Chapter 49: Chapter 49

As I stood on the stage for receiving an award, I couldn't stop smiling. It felt like a massive thing for me. The murmurs and whispers had stopped as I stood on the podium next to Yama. He was beaming at me for beating him.

Persephone was waiting for Hades. They both need to announce the winners. Even Lukas was nowhere to be found. I thought that hearing the announcement he would come back. I shifted on my feet, feeling all eyes on me.

The shuffling sound from the gate made me lookup. Hades and Lukas were walking together. I let out a sigh. What took them so long?

"Finally" Yama snickered beside me.

Persephone whispered something to Hades as soon as he stood next to her. It sounded like a threat from the look on her face. Lukas stood in the front row, waving at me.

The Queen of Underworld gave an ending speech and all the highlights. I was holding my breath, waiting for the award to be announced. Lukas was grinning at me as if he knew exactly what I was thinking.

"The hot dog competition is always tough when you have Yama on the seat!" Everyone laughed at that.

"But soon to be Queen Miss Talia beat him!" Lukas cheered as soon as my name was announced.

I held my head high as Yama walked towards me with the trophy. As soon as I touched the golden award, I knew it was worth it. My eyes searched for Lukas.

"I'm proud of you" Lukas mouthed to me.

***

The Ball was a few hours away, and I was a nervous wreck, thinking about everything that could go wrong. It's natural, alright. Was anything terrible going to happen? I had so many thoughts in my head that I didn't even register the fact that Persephone entered the room.

"You are nervous, aren't you?" She nudged my arm.

I tried to stare in her direction, but it would mess up my hair. I simply hummed.

"I told you it's nothing. All you have to do is walk in high heels and not trip."

"That doesn't sound easy."

"It is. Besides, my hairdresser will be at your side as a chaperone."

"But I'm too old for a chaperone."

Persephone laughed, pulling a chair in front of me, "It's a formality. Everyone gets a chaperone."

I felt my face flame. How did I not know that? It's Lukas fault for not telling me anything.

"Finished." The hairdresser pulled back, and I breathed out a sigh of relief. Finally.

"No wonder Lukas is always staring at you." I blushed at Persephone's comment.

"Shut up." I rolled my eyes, checking my hair in the mirror. Nothing can be out of sorts Because it was my debut ball.

A low whistle escaped my lips as I stared at my hair. The hairdresser had pulled my hair into a little hairdo which sat on the right side of the neck.

Persephone thought it would be a good idea for me to pin fresh blooms to the bun. That's why she sent some of them in advance.

I walked away from the mirror and smiled at the hairdresser, "It's wonderful. Thank you so much!"

Persephone giggled, "See I told you! My girl has magic in her fingers."

The hairdresser blushed and shook her head. I stared at Persephone.

"Seriously, how do I look?"

She stared at me for a few seconds before nodding her head.

"Wonderful!"

"You didn't have to pause like that" I twisted my lips. It almost made me think that I might have messed up.

Just then, my eyes fell on the plastic box she was holding. How come I did not see that before?

"What are you holding?"

Persephone widened her eyes, "Oh! I almost forgot. It's for you."

She handed me the corsage. My mouth parted open at the bright flower staring back at me. Did she bring that solely for me, or was it another tradition?

"It's from your mate," She said, an amused smile on her face.

"What?"

"Lukas said he got it this afternoon. He was going to come inside, but I sent him back to the ballroom."

"You're evil" I shook my head as I ripped the plastic box.

"I'm trying to do you a favour."

"How so?"

"Imagine the look on his face when he'll see you walking down the stairs in this gown."

She had a point, though.

"Whatever" I handed the corsage to her so that she can pin it on my wrist.

***

Persephone exited my room because she had to be the first one in the ballroom.

I walked down the stairs with the hairdresser silently. Whispers echoed around the hall, but I did not lift my head.

The demons were arriving through the entrance. I tried not to stare at everyone who passed through the doorway. But I couldn't help but worry about Lukas. Where was he?

From the corner of my eyes, I noticed Li Changying. She was a beauty. She was adorned in different types of jewels; her entire body was covered in glitter on top of that. I suddenly felt conscious of my attire, ran my palms through the gown.

The sound of the door creaking averted my eyes. Lukas stepped inside the ballroom.

Lukas was gorgeous. I could feel the breath in my throat quickly dry out at the sight of him. His suit was beautiful, a giant golden dragon embroidered on the left side. The design stood out in the lighting of the ballroom.

He stood next to me.

I noticed that it was time for another of Hades speech. His booming voice caught the attention of every demon. As soon as he finished with his address, applause rang out from the ballroom. I tuned out half of it because I was thinking of a thousand different things.

"You wore it" Lukas suddenly hummed, breaking me out of my thoughts. Before I could ask him, he wrapped his hands around mine. He placed a kiss onto the back of my hand.

I blushed, "Yeah. It's beautiful."

He cooed over my hand, sending soft vibrations through it. I noticed that Hades and Persephone slipped on the dance floor together. Everyone was joining them.

"May I have a dance?" Lukas stared at me, stretching his left hand out slightly. I bit my lip.

"I am wearing extra high heels today; you will have broken toes by the end of it."

He chuckled, "I don't mind."

I slipped my hand in his.

***

"You are the most beautiful person in this room tonight, Cara" I heard him whisper in my ear before dipping me down.

I scoffed, my folding my lips together, "You don't have to lie."

"Why do I have to lie?" He narrowed his eyes as he pulled me back up. His hands tightened on my waist.

"I don't know."

Lukas made a face, "And yet you accuse me of lying"

I bit on my lips, my eyes roaming around the ballroom only to see everyone dancing around us. Hades and Persephone were in the centre of it all of course.

"Because everyone looks so pretty here."

"Not to me. You are the only prettiest one here."

My eyes met his, and I knew it was a losing battle to fight, so I gave up.

"Thank you," I whispered, my cheeks reddened. Whenever Lukas complimented me, which was more often, it made my stomach swoon. He's always staring at me, with a glint in his eyes.

I stared at our moving feet, noticing how they quickly fell into a rhythm. As the song changed into something slower, Lukas pulled me closer. It felt impossible for me to breath at the way our chests were pressed against each other.

He met my eyes, swaying us lightly, and I parted my mouth open. Suddenly the air around us felt hot. Goosebumps prickled my skin, and I couldn't look away from his face.

His breathing flared, and he leaned forward. I shivered as his cold lips touched my earlobe. My hands clenched against the lapels of his jacket.

"I want to kiss you" Lukas hummed in my ears, his arms still wrapped around me. They were loose, and I could easily break free, but I did not want to.

I wanted to feel his lips moving against mine. No matter how much I tried to deny the undeniable attraction between us, I was weak to his charms. There was nothing that was stopping me for willingly submitting to my desires. No one was going to judge us because they already think we are mates.

I swallowed the lump formed in my throat, "I won't stop you."

He stilled at my words. Was he expecting me to stop him? As he raised his head towards me, I licked my lips.

"Talia..."

"Are you sure about it?"

"Yes more than anything" I breathed, snaking my arms around his neck.

Lukas softly stroked my cheek, his thumb cold than usual. I leaned into his touch, clenching my eyes shut. He inched forward, closing the distance between us. As I felt his breath on my face, I froze.

With his hand cradling my face, he crashed his lips against mine.

***