Page 37 of Dark Angel

Daisy insisted on Kora and Clarence attending the intimate event this evening. Kora was uncertain, since she doesn’t know the Carter’s as well as the others, but Kora agreed to join along with her brother.

They all sit around the roaring fireplace. Kora sits beside Matthew in her off-white dress covered in dainty blue flowers threaded through the lightweight material. The bodice is tight and low, showing off half of her smaller chest.

Daisy situated herself between Clarence and Levi Pinecress on the larger sofa. Her peach toned dress striking against her darker skin. Brunette curls dancing around her shoulders as she laughs.

Valarie, Lewis and Melody are sitting opposite them. Valarie looks gorgeous in a long purple dress covered in gleaming beads. She welcomed Kora and Clarence by bringing them both a glass of champagne and gushing over Kora’s outfit. She certainly has an interest in fashion.

Kora’s gaze flickers over to Jordan, who sits in a light blue armchair on his own. One leg tucked onto his knee, sporting dark trousers, a black shirt with the sleeves rolled casually up to his elbows and golden hair neatly fluffed. Looking like he’s dressed in shadows;Kora feels her nerves sparking to life again. A grin pulls into his lips, deepening the dimples in his cheeks, which brings heat to Kora’s insides.

“That wasn’t my fault,” Matthew protests loudly, pointing a finger at Lewis accusingly. “He can’t throw a ball properly.”

Lewis’ mouth opens as he sits forward on the lounge. “I can throw a ball. I just wasn’t concentrating on you.” Arguing back at him.

“Oh, we know whoyouwere concentrating on.” Daisy’s bubbly giggle sounding the room once again.

They all look to see Valarie blushing beside Lewis, who grinds his jaw together. “I was looking at a bird.” He blanches.

“Is that what we are calling girls now?” Levi chimes in.

Clarence and Jordan both snort a laugh.

“It was a goldfinch. One of my favourites.” Lewis affirms all of his friends.

Matthew shakes his head at him. “I can’t believe you were studying a bird when you could have been staring at the lovely Miss Carter here.” His hand lifting to Valarie, who leans back into the lounge, hoping to be swallowed up by the cushions.

“Ugh, you’re all insufferable.” Grumbles Lewis.

He gets up, taking his empty glass and going over to the small bar cart in the corner of the room. Clarence and Levi join him, refilling their drinks and talking away from the rest of the group.

Kora takes a sip of her drink.

“Daisy, did you ever end up finishing that book I lent you?” Valarie asks, changing the topic.

The two of them dive into a discussion of Valarie’s favourite book. It’s intense, and Kora gets up from her chair to refill her glass when Jordan stops her. “Would you like some more?”

He stands from his armchair, an empty glass in his hand as well.

“Yes, that would be great.” Kora’s lips slightly parted as she takes in the closeness of his handsome features.

He nods his head towards the door. “Come with me then. I’ll get us the good stuff.” Lowering his tone for only her to hear.

She follows him out of the parlour and into the dining room of the Carter manor. It’s a large room with a long, dark wooden table set for eight people. A setting is placed at each seat, adorning crystal glasses, expensive china plates, and cloth napkins. A large oil painting of a landscape hangs on the wall between two oil lamps, burning brightly. Kora can’t stop herself from gazing at it.

The small brushstrokes blending together harmoniously to create a warm dawning sky overlooking a striking established city with large Gothic buildings, giving it a studious feel. Autumnal foliage and golden streetlamps surround the stone structures, with hills blurring into the background.

She can sense Jordan hovering behind her before he speaks up. “That’s Oxford University. It’s right near the Ascendancy building. My father adores this picture. I think that’s why he wanted it hung, here so he can stare at it each time he eats now that we no longer live there.”

Her eyes continue to take in every detail of the artwork before she turns her attention onto him. His nearness makes her skin shiver all over. Handing her a full flute of champagne, she takes it, their fingers grazing gently.

“Thank you,” her voice is quieter than normal, “and the painting is beautiful, so I can see why it’s a favourite.”

She’s not usually this nervous around anyone, but there’s something about Jordan that makes her anxious. Not in a bad way, it’s more of a curious, unfamiliar way, as if he takes the breath from her lungs with just one glance in her direction.

His face softens as the corners of his mouth curl upwards, “You’re welcome.” He almost whispers in response.

Kora feels her cheeks colour as her stomach burns once again. The sparking sensation invigorating her senses.

“I can show you some others if you’d like?”

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