189
Lucy
I thought I would hesitated to answer, but I didn’t.
"I think I'd like to stay," I said, looking directly at David. "If that's okay with you."
David smiled, his gaze warm and relieved. "Of course, Lucy. Whatever you're comfortable with. How about a tour?"
“Sounds great.”
He offered me his hand, and I took it, twining our fingers together nervously. His eyes grew a little brighter as he led me out of the kitchen and turned off the lights. He led me down the corridor of the silent Estate. Hunter flew overhead, roosting high up in one of the long corridors for the night.
Soon, we headed outside. The night wind greeted us as he led me away from the house. The moon hung high in the sky, casting a silvery glow over the Blood Moon Estate gardens. David and I strolled through the winding pathways, surrounded by the scent of blooming flowers and the soft rustle of leaves in the gentle breeze. It was late into the night, yet the serenity of the gardens was comforting.
“Roses?” I asked.
He nodded. “This is the rose garden. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve pricked my hands on any of them.”
He shook his head, and I tried not to think about that vision I had when I was growing the rose bush. Was the place in that vision this rose garden? I wasn’t sure, but as we walked and he answered my questions about everything, I stopped worrying about it.
He was so relaxed walking with me and talking with me, and I was just as relaxed. I was comfortable. I felt safe. When I shivered, he drew me closer.
“We could go back inside?”
I shook my head. “I’m… I’m okay.”
He eyed me before turning back. He made a sharp gesture, and a few seconds later, his suit jacket came flying out the door. He caught it and set it on my shoulders. The warmth and his scent enveloped me.
“That was… amazing.”
“Summoning,” he said. “You’ll learn it pretty soon from what I hear.”
We wandered through hidden alcoves, paused to admire the intricate designs of the hedges, and lingered by a tranquil pond where moonlight danced on the water's surface. The world beyond tonight—the Festival, Blue Moon, and everything else—felt far away as if it was just the two of us in our own magical bubble.
As the hours passed, I found myself drawn closer to David. Our hands remained entwined, but soon, he had wrapped his arm around me. It was almost as if time itself had slowed down, allowing us to just be together.
Eventually, the sky began to lighten, and the first signs of dawn peeked over the horizon.
“It can’t be that late,” David said and looked at his watch. He tutted. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to keep you out so late. You have classes tomorrow?”
I shook my head. “I’m okay.”
He shook his head. “I… Well, you’re welcome to stay the night.”
“I’m fine.”
I blinked. Each blink felt heavier than the last, but I couldn’t say that. He chuckled.
“You look like you’re going to go to sleep on your feet. Come on. I’ll pack you some mousse. You’re welcome to stay the night, or I could drive you back to the White Moon Estate?”
I bit my lip, tempted to stay. “If it’s… not too much trouble.”
“No trouble at all.”
Reluctantly, we started making our way back toward the main part of the Estate, our steps slower than before. The thought of parting felt bittersweet, and I wished that the night could last forever. I wished I was braver to just stay, but I wasn’t.
One day, I would be.
As we reached the entrance of the Estate, the air between us seemed charged with an unspoken tension. We went back to the kitchen. He packed up a few containers of the mousse and then walked me to the garage. He put me in the car like a princess and drove me back as the sun continued to rise.
When we reached the Estate, he got out and walked me to the front door. We stood facing each other, the anticipation palpable. It felt as if the world had faded away, leaving just the two of us in that moment.
“Lucy, I…” He bit his lip. I stared at him. My heart racing with hope that I couldn’t even name for myself. He drew closer. I could feel his body heat as he slid his hand over my cheek, cupping my jaw. He moved slowly like he was waiting for me to pull back.
Would I?
Did I want to?
I could feel the warmth of his breath against my skin, his eyes locked onto mine. The world around us blurred as my heart raced, the electric charge between us growing stronger. I closed my eyes and leaned forward tentatively. But just as our lips were about to touch, a voice cut through the moment like a sudden clap of thunder.
"Lucy!"
Startled, I pulled away from David. My eyes flew open at Lucian’s voice.
The moment was both exhilarating and bewildering. In one heartbeat, David and I were on the verge of a kiss that held the promise of a thousand dreams. My uncle was standing there with a knowing, teasing look. David pulled away with a gentle smile. His voice, warm and sincere, cut through the charged air.
"Good evening, David," Lucian greeted, his voice was teasing. “Well… morning…”
"Good morning, Lucian," David replied. “Headed out for the day?”
He grinned. “Busy as hell, unfortunately. Lots of people to say no to.”
He chuckled. “I’m sure.”
David turned back to me and tucked a curl behind my ear. I was starting to wonder if I should let it grow out a little more, so he always did that.
"I need to head off now," he said, looking at me with those intense purple eyes that seemed to hold a world of emotions. "It's been a wonderful night. I'll see you again soon."
My heart raced, my cheeks flushed, and I managed to nod in response. "Yeah, see you soon."
“Don’t hurry along on my account,” Lucian said, grinning wildly.
“I’m not,” David said. “Early start. Tuxedo fitting… for the Festival.”
He looked at me again. “I promised to tell Stacy if I have any color in my tuxedo, but you should know it’s… probably going to have a bit of red.”
I blinked. “Red?”
“Blood Moon,” he said, he looked at Lucian. “If you need help getting crested things, let me know.”
“Oh, I thought she’d be wearing the Blood Moon crest,” Lucian wiggled his eyebrows at me.
I wanted to melt into the floor.
“If you want,” David said. His voice was a low rumble that seemed a lot like he really wanted me to. He looked at me. “It’s… your decision.”
I felt like I was standing in a spotlight, frozen in place. “I-I…. I’ll think about it.”
He nodded and walked away. I felt like I was standing on the edge of something new, something that held endless possibilities, something I wanted.
And then, David turned and glanced back at me, his eyes lingering with an intensity that seemed to pierce through to my very soul. "Take care, Lucy. Get some rest."
"You too," I managed to reply, my voice barely above a whisper.
David climbed into the car and drove off. I stood there for a few moments before Lucian cleared his throat.
I turned around, my face heating up again. The mischievous glint in his eyes was unmistakable, and I knew that he had seen more than I might have wanted him to. He wiggled his eyebrows at me.
“Well, what do you want?” He asked. “You could wear White Moon, but the look on your face makes it seem like you really want to wear Blood Moon’s crest.”
I scowled at him. “I didn’t know I’d have to.”
“Maybe we’ll compromise,” he said thoughtfully. “Red in your dress with a White Moon crest? Or white in your dress with the Blood Moon crest?”
He eyed me, and I huffed. “You’re… You’re teasing me. It’s not nice.”
"Teasing? I’m just admiring young love," he mused, his voice tinged with amusement. "Like a budding rose, so delicate, sweet, and full of promise."
I couldn't help but feel my cheeks burn as I tried to hurry inside, but he caught me gently by the shoulder.
“There’s no need to be embarrassed, Lucy. These are beautiful moments, ones you deserve… Ones, I’m so happy you can have.”
I managed a shy smile, my fingers fidgeting with the hem of my shirt. "Thanks, Uncle Lucian."
“Though you should probably return his jacket to him.”
I froze as I realized that I hadn’t given it back to him.
As I walked inside, Jessie appeared.
“Is that a man’s jacket?”
“I don’t want to talk about it!”
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