Page 99 of Between Earth and Eternity
But that’s not entirely true. Everything has changed and yet nothing at all. I am still the last winner of the Lottery, the woman who is outspoken and gets into trouble, who almost died.
My soul is battered and bruised, but I feel that hope inside me too. I guess I’m not alone in that.
“At least not for me and you,” I add. If I was compelled to tell him the truth, he may look at me with anger rather than hope. My mind has changed about someone else entirely, someone I hadn’t expected at all.
“Skyler, just give me another chance.” He takes hold of my hand, but a shadow passes over us like an eclipse. He drops it immediately.
“Is everything okay over here?”
Vallen is the embodiment of grace, with a pull much like the moon on the waves of the seas. The added factors of wealth and power make him nothing short of godlike. His gaze travels up my body, taking in every inch, and I swear I lean into his stare slightly.
“We’re fine, Mr. Mannox,” Payson says with a hateful gravel.
“I wasn’t asking you, Mr. Reed.”
I can’t help the small smile that spreads over my lips. Vallen’s eyes light up, hiding a smirk as Payson practically turns red beside me but doesn’t say a word.
“Miss Andrews, care to join me?” He holds out his hand, and I stare at it for a moment.
I should deny him, but all I can think about is what he said in the library weeks ago.“But, honey, you couldn’t ignore me if you tried.”And I don’t want to.
It’s unkind, but I hope this is the final nail in the coffin for any hope Payson is holding on to. A woman should only have to say it once. I place my hand in Vallen’s and don’t look back. I take in his attire: a dark blue, almost black suit paired with a black tie and shirt, a small chain connecting the pocket and the lapel of his jacket.
“I don’t know how to dance,” I admit as he pulls me to the middle of the dance floor.
“Just follow my lead.” He catches my eye, like he knows exactly what I am thinking about. That night at the club when he showed me what to do.
He puts my hand on his shoulder and clasps the other in his palm. Then he poses me, placing a hand on the small of my back, his fingers grazing the ends of my hair. I’m grateful for my long sleeves so he can’t see the goosebumps.
“This is a lot different from the last time we danced, isn’t it?” he asks.
I glance around to find that practically everyone is staring at us. “I’m surprised you remember,” I say, continuing to survey the room. Ori is dancing with a man I don’t know, but she is smiling and relaxed.
“I could never forget that. Ever.” He drops his voice lower. “I dream about it.”
He shouldn’t be allowed to say things like that, especially in front of a group of people. My cheeks aren’t the only things that feel like they’re on fire.
“Good to know,” is my only response because speaking suddenly seems difficult. The orchestra transitions into another melody, and Vallen effortlessly moves us in time.
“I can’t decide who is more upset with me for stealing you for a dance—Payson or Kol,”
he says, trying to hide his smile.
“I totally forgot about Kol.”
“He may be even more pathetic than my brother. I didn’t think that was possible.”
“Well, that’s something we can agree on.” He smiles at that. “And I’d bet my life that every woman in the room is jealous you chose me for a dance.”
His smile fades, hazel eyes darkening with something far more serious. “As far as I’m concerned, you’re the only woman here.” His gaze flickers from my eyes to my mouth.
It feels like a strike of lighting, knowing that while everyone watches him, he watches me.
“How did you know about my music?” I ask when I find the courage to speak after that declaration.
He doesn’t miss a beat in answering. “Like I said, I have my own methods for uncovering the truth about people, like how you caused quite the spectacle on launch day when they caught you trying to smuggle it onto Zenith.”
Skyler Andrews from a few months ago would have been annoyed by that display of power and influence, but now, I can’t feel anything but grateful that he not only cared enough to learn about me but returned something priceless to my possession.
