Page 32 of The Devil and His Goddess

“No,” I argued, but even I heard the lack of conviction in the word.

His lips tipped up ever so slightly as he whispered, “Invite me, Goddess.”

No words came. I couldn’t seem to get my mouth to work as his scent—a fresh ocean breeze—wrapped around me. His smell and closeness short-circuited my brain, making me forget myself. All I could focus on was how a slight tilt of my head would bring his mouth to mine.

Voices approached the room from the hall, and the sound jolted me out of the trance-like state. I sucked in a breath and turned my back on Perseus, tucking some hair behind my ear. I wanted to punch him in the throat as he chuckled softly.

“I’ll be there,” Perseus declared. “Might bring a couple of friends with me since you want it huge.”

Before I could tell him no, a group of dancers came into the room. Perseus met them at the door to tell them good morning, and I just sat there, stewing in my horny aggravation.

“Dobroye utro,” Katerina greeted in Russian as she took the chair on my left.

I smiled. “Morning, beautiful.”

“Can you believe we’re starting today?” Elijah gushed as he took the other seat on my right. He adjusted his navy turtleneck as he stared at the head of the table where Zagan waited. “Woah. What the fuck is Zagan from Sinners Do It Better doing here? Andwhyis he so gorgeous?”

“You listen to their music?” I asked Elijah.

His big dark eyes met mine in shock. “Hell, yeah! They’re amazing.”

“Not to mention hot,” Katerina added with a giggle.

I gave a surprised huff. “I’ll have to look them up later. I’ve never listened to their stuff or seen them. Until here, of course.” I passed a look between my two friends. “By the way, Aiysha and I are having a party tonight. Do you guys want to come?”

“Konechno,” Katerina squealed in Russian at the same time that Elijah said, “Duh!”

I told them the details as the rest of the dancers arrived and found places at the table. With everyone here, Perseus stood at the head of the table by Zagan and Rupert, who had also arrived. He introduced Zagan and explained how he co-wrote the ballet. Listening to the two of them detail the story and meaning of each song made the excitement already swirling around my insides heighten. I could easily picture the dark, romantic, and empowering tale this ballet would create, and I found myself grateful to be a part of something like this.

Perseus went around the room, reminding everyone of the role they had been given. Elijah and I squeezed each other’s hands as our roles were announced as the female and male leads of Psyche and Malak.

“In this story,” Perseus explained to everyone, “the human girl, Psyche, is treated as an outsider. We see her being ridiculed and looked down upon by the town for being different. She loves to dance and to express herself through her body, which is considered taboo in this world. She’s cast out by the village with labels of being wicked, wrong, and broken. They sentence her to live in the Dark Wood where demons and monsters are rumored to lurk.

“Thus begins act two where Malak, the demon prince and future ruler of the Dark Wood, is seen dancing with the creatures of the forest. He spots a distraught Psyche stumbling through his domain, and he’s fascinated by her. He watches over her from a distance as she encounters different creatures, both good and bad. Eventually, he approaches, and as she opens to him, she also rediscovers the love she has for herself and her ability to dance.

“Act three entails the grand celebration where Malak presents Psyche to his court, reborn as a healed and powerful queen for his home. She is welcomed and celebrated for what her own kind despised, finding and loving her place in the dark.”

The other dancers and I applauded the story, and the love for it could practically be felt in the charged-up room. I itched to begin practice for this ballet, and already, I knew this would be one of my favorite roles I’d ever been given. The story alone spoke deeply to me, and I desperately wanted to portray Psyche as Perseus saw her.

Rupert took over, discussing the details of schedules, classes, expectations, and the finer details of production. He provided everyone with recordings of the choreography for us to study in our down time before real rehearsals started on Monday. By the time the meeting was over, I was fully energized, all exhaustion zapped from my body.

“This is going to be an amazing show,” I beamed as Katerina, Elijah, and I gathered our stuff to vacate the room so that theSwan Lakecast could arrive for their meeting.

“I can’t wait to start classes and rehearsals on Monday,” Elijah sighed with a warm smile. He looked down at me and nudged my arm gently. “Can’t wait to fall in love with you.”

I laughed and leaned my head on his shoulder. “Same to you, Malak.”

As the three of us headed to the changing rooms to gather our belongings, we passed Mandi and some of her friends. Katerina was gushing over her dark fairy role in the show, but I briefly stopped hearing her when Mandi met my gaze. Her brown eyes pinched ever so slightly as a cocky smirk lit her mouth in a smile she couldn’t hide.

I knew that look all too well.

It appeared right before you found your bag of make-up missing or discovered your pointe shoes were suddenly ruined.

I held my breath as my heart started to pound. Katerina and I entered the women’s changing room. I quickly went to my locker, and while nothing appeared out of order at first glance, I knew better. I dug around in my ballet bag, and when my fingers brushed wet fabric, my stomach dropped.

I pulled out my favorite pink leotard. A yellowish stain now covered half of the material. My hands shook as the smell of urine hit my nostrils, and the outrage inside me engulfed every single defense I’d built against my teammate. Nothing should’ve surprised me with her anymore, but to actuallypisson my clothes?

I took numerous deep breaths to keep from screaming, and with a quick excuse to Katerina, I grabbed my dance bag and leotard, fleeing for the bathroom.

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