susceptible to catching a cold," he remarked, his gaze turning once again to the enchanting moon above.
"I... I saw your father, King Draco Voltorie," Lauren spoke calmly, capturing Damien's immediate attention as he swiftly redirected his gaze towards her.
"Where did you see him?" he inquired, a subtle undertone of anxiety coloring his voice.
"In the past, I traveled back in time with the guidance of the moon goddess," she revealed, gauging his reactions. Damien raised an eyebrow, evidently intrigued by her statement.
"How? When?" he pressed, his curiosity apparent.
Drawing a deep breath, Lauren recounted the events that had transpired merely days ago, following her discovery of her newfound powers.
"Do you believe that my father, by any chance, ordered the massacre against your people?" Damien interjected, his inquiry hanging in the air as he awaited her response.