Unraveling Eden ✔ [ONC 2021]

Chapter Two

Chapter Two

The ball was beyond anything in my wildest dreams and while I seemed to be accepted as an elite, there was no doubt that I looked the part, I felt like a fish out of water. My guard was raised, my lungs rigid as I huffed in a much-needed breath. Everyone was so prim and proper, talking lowly as the string quartet played such elegant tunes. Couples waltzed around me, not a step out of place. It was as though it was muscle memory, even the pleasantries. That was how I knew I truly didn't belong here. Every ounce of my being went into making sure that I didn't put my foot in my mouth, literally and figuratively.

As each person passed me by, grazing the flowing fabric of my dress my heart leaped out of my chest. I felt like a tumbleweed in the wind, being tossed through the crowd only waiting for one to drag me from the ball. Suddenly I was falling right into someone's strong grasp. I hung in his arms, staring up at his honey-kissed eyes and luscious brown curls that sat on top of his head. My world stopped spinning and for a moment I forgot where I was, and who I was. Instead of the imposter at the Prince's masked ball, I was just a girl in a man's arms. This was where I was meant to be.

I felt silly for even letting a man take my breath away, but I couldn't control it. There was something about him that was oddly comforting. His touch. His smell. Yet I couldn't seem to figure out why he was so familiar. Maybe we had crossed paths in my travels with the Lady Brighton. It was unlikely, but not impossible. Of course, it was hard to tell with the black embroidered mask covering half of his face. He placed me gently back on my feet.

"Thank you," I said as quietly as a mouse as a nervous giggle escaped my lips. "You saved me."

"Quite the contrary, Miss. I merely caught you," he confessed, though his brows were furrowed as if he were deep in thought. "Have we met before? I must say, you look very familiar." His hand lingered on the small of my back like if he let go he thought I would slip away. Though my feet were glued in place. I had a sneaking suspicion that nothing in the world could tear me away from him, even though we had just met. My whole being begged to know this man. His every crevice and demon.

I shook my head, trying to bring myself back down to earth. "No, I don't think we have."

"I'm sorry, my mistake. I'll blame it on the masks," he apologized politely.

"Yes, must be the masks. I thought you looked familiar as well, but I just can't seem to bring to mind where we would have met." I still couldn't shake it, the feeling as though we had known each other for years and years even though I knew deep down that wasn't possible. We were from different worlds after all.

"I'm Nik, pleased to meet you." He removed his hand from where it sat on my back and cupped my hand. He raised it to his lips and kissed the back of my palm gently. I could feel his warm breath through my black lace gloves.

"Delphine," I introduced myself and my heart sank. Given that I wasn't supposed to be here, I probably shouldn't have given him my real name. There were so many people here, how would he ever know I wasn't who I said I was? I shook off my panicked state and smiled, this was going to be a good night. "And the pleasure is mine."

The music teetered off and the silence became filled with idle chatter. Nik leaned toward me and whispered in my ear, "May I have this dance?" He held out a hand as the violins trumpeted once again, playing a pretty tune. I placed my hand in his and nodded, even though my heart raced. All of those years standing on my father's toes, dancing around the kitchen hadn't prepared me for this moment. He seemed to sense my nerves. "Just follow me."