Page 25 of Dark Angel

“I try on the rare occasion,” giving her an effortless shrug, “you look very handsome yourself, Kora.”

She rolls her eyes at him, prompting a laugh from Matthew.

A commotion on the other side of the ballroom catches all of their attention. They all look over to see Lawrence being escorted out by Robert and Percy. Kora looks at Matthew, giving his hand a tight squeeze with her own. His body seems stiff with rage, yet his face remains angelic and soft, as if he’s trying his best to mask every emotion streaming through him.

“Matthew, it will be all right.” She says just audible for only him to hear.

He nods and looks down at her. Kora’s the one soul he’s always able to confide in, yet he can’t bring himself to tell her about his father’s abusiveness and constant intoxication. It’ll be too much for Kora, so Matthew needs to remain strong and not let it get to him. “He’ll make his way home. Probably just needs some sleep with all the work he’s done with recently.”

That is a blatant lie.

His father hasn’t worked for the Ascendancy in years-not since his mother passed away from childbirth.

“Sure.” Kora says simply, knowing that Matthew is lying, but she doesn’t want to press him right now.

“Would you perhaps like to dance with me, Miss Hamilton?” Matthew suggests.

“Certainly, Mr Blackwell-” She gives a small cringe, realising he has the same name as his father, “Matthew.”

“I heard it as well.” He says as his face pinches like her own.

Grinning, Matthew takes Kora’s hand in his rough one and leads her out into the centre of the floor amongst the other dancing couples. Holding her hand in his, the other secures around her waist as the music picks up around them.

The polka is a fast-paced, upbeat dance-one that Kora has never danced properly. Her feet stumble as she tries to keep up with him, watching the other girls twirling nearby like graceful ballerinas while she moves like a sack of potatoes.

Matthew tries to keep himself from bursting out in laughter but fails. His shoulders shake as he leans closer to her cheek, whispering into her ear, “Don’t worry, I am a terrible dancer as well.”

Kora’s mouth opens in surprise, and she pinches his shoulder, causing Matthew to yelp out. “So, youarecalling me a terrible dancer?” Her voice rising louder over the string instruments echoing throughout the room.

Matthew just lets out a small, low chuckle. “So what if we are terrible dancers? Does one really need to perfect the waltz to be accepted into society? I certainly don’t see the significance, and I am sure most of the Ascendancy agrees with me,” he points out. “Perhaps we are dancing perfectly and everyone else is offbeat.”

Kora just grins, showing off the small outline of her dimpled cheek. “You are a terrible liar, Matthew.” Her voice sounding amused.

“Two things I am terrible at then. Dancing and lying, but does that make me a bad person?” His emerald eyes narrowing at hers.

She sees the flash of sarcasm lining his smirk. “You are not a bad person, Matthew. Just misunderstood.”

Kora’s known him all of her life, and never once thought he wasn’t worthy of being her friend. He’s the one person everyone can rely on.

His shoulders twitch. Head tilting to one side slightly as a brow arches. “Misunderstood? I am not a Latin book of ancient fighting stances, Kora.”

“I didn’t mean it like that!” she says with a giggle. “I mean, if people think you are bad simply because of things you don’t excel in, then we should all be considered bad. Nobody can be good if they have all done one thing wrong in their lives, or don’t succeed in everything they set out to do.”

His eyebrows jerk up in response. A smirk growing in his mouth as his mind turns. “I like that,” he admits, nodding his head slightly. “I guess we are all bad, then.”

Kora swears she can see a twinkle in his green eyes as he grins.

They continue dancing together until the song ends. Bowing, Matthew escorts her back to their group of friends who are mingling in a corner of the room.

Lewis is sipping on his drink. Daisy is talking about the stew her mother cooked last night, which she despised, and Alice is chewing on her already nibbled fingernails.

Kora listens to Daisy talking for a bit, about how the supposed rabbit stew had turnips and rosemary in it-two things that Daisy detests greatly. Kora knew this from the time Daisy was bedridden with scarlet fever and Kora cooked her homemade soup. Daisy, although delirious from the fever, still complained about how much she had hated the rosemary and turnips. Kora knew she wasn’t trying to be mean, but it hurt her after Kora made an entire pot worth just for Daisy.

Daisy stops to take a breath and Matthew gives an overly loud exhale, “Finally, I thought you would never stop talking about this salty bowl of evilness. Grow up Daisy and eat your turnips.” Patting Daisy on the shoulder as she glares at him for interrupting her story. Matthew ignores this, turning to the rest of the group. “Has anyone seen Jordan yet?”

“Why? Do you have a fondness for him?” Daisy questions with a sly smirk.

Matthew gives her a cynical look, “Oh yes, I just can’t wait to plant a kiss right on his cheekbone-be serious Daisy.” His voice is sardonic.

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