Aftermath | Sebastian Sallow

2: Chapter 16

Sebastian POV

Y/n and I stand at the entrance of the Great Hall, prying eyes staring our way. I can tell it's making her uncomfortable, as she shifts from one foot to the other and her grip tightens on my arm.

"They're staring at me." She whispers softly. The unease in her voice kicks in my protective instinct. She's saved these sorry asses, risked her life numerous times for them. She deserves to have this night without their stares and rumors.

I glare at a few of them, some turning their heads away at my stare. I'm not going to let them intimidate her. If they want to make her the spotlight, then so be it. This will be her night.

I turn to look down at her round eyes. "Let them." She lets out a small smile.

I take her hand off my arm and hold it in front of me, my other hand rests on the small of her back. I lead her to the center of the dance floor where a few others are moving to the music that the small orchestra is playing.

Y/n circles around to meet me face to face. I lift her hand into the air and pull her closer, but still at a respectable distance, in front of everyone else here. The other dancers have moved closer to the edges of the floor, Y/n and I at the center.

"Have I already told you how exquisite you look this evening?" She really does. Her hair is in curls, the upper half of it pinned back. Her collarbones are exposed, leading down just above her breasts. This leaves enough bare skin to allow my imagination to run wild. Her lips look good enough to bite, full and glossed over. Her skirt swishes as we dance. She looks like she belongs in a fairytale.

"Someone helped me with the gown." She shrugs at me. The gown does look perfect on her. Her corset forms tightly around her waist and breasts, the dark emeralds matching me perfectly. Her delicate arms peek through the open, see-through sleeves.

I pull her slightly closer to me. "I'll have to remember to thank them." I whisper, just loud enough for her to hear over the music. "Although, I'll be happy to rip it right off of you later."

Y/n laughs at this. This is exactly how I want to see her, to see us. All of us.

I look around to find my sister swinging up in a twirl and Felix setting her back down as they continue to dance.

As much as Felix can get under my skin, it is nice to see Anne happy and.. in love. I cringe at the thought. Y/n notices this and looks at the direction in which I'm watching.

"Relax." She laughs and lifts her hand from my shoulder to to gently direct it back towards her.

"I know, I know. I'm still going to have a talk, with both of them." I say in annoyance.

"Shh, look." I look at where she's pointing with her eyes, and a large grin forms on my face.

Imelda and Ominis are on the farther end of the floor. Ominis is actually quite the fine dancer, being able to pay more attention to the rhythm of the music and the sway of his body. Tonight though, he's struggling as Imelda has two left feet.

"Ow!" I hear Ominis practically yell. "You're on my foot."

"Not my fault!" Imelda snipes back at him.

"It is your fault!" Ominis yells back at her.

Y/n and I turn to look at each other at the same time and laugh. The music dies down to an end and the dancers on the floor change positions to form a collaborative dance.

The music starts playing and we move to it in a cotillion fashion. Y/n's eyes flirt with mine as we circle around each other. The partners change and I'm paired with Anne.

"Enjoying yourself?" I tease her.

Anne points her nose up at me. "Yes, I am actually. Thank you for your concern, Sebastian."

I smirk at this, satisfied to be getting under her skin. It was nice to be able to banter with her again, after she hated me for so long.. my smile falls to a more serious expression.

"It is good to see you happy, Anne.." before she can respond, the music signals for us to change partners again.

I roll my eyes. "Don't start, Sallow." Imelda bites at me.

"I've seen you dance, you'll step all over my feet." I say to her, returning her tone.

Imelda and I stumble around the dance floor, both of us laughing. We bark at each other quite often but we have been friends since childhood. I have a love hate relationship with her.

I glance over to see Y/n dancing and talking with Felix, discussing what I'm not sure of. She seems to be enjoying herself nonetheless.

The group changes again. Instead of switching to the next partner I would have been paired with, I cut in between Y/n and Garreth Weasley.

Before he has the chance to protest, I grab a hold of Y/n's waist and twirl her across the dance floor until we reach the edge.

I hold her close to my body, as we're out of eye's reach now. I lean down to whisper in her ear. "Come away with me."

"Right now? We haven't been here for long." She says, confused by my sudden request.

"We can stay if you'd like, otherwise I have something for you." I keep my face close to her neck, nipping at it.

She giggles and slightly shoves me away. "Haven't you already given me enough, Sebastian?"

I stand up and pretend to contemplate this. "Possibly. You are becoming quite the spoiled brat." She shoves me harder this time, throwing my shoulder back. I laugh at her and grab her hand. "Come on."

We run out of the Great Hall, to the nearest Floo Flame.

"Our clothes, are you sure?" She looks at me.

"Either you take the Floo or climb all these stairs in those pretty little heels, I'm not carrying you." I answer her honestly.

"Such an ass." She grins at me and her grip tightens around mine.