Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 91049 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 455(@200wpm)___ 364(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91049 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 455(@200wpm)___ 364(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
I turn to follow his gaze. There she is. Blaise stands at the top of the stairs in a blue-and-gold gown. The corseted top lifts and displays her supple breasts. Her hair is in huge, cascading curls around her face and bare shoulders.
My breath is taken away. I can’t pull my gaze from her as she walks down the stairs. It’s like she’s floating to me. I stand with my hands behind my back, clasping the magical rose I created between my fingertips.
“You look handsome,” she breathes once she stops before me and looks up into my eyes.
“You’re beautiful.”
“I look a mess. This was a dumb idea.”
“You’re perfect,” I murmur under my breath before I can stop myself. I bring my hand from behind my back and hand her the glowing blue rose.
Her eyes soften as she takes it from me and brings it to her nose. “It smells of you,” she says in surprise.
I wink at her and smile. My mind goes back to when she said she loves the music from the earth realm. I once heard a song from there that describes this very moment. I know I’ll probably use up most of the power I’ve restored, but this is worth it.
I take over the music and play the song I’m thinking of. If I remember right, it’s called “Perfect,” the version I remember had a male and female vocalist. The male was pale like me, and the woman was brown. Not a deep brown like Blaise, but brown still.
“Will you dance with me?” I say, holding out my hand.
“Yes.”
I take her hand and wrap my other arm around her waist. We begin to spin around the room as I turn the floor beneath us into a grassy plane. The gold music notes continue to float around us.
However, I add my magic to hers and create blue notes for the parts when the male singer sings as hers follows the female vocalist’s words. Our magic is in perfect sync.
My link tugs, but I don’t fight it this time. It sets in that I haven’t been fighting it because of my betrothed back home. I’ve been fighting more out of uncertainty.
I let go and stare down into Blaise’s eyes as I spin her around the room. Placing her hand against my chest, I cover it with mine. She leans her head against my chest carefully.
It’s a subtle reminder of her horns. A reminder that they don’t matter at all in this moment. Blaise is sweet and caring.
She’s beautiful on the inside and out. I look up and watch our magic dance together. It’s all perfect. The perfect match.
* * *
Blaise
Tears burn the backs of my eyes. It’s happened. I’ve fallen in love.
I try not to get lost in the words of the song, telling myself this isn’t him speaking to me. I’m filled with emotions and confusion.
Pulling away from him, I look up into his eyes. He looks back at me, searching my face. I have so much I want to say, but none of it is right.
He leans in, pressing his nose and forehead to mine. My chest starts to ache. It’s not the type of pain he has to save me from. It’s more like a caressing ache. A stir to bring something to life.
“I want to show you something,” I say to save myself from the moment.
I take his hand and lead him up the stairs I came down. He laughs as I rush up the stairs, holding my gown in one hand and his palm in the other.
I squeeze my tail around my waist beneath my dress in anticipation. I’ve been excited about this all day. Hiasha gave me this idea. I lead Argon over to the large window.
As we stand before it, the fireworks show begins. I can’t stop smiling. It’s so beautiful. I look at Argon and he has a smile on his face as well. He moves to stand behind me and wraps his arms around my waist.
I blush and my heart races. He gives me a gentle squeeze and I relax into his hold. This is perfect. I close my eyes and wish this could be more.
“Thank you, Blaise. This has been most enjoyable. You’ve taken my mind off so much. Thank you.”
“That’s what friends are for, right?”
“You have become one of my best friends,” he breathes.
I close my eyes as the pain sears through me. While I’ve fallen in love, I’m only a friend to him. I knew it would be this way, but a part of me had held on to hope.
That hope bursts along with the fireworks outside. To love and not be loved—is it not better to not love at all? I don’t know if I can say it is.
Chapter 20
Music Notes
Argon
It’s been another long day. They seem to be longer here. I’ve lost track of how many days it has been since I’ve been here.