~yulemas morning~
"Morning, Celaena," Philippa said as she waltzed into Celaena's room. "Happy Yulemas!" She heaved a massive sack of something onto her bed. "These," she said, pointing at the bag and staring at it in disgust, "were left outside your room for you. A certain someone told me to give them to you when you woke up."
Celaena felt her cheeks heating up, already knowing who the generous gift was from. "Do you know what it is?"
Philippa shrugged and handed it to her, Celaena gratefully accepting it. She opened it and an involuntary girlish squeal came out of her mouth.
"Sweets!"
Philippa chuckled. "Don't eat all of them, now. Your teeth will be stained by the ceremony!"
Celaena grinned sheepishly and ushered Philippa off, staring at the bag in unrestrained delight.
There was a knock at the door.
Celaena smiled, feeling butterflied rise in her stomach. Dorian Havilliard.
"Happy Yulemas, Celaena," he said softly and winked.
****
As soon as she emerged from the entrance of the halls archway, Dorian couldn't take his eyes off her. She was seeming to steal the hearts of many other people, too.
They didn't know who she was, though. But, Dorian could have known no matter what facade she wore.
She was dressed in a gown of silvery hues and shades of blue that looked iridescent in the light. Her corset was embedded with stones of all sizes, and her skirt danced with her every movement.
She stole the show, just as she always did.
****
Celaena relished the attention she was receiving. She felt like a princess. She smirked at the thought.
Before Celaena looked at anyone else, her eyes were immediately pulled to a figure in grey, standing by the drinks table.
Sam.
He lifted his gaze to meet hers. Nothing was shining in his eyes. No light, no love, no anger.
He was emotionless. Celaena would have preferred anything to that.
Eventually, she saw Dorian Havilliard, and she couldn't help but smile.
His beautiful raven hair was pushed back behind his ears, with his silver crown delicately placed on his head. He wore a pair of silver dress pants and an emerald satin shirt underneath his ebony cloak. It was hard to look away from him.
Celaena descended down the stairs to the floor, and people began to lose interest in her and wandered off to wherever they were before.
Dorian strode towards her, bowing as she tracked his action with her striking eyes.
He took her hand in his, kissing it gently. "Lady Lillian, may I have this dance?"
Celaena bowed and inclined her head daintily. "It would be my honour."
****
Sam watched from the outside. Celaena felt so far away from him now. He knew she would never come back.
Sam swore under his breath. I shouldn't have been as forward with her, he thought. Goddamnit, you fool!
So, as he stood at the sideline, feeling as much like a shadow as ever, he watched the prince and the assassin dance, as he had once done with Celaena. He watched them twine around each other, moving like they were destined to be together.
Sam downed the rest of his tonic in one gulp. He looked over his shoulder and saw a woman with shining black hair and a golden skirt already looking at him. He sighed and walked over to her.
****
Celaena felt like the whole world had slowly petered away. She looked into Dorian's alluring sapphire eyes as he looked into her own.
At some point during the dance, Celaena tore her gaze away to see Sam. He was flirting with some other woman. Celaena tried to not feel hurt. Had he moved on already.
Celaena, you were the one who told him you had moved on, she mentally chided herself. He deserves to be happy. Don't think he will forever love you.
Sam.
She looked back at Dorian, and she felt butterflies rise in her stomach.
Sam.
****
"Thank you for that, Celaena," Dorian said as he stopped by her door when the ball died down. "I enjoyed that dance immensely." He, once again, kissed her hand before dropping it at her side.
Celaena sighed and leaned against the door, assessing Dorian. "Yes, it seemed you enjoyed it, maybe a little too much."
Dorian laughed, unrestrained and free. He walked a little closer to Celaena, looking at her through half closed eyes. "Maybe I did," he whispered, bringing his hand up to trace Celaena's jaw, making her heart thump so loudly in her chest she was sure Dorian could hear it. "But I don't regret it."
They looked at each other for a moment; a moment that felt like eternity.
Eventually, their lips met, and their hearts raced and waltzed to the rhythm of love.
Celaena broke away first, gently pushing him.
She smiled slightly. "Good night, Dorian."
He stepped back. "Good night, Celaena."
Celaena closed the door and released a massive breath. She slumped against the closed door, struggling to keep the smile from her face.
Sam.
The smile was wiped from her face. Elation and carelessness was replaced with regret and confusion.
Sam.
YOU ARE READING
After Everything
Fantasía"it was like a dance. a dance of silver and blades and speed. they danced around one another, moving in time, as if it had been rehearsed a hundred times before. they fought like old lovers, as if they knew the others next moves like it was written...
