The girl who chased the moon

Chapter 3

The ball room was elegantly lit and the orchestra was playing a smooth and gracing melody, the violins piercing notes tugging on the strings of my heart, touching my soul. Carlisle was at my left, Brendan on my right, they had linked arms with me as we entered the main room. 

A glistening chandelier hung above us and two footmen offer us drinks, Brendan held two glasses, clearly taking one for me. Carlisle released my arm and went to talk to a group of less-than-human looking people at the side of the room. Large, opulent windows looked out onto the western sky, which was illuminated by stars and the gas lit Paris streets. 

I sipped the champagne gingerly, my tongue tingling from the sensation. Brendan leaned down, whispering in my ear, his breath dancing across my skin, "You look beautiful"

I shivered inwardly, "Thank you" I murmured, my hand resting only lightly on his arm. He squeezed my hand lightly, and for some reason, I reluctantly returned the pressure, inside I was a mess of emotions, most predominant at that moment, guilt. 

I don't know why I felt it, I could not explain it, but I felt it, clear and pressing none the less. Inside, though I would never admit, I longed for Felix. I missed his touch, the way his voice made me weak with desire. In short, I missed him. The man I had been tasked to kill, the one I was supposed to despise, the man who I...

Brendan interrupted my thoughts, "do you want to dance?"

Setting my glass down, I smiled brightly at him to convince him nothing was amiss, "I'd love too"

He grinned and took my hand, leading me onto the busy dance floor. A Beethoven piece began, I don't know how I knew it was Beethoven, it just struck me as his sort of piece. We twirled around the floor, my dress spinning around us, the stake on my ankle pressing into my leg. "Are you okay?" he asked me, "you seem...distracted"

"I'm fine" I assured him, "honestly"

He frowned, and I don't think he believed me but he didn't question it, he had a tight grip on my hands, and proved to be a strong lead, dragging me around the dance floor, I had no doubt I looked less than graceful to say the least. After the final cadence, I curtsied and then muttered about going to get a drink. His hand darted out and grabbed my arm, "What?" I snapped, it came out harsher than I intended, but I was irritated by his concern, it was coming from the right place, but unnecessary and quite frankly, annoying. 

His eyes darkened and he gripped me tighter, "Brendan let go" I said, trying to wrench my arm free, "Brendan, you're hurting me"

His eyes widened and he released me immediately, apologising under his breath. I turned and picked up a glass of champagne off one of the silver trays. The cool, slightly bitter taste was refreshing, and left me filled with a warm glow. 

I placed down the glass when I had finished, across the room I spied Brendan talking to two young girls, they were pretty. For some reason, jealousy reared it's ugly head and I was filled with black hatred for the girls, who were now laughing at something he said. I stormed out onto the balcony, my fingers clenching around the stone wall. It almost crumbled  beneath my fingers, a testament to my own strength. 

Slowly, my rage subsided, though I was still spitting at the thought of Brendan holding one of those girls, laughing with them, loving them...

I could not understand, it was not the same pull I felt towards Felix, but there was no denying my attraction and fondness of Brendan. Most of the time he was kind, loyal and helpful. 

Like a puppy, sneered a bitter voice inside me. Though I knew it wasn't true, but seeing those girls flirting with him, and him enjoying their attentions, it...well, it wasn't pleasant.