Page 76 of Rising Out of the Darkness (Divine Guardians Duology #1)
Elena
“ B reathe, Lena,” Clara mumbled under her breath, so hushed that I barely heard her at all.
“They’re all staring,” I whispered between my trembling lips.
Run. The word kept pounding inside my head. Every instinct told me to kick off these ridiculous heels and leave this place just a distant memory. Reaching for the mantra that often pulled me out of my spiral, I let it repeat in my head, praying the weight of the moment would fade.
I am the light, no darkness can bind me. I have it within me to hold and to guide me .
The tension in my shoulders and back began to release as my eyes fluttered back open.
I can do this. No, I will do this.
Not only for myself, but for all of those holding onto the hope that the Light Phoenix would bring them out of the darkness that was decaying the kingdom. Shoulders back, chin tilted up, I let that hope strengthen me, replacing my fear with the confidence to help me make it through the night.
The ballroom murmured back to life, music replacing the silence from a few moments ago.
That was when I felt his gaze, stirring that tug in my chest that kept me connected to the one man I couldn’t seem to erase from my mind. His verdant eyes called to me from across the room, beckoning me towards him.
“Come on, Light Phoenix. Let’s get this over with so you have the rest of the evening to… persuade my cousin.” Her pearly whites beamed towards me, as she tugged my arm, setting us on a course towards our hosts for the evening.
Everywhere the candlelight touched glistened with opulence. Even though it was dark outside, the stained-glass windows that depicted the forest landscapes and shorelines of Ehora were brought to life by giant pits of fire outside.
It was unlike anything I had ever seen, and instead of being awed by it, I was overwhelmed with nausea. Mostly due to the sight of the guests from poorer districts of the city with plates piled high with food, while others dressed in fine silks and pearls sneered toward them.
The ache in my heart pulsed. This was probably more food than many of them saw in a week. I knew, because I’d been there as well.
Several days ago, during our last gathering, I had suggested that the king extend an invite to his entire city. Before he was able to reject my idea, several other dignitaries agreed, causing him to send out invites the next day.
Clara relaxed her pace as we approached the circle of powerful people in front of us. Declan’s eyes still roved over my body, locking me in an impenetrable gaze.
I held tight onto my ward, trying to not let my feelings spill into the other Empath in the room. However, the physical reaction to his heated gaze seemed to not be as easily contained. Warmth heated my cheeks and flushed down the sides of my neck.
I bit my lip, a dire attempt to distract myself. A low groan murmured from him. I couldn’t help the twitch of my lips as Declan drained the whiskey from his glass.
An all-too-familiar voice from home filled my ears, causing my body to freeze. “Looks like you’re still capable of knocking men on their asses, Lena. Still damn breathtaking.” Will took a deep swig from his own wine glass.
Cloudy blue eyes were full of fire, directed to the man standing across from him, dressed head to toe in black. A man who was currently looking at him like he could kill him with just one snap of his finger.
“Let’s dance.” Will shoved his wine goblet into Adara’s hand and tugged me into the middle of the dance floor.
He twirled me around in a circle, then spun me back hard so I slammed back into his chest. He intertwined his fingers with mine, but his other hand gripped my waist with a bruising grip. Leaning in close, he whispered into my ear. “You look incredible tonight, Elena.”
As he pulled away, his eyes assessed my body in a leisurely way that made me feel uncomfortable.
His reddened face moved closer to mine, and I could smell the sweet and sour stench of wine upon his breath.
“Have you made your decision?” He swayed me back and forth, his grip around me tightening around me in a possessive way that made me worry he might never let go.
Nerves tangled my stomach in knots, but I knew he deserved to hear the truth. “Will…” His eyes widened, and our bodies stilled. “I won’t be going back to the City of Ash with you. I’m sorry,” I whispered, taking the opportunity to push myself out of his hold.
Will’s lip curled as he stepped forward, grasping for me, but was only met with Declan’s arm.
“It’s my turn to take Lady Elena for a spin around the room,” Declan rumbled before he spun us away. “Dare to dance with me, Wildfire?”
Without waiting for a reply, he pulled me closer to his warmth, and I couldn’t resist the pull of his gaze. When his fingers brushed against the bare skin of the small of my back, it sparked a burn to kindle down my lower abdomen.
His stubble brushed against my cheek, and my toes curled inside my heels.
“I was a fool,” he whispered against my cheek.
“You’ve made me feel alive again. Elena, you’ve become the reason I wake up in the morning, and you’re the last person I think of when I go to sleep.
You’ve become the pulse of my heart, love, and without you I fear it will just stop beating entirely.
I’m so sorry for running away. That was the last time I will make that mistake. ”
“Are you sure?” I arched my brow.
“Well…unless you toss another one of those damn spoons at my forehead again. Only then might I quiver in my boots.” A sly grin split his lips as I slapped his shoulder.
Grabbing his collar, I pulled him down until our mouths hovered dangerously close. “Try to run from me again, and I might just use a fork.” I used all my restraint to push him back upright before we made a scene in the middle of the dance floor.
Declan’s eyes sparkled with mirth as he brought my palm up and pressed his lips against it.
“You have a deal, love.”