Her eyes widen with disgust at my touch and she pushes away from me. "Control yourself, child. It would do you good to refrain from touching people. Do you want to live?"
I open my mouth to apologize when a shrill scream rings out behind the door, followed by more screams and what sounds like a stampede. We both rush to the door, knowing that something terrible has happened. When I swing it open, I nearly collide with Niko. His eyes widen as he gazes over my shoulder, a low growl rumbling his chest. I look back at the Light Enchantress, her expression matching his. The air around us shifts, an iridescent current indicating their pulsing energies. The confined space around us buzzes with electricity. Oh no. Shit is about to get real.
The woman bears her gleaming white teeth, her gaze locked on Niko. "Get her out of here. Now," she seethes. Then she takes a step back into the bathroom and evaporates before our eyes.
"Come on," Niko says, grabbing my arm. I stumble through the hysteria, tripping over my heels. Seeing my struggle, Niko tucks me under his arm, holding me close to his torso.
"What's going on?" I ask into his ear.
He turns his face to me, yet his eyes dart everywhere, looking for a safe exit. "Another girl. Upstairs."
"Another girl was killed?! Morgan!" I shriek.
"Not her, but I have to get you out of here now." He forcefully thrusts through the crowd, shielding me from all contact.
"I can't leave without her." I try steeling myself but he still pulls me along like a ragdoll. "Niko! I am not leaving my friend!"
"Shit!" he grumbles. His mouth begins to mutter something in what I notice as the language of the Dark. He is saying, ‘Find her humans and ensure their safety.' Yet it is hardly loud enough for even me to make out.
"Who are you talking to?" I ask as we finally step outside.
"My car is this way," he says, ignoring my question. "You can text your friend once you are there."
I slip off my heels as soon as I am inside Niko's luxurious sports car, my ankles sore from stumbling. He is next to me in seconds, revving it to life.
"What the hell was that back there?" I ask once we are speeding away from the scene.
"I'd like to know the same. How long have you been involved with the Light? Does Dorian know you've been seeing them? Who else knows? Answer me, dammit!" he yells, switching lanes and weaving between cars.
"Jesus! Will you slow down?!" I screech, grabbing ahold of the dashboard. "I haven't been involved with them. That was the first time I have ever spoken to one that I know of, I swear."
"What did she want?"
"Huh? Nothing. I wanted to talk to her but she refused. Seriously, Niko, slow the fuck down!"
Niko whips into an empty parking lot and throws the car into Park before smacking the steering wheel with his palms. "Fuck!" he shouts. When he turns towards me, I see that almost all the color has drained from his blue eyes. The sight would have scared me shitless if I hadn't seen the same happen with Dorian.
"What's wrong?" I whisper.
He lays his head back onto the headrest and lets his eyelids close, taking a few deep breaths to calm the storm brewing within. "Gabriella, that was too close. You can't just run off whenever you feel like it. And then the Light girl … do you know what I would have done if things became hostile? And what my brother … "
"Hey," I coo, reaching out to him. I let my hand rest on his, our bare skin igniting a sudden feeling of euphoria. Niko immediately relaxes, sighing his relief.
"What are you doing to me?" he whispers, turning his head to look at me with questioning eyes. I notice that they have returned to their beautiful blue color. He flips his palm towards mine and we intertwine our fingers.
"I don't know," I answer truthfully.
We sit in silence for a while, holding hands and enjoying the contact. It isn't sexual- at least for me it's not- yet there is an indescribable feeling of blissful companionship between us.
"What happened earlier," Niko says quietly. "I apologize. I shouldn't have tried with you. And I knew you were marked. It's just … there's an impulse. Something I can't control. Like I am compelled to touch you in a way that I have never felt before."
"I seem to have that effect," I mutter. Me and my supernatural mojo. Pffft.
"I better get you home."
Niko pulls his hand away reluctantly and puts the car in Drive. The feelings of fear and confusion begin to crawl their way back to the surface yet they are bearable. We ride in comfortable silence, and I hardly notice when Niko pulls up in front of my apartment.
"Your friend should be home soon. She's safe."
"Thank you." I know not to question him. For some reason I can't understand, I already trust him.
"So … friends, right?" Niko says, flashing his brilliant, cocky smile.
I shake my head and a giggle slips out. "Fine. We're friends. Just stow your inner asshole and we're good."
"But you like my inner asshole," he jibes.
I squint my eyes and wriggle my nose. "Ummm, maybe a little." I let my hand touch his again and give him a genuine smile. "Thank you, Niko. I appreciate you looking out for me."
"Goodnight, Gabs."
"Goodnight, Niko."
He doesn't pull away until I am safely inside the apartment and dropping my heels beside the door. I go to the fridge and grab a bottle of water, downing its contents in just a few gulps. I'm already stripping out of my dress when I enter my bedroom and kick it across the room. Yet it doesn't fall to the ground near my bathroom where I flicked it off with my foot. Instead someone catches it, someone that has been waiting for me, lurking in the dark shadows.
Chapter Twenty
"Dorian?" I say just above a whisper.
"Yes, little girl," he replies, stepping into the stream of light coming from the hallway. The mere sight of him, the sound of his voice, nearly unravels me.
"What are you doing here?" I wrap my arms around my body, realizing I am wearing only a strapless bra and thong. I'm tempted to turn around and let him get an eyeful of my curves but my nerves override my boldness.
Dorian closes the distance between us, his eyes scanning the length of my body. Slowly, he brings his hands up and pulls my arms down to reveal my bare skin. He then gives me my favorite crooked smile in appreciation.
"I had to see you. I had to see for myself that you were safe." He lets his fingers graze the pendant he gave me months ago, the pendant I have yet to take off. Then his hand travels down to the soft skin of my bare stomach, leaving behind a trail of goosebumps. "I've missed you … so much. I feel like I haven't breathed since the last time I saw you."
"Then why did you stay away?" I frown.
Dorian tilts his head to the side. "I thought that was what you wanted. I wanted to respect your wishes. You said you no longer wanted to be with me."
"Yeah. I know, but … " I begin, feeling that familiar tightness in my chest whenever I think of what we had and lost. "I've missed you too. And I don't think I'll ever stop. It isn't getting any easier."
"So what do you want to do?" Dorian never takes his eyes off me. They roam my pouty lips, my neck, the swell of my cleavage, the flat softness of my belly. His gaze makes me feel desired and cherished.
I chew my lip to keep from saying what I really want: him. All of him. No sharing with Aurora or anyone else. "I don't think there's anything we can do. You made your choice. I wasn't it."
Dorian shakes his head and closes his eyes in frustration. "You were always my choice, Gabriella. You and only you. And you always will be. But I can't turn my back on my obligations, especially when they could potentially save your life."
"What are you talking about?" I take a step back, hoping to gain some clarity with the space.
Dorian leads me to my bed where we sit down at the foot. "It means that by me marrying Aurora, my father has agreed to step down. I will be king, Gabriella. He has ruled for over 4oo years and finally I have the opportunity to right some of his wrongs."
I blink, stunned at his confession. "Is that what you want? To be king?" I am all too aware that I am half naked and pull my comforter around me. That's about enough eye candy for him.
"It's necessary if I am to try to keep you alive."
I shift my body towards his to assess his expression. As always, he gives nothing away. "So what if I choose the Light. Will you still try to protect me?"
Dorian nods. "Yes. Because it's the right thing to do. Even if you never speak to me again. Even if the Light wages war against us with you on their side."
I let out an exasperated huff. "I never asked you to do that, Dorian. I never asked for any of this. The bond, the mark … hell, I never even asked you to pop into my life and turn it upside down! Do you know the mess you have created in all this?"
"You know I did it for you. I did it for-"
"Right, right! You did it for us!" I cut him off before he finishes the thought. "Dammit, Dorian! What happens if the rumor of your curse is true? What if you were only spelled to love me? Your father could break that spell and freakin' kill me. Then what? Huh? What happens then?"