Chapter 24 Chapter 24
Audrey
There were red lanterns hanging from the banquet halls ceiling. Wickedly carved pumpkins lined the walls and the long trestle tables sparkled with candles. The electric type but it still looked magical.
Like something out of a dark fairytale.
Next to me, her head leaning on Duncan’s shoulder Bethan let out a squeal of approval. Clapping her hands wildly.
“I can’t believe we are actually here.” Bethan exclaimed and I had to admit that her excitement was contagious.
“I know.” Turning to her I pulled her into my arms and hugged her. “You finally managed to get us tickets. I’m so proud and thankful for you Bethan.”
“Even if I stole your work husband.” She whispered jn my ear and I couldn’t help it I laughed. “Yeah. I would much rather my two favourite people get together than with anyone else.” I said honestly.
And that was the truth. Sure it had been a shock seeing them together but it wasn’t like I was interested in Duncan. I had Gabriel.
No, I didn’t. I did a double take. Forcing an awkward smile on my face. I didn’t have Gabriel.
I didn’t even want him.
I had Johnny.
I flashed him a smile and he frowned at me in return. His thick eyebrows knotted together.
“Bethan got the tickets?” He asked , looking from each of us in turn.
“Yeah.” Cuddled back into his side I tilted my head up. He was handsome and sweet and not dangerous and he liked me.
So why had my mind instantly gone back to Gabriel.
“We have been talking about it for years but it’s a lottery and we never won the tickets but it seems this was our year.” Lifting her hand Bethan waited for me to high five her.
I did it with a laugh. “That’s because this is our year.”
Duncan joined in, it was only Johnny that remained silent.
“What is it?” I asked because clearly something was bothering him.
“It’s nothing.” He shrugged. “I just presumed with your connections to the Kings that you got the tickets through them. My mistake. I have to admit.” Reaching up he pulled the mask firmly over his face and hid his expressions from me. “That I feel better than it was though Bethan. I have a bad feeling about the Kings being so interested in you,”
Reeling, I forced myself to smile but it cracked on my face. There was only one King that was interested in me. The others just wanted my grandmas house for some reason.
“What do the kings have to do with this party?” I hissed out the corner of my mouth.
“They are the ones that set this thing up every year. They arrange and fund it. It’s one of the King family's charitable deeds.” Behind the mask he rolled his eyes. “Like raising some money for a charity wipes their slate clean. You didn’t know?”
Numbly I shook my head. “No.”
If I’d known I would never have come but it all made sense. Gabriel knew everything about me, and he was always watching. An invitation straight to me would have been ignored but by giving it to Bethan he almost guaranteed I would be here.
And if I was here then so was he.
Nervously I plucked at my skirt, my eyes drifting around the crowds. Every face was masked. Costumes , some horrifying and some beautiful filled every space and he could be any of them.
Or he might not be here at all.
“Shall we dance?” Johnny held out his hand, and I slipped mine into it. Letting him lead me onto the dance floor and spin me in a small circle before taking me into his arms.
It felt good to be held gently, to have a nice normal man that wanted to spend time with me but I couldn’t help but feel uncomfortable.
Now I knew whose party this was, it was like I could feel his eyes on me. The hair on the back of my neck stood on end and I trembled.
“I’m glad you invited me here tonight Audrey.” Johnnys hand on the small of my back pulled me in tighter to his body. “But we don’t need to go further tonight. You know I’m easy and I don’t want to rush you.”
Fingers splayed over my back.
“I’m glad you are here as well.” I mumbled. Out of the corner of my eye I saw someone move. Tall with wide shoulders. He seemed to slip along the wall like a ghost.
Dressed head to toe in a black with wings that looked like mine but in a midnight black. They were so big the tips brushed the ground when he walked. I couldn’t see his eyes but it felt like he was watching me.
It felt like he was watching me.
Gabriel.
It was Gabriel. He was here.
“You don’t need to be nervous.” Johnny continued. “We don’t need to-“
He thought I was trembling with nerves. And in a way I was nervous but not because of him. Because my stalker was back. I might not be able to see his face but then I never had, but I knew he was here.
Watching, waiting-
No. My hands closed into fists and I had to force myself to relax and curl them into his hair. Tilting my head up to his I took a deep breath.
“I’m ready.” I whispered and dragged his head down to mine. “I want you. Now.”
Johnny's eyes narrowed behind his mask. “Now?”
Blushing, I nodded. “Do you remember on the tour? That room at the end of the hall. The one-“
His eyes shone. “Yeah I remember. But wait do you mean right now?”
I caught his mouth with mine. Nipping at his lips. “I don’t know if I can wait any longer.”
It was dangerous if Gabriel was really here but he was the one who had left. He didn’t get to dictate my life anymore.
I was with Johnny now. Sure he didn’t take my breath away but he was what I needed plus I was leaving and going back to the city soon.
Gabriel had to realise that his infatuation with me was over.
“Unless you do.”
Chuckling Johnny shook his head. “No I don’t want to wait but we should probably leave separately. Tell Bethan you’re going to the bathroom and I’ll follow in a few minutes. Oh and Audrey?”
I lifted my head to him, and he caught my lips. Kissing me wildly. It was a kiss of ownership, of property.
He flexed his hips into me and I let out a sigh. “You have five minutes.” Untangling myself from his arms I grinned at Bethan. “Be back in a few, just going to the little girls room.”
Sauntering away I knew he was watching me because I could feel his eyes on my hips.
Not Johnny. Although I knew he was watching as well but he wasn’t the one who I wanted to follow me right now.
Leaving the grand hall, I turned left away from the toilets and headed up the tower's stairs.
I didn’t look back to see if he was following me.
I already knew he was.