Chapter 84: A dance and a discovery
AYLA
We met Ares and Cassian at the entrance to the banquet hall.
Cassian’s eyes swept over me, and his eyes softening.
"Ayla." He took my free hand and pressed a kiss to my knuckles. "You look absolutely breathtaking. Blue was made for you."
"Thank you, Cassian." I preened under his intense gaze.
Ares said nothing. His eyes were fixed on the necklace at my throat, and something in his expression made my chest ache.
"Shall we?" Damon asked.
He led me into the hall, and the room seemed to part around us.
Heads turned as we walked. Whispers rippled through the crowd as every eye in the room landed on me. My eyes met the angry ones that were Celeste’s and Willow’s from across the room.
Damon guided me through the crowd, his hand resting at the small of my back.
The music began as if on cue.
"Dance with me," Cassian said, appearing at my side.
Damon released me with a smile, and Cassian took my hand, leading me onto the floor.
He pulled me close, one hand at my waist, the other clasping mine. We moved together and I let myself relax into the rhythm of the music.
"You look beautiful tonight, Ayla." His voice was low, his lips brushing my ear. "I would have very much loved to escort you. Why Damon?"
I opened my mouth to answer, but the music shifted, and the dance demanded a change of partners. Cassian’s hand slipped from mine, and I was drawn into another embrace.
Ares’.
His hand found my waist, pulling me flush against his chest. His green eyes burned into mine.
"I can think of nothing I would rather do," he murmured, his lips at my ear, "than get you out of this dress, beautiful as it is."
The heat flooded my cheeks, spreading to the roots of my hair.
"Ares..."
"Shh." His thumb traced the line of my spine. "Dance with me."
I did. His hand was possessive at my back, and I could feel the coiled tension in his body, the barely leashed hunger in his gaze. When the music shifted again, he released me reluctantly, his fingers trailing down my arm as I was drawn away into Damon’s arms.
He caught me around the waist, pulling me to himself with a grin.
"We should leave now," he murmured against my ear.
"What?"
"The archives. Dance with me to the door, and then we slip away."
"But will they not notice we are gone?"
"That is why you should make it look like you cannot keep your hands off me." His grin widened. "Anyone who notices us missing will think we have gone to fuck the hell out of each other."
"Damon!"
"What? It is a sound strategy." He pulled me closer, his hand splaying across my lower back. "Come on, Ayla. Do not tell me you have never tried to act madly in love with anyone. It is fairly easy. Keep your eyes on me and let me do the rest."
He dipped his head until his lips brushed the shell of my ear, and we began to move.
I lost myself in him.
His hand guided me across the floor, his body pressed against mine, his breath warm on my skin. He whispered things in my ear, things that made my pulse race, and I let myself fall into the rhythm of his seduction.
My eyes fluttered closed and my head tipped back.
His lips found my neck, trailing down the column of my throat. His tongue traced the line of my collarbone, nibbling gently, and I gasped, my fingers digging into his shoulders.
"Ayla." His voice was rough, barely a breath. "Keep your eyes on me."
I opened them. The room spun around us, a blur of candlelight and faces, but I saw only him. His amber eyes held mine and I forgot where I was and everything else.
When I came back to myself, we were at the entrance.
I had no idea how he had done it. He had moved us across the dance floor so smoothly, so completely, that I had not even noticed. I could feel Ares’ and Cassian’s eyes burning into the back of my head, but I did not spare them a glance because I knew what they were thinking.
What everyone in the room would be thinking.
That Damon and I were leaving to fuck.
Damon’s hand found mine, and we walked out of the hall.
"I should change out of my dress" I mentioned.
"Let’s head to your room."
I nodded.
Damon led me to my room and when we walked inside, it was thankfully empty.
"Turn around"
Damon’s eyes darkened but he did as I asked, giving me his back while I struggled out of the dress.
I blew a breath.
"I need help"
"Can I turn around now?" he teased.
"Yes, you can."
He turned and reached behind me for the zip of my dress.
I felt his fingers brush my back, tracing a pattern down to my waist where the zip ended.
I could hardly breathe and I could hear him behind me, his breath hot against my skin.
"Thank you" I muttered.
He took a step back, his eyes wide.
"Of course"
He said nothing else, giving me his back again.
I climbed out of the gown and reached for another dress of mine. One I could use in that crawl space that would not be missed.
"I am ready"
Damon turned around and regarded me.
"You annoyingly look good in everything." He grinned, dispelling the tension from earlier.
We walked out of my room, heading past the archives room before Damon stopped walking.
"What is it?" I whispered.
He moved out of the way so I could see what had stopped him in his tracks.
The main door to the archives room that was always locked, stood ajar.
Damon looked at me, and I looked at him then he pushed it open.