The Foxfire Formal Ball

Chapter 14: The Foxfire Formal Ball (Pt. 2)

     
        Just as Keefe said, Fitz was patiently waiting for her under the tree. He wore a black vest and pants to match, with a tie that was the same color as his eyes. Sophie's heart fluttered - more than fluttered, it felt more like her heart was about to fly out of her chest - as she walked up to him.

        "You look... Beautiful," Fitz said in awe.

         She blushed. "Thank you." She met his teal eyes. "And you look... Handsome."

        Fitz laughed. "It's so weird to hear you say that. Sorry, I'm bad at this, aren't I?"

       Sophie laughed with him. "You're fine. I'm nervous too."

       "Nervous? You? The Sophie Foster? You've faced kidnappers, Everblaze and the Council and I make you nervous?"

      Sophie shook her head. "I face all those things because I have to. And I'm never nervous of them - I'm terrified. But I have to be brave because that's usually all I have." She blushed. "But now I have you."

        Fitz took her hand, lacing his fingers in hers. "And now we'll face them together."

       "About that-" Sophie started, remembering she still had to say her goodbyes. "I'm leaving. Tonight. I have to join the Black Swan."

       Fitz squeezed her hand. "Then I'm coming too," he said without hesitating.

      Sophie let go. "Are you sure? This is serious. To leave your friends and family- your world- behind, for possibly forever?"

"I wouldn't want to stay in this world much longer anyway. Not with the Neverseen out there, the corrupt Council, and the angering mobs. And if you left...." He trailed off. "As long as I have you, I'll be safe."

Sophie let out the breath she had been holding. "Thank you Fitz," she said in a soft voice.

He smiled. "Of course. We're in this together. We're the strongest Telepaths together, aren't we? The Black Swan couldn't refuse."

Sophie smiled back, not sure what to say now. "It's a nice night," she finally said after several long moments of silence.

Fitz looked up at the stars. "I wanted to enjoy it with you away from everyone and everything."

Sophie took his hand in hers again. "I could teach you how we dance in the Forbidden Cities," she said.

Fitz smiled. "I'd love that."

She placed her free hand on his shoulder as he placed his on her hip. She slowly led him around, lost in his turquoise eyes.

"You never told me what you said," Sophie said at last.

"Huh?"

"To get past my blocking," she clarified.

Fitz smiled, making her heart flutter. "You really want to know?"

Sophie nodded. "Alright, I'll tell you," he said.

He leaned in and whispered in her ear. "I said 'I love you.'"

With those words, he pulled her in for a kiss.

***Author's Note***
Ahhhhhhh I'm sorry this chapter is so short!
And one more chapter....
~InkheadWriter