Seth decided that he'd had enough surprises to last him a lifetime.
His heart was still hammering in his chest as he watched Samuel grin and croon on the balcony, establishing himself back in the Depths as their supreme leader. The blackout of the lights had been stupid and unnecessary. A touch of drama that Samuel couldn't part with – and one that might have ignited a fatal fight if the residents thought they were being attacked. It didn't matter that Samuel had already been captured by Alex back on the lake in the Azure. He would never acknowledge the deal he'd made with them to save himself – not if it showed a hint of weakness on his part.
A myriad of glowing purple lights swept around the room, a spotlight settling on Samuel's tall figure. He waved to the cheering Dwellers, a scarlet cloak draped around his shoulders.
'Thank you,' he called, nodding graciously. 'Thank you for such a warm welcome back. This can only be a good omen of things to come; of our new alliance with the Azure.'
Seth watched Samuel's eyes settle on Flynn, and the ghost of a smirk appeared on Samuel's lips. Seth couldn't help but notice Megan stiffen. He was becoming hyper-aware of her movements, of the tiny changes in her stance, her smile.
Samuel reached for a glass behind him, and thrust it high into the air.
'To us!' he yelled. 'To our union! To tonight!'
The Ash Hall erupted into a frenzy of cheers, and Samuel drained his glass. A horde of Inflamers moved towards him, and he gestured for them to join him at his private table.
The music swelled up again, a lazy, soaring melody. The Dwellers returned to their dancing and drinking, but Megan was still staring up at the balcony, a scowl twisting her features. Seth couldn't help but watch her for a moment. There was something so entrancing about that face, in the shrewd judgement flashing behind her eyes. He took a breath, and hardened his resolve. He reached for her small palm, and led her to the dancefloor.
Megan blinked, and Seth fought the flush rising in his cheeks at the soft feel of her skin. Scrambling for something, anything to say, he nodded up at the balcony and muttered, 'Show-off.'
Megan hadn't pulled her hand away. A thrill of satisfaction riveted through him as she spoke. 'I used to think that Patrick owned this title. But he's literally the most dramatic person I've ever met.'
Seth's lips quirked. 'And that's saying something.'
Her eyes slipped to his, and his heart nearly skittered right out from beneath his ribs. Those eyes – the colour of dark coffee, vulnerable and unyielding all at once. He wanted to bring his face to hers, feel those long eyelashes brush against his cheek. The music swirled around them, and he mustered up enough courage to gently reach out towards her. His hand rested gently on the curve of her waist. Seth's stomach was in knots as he realized he was holding her – really holding her, one hand in hers, the other touching the silky material of her dress. Her skin radiated warmth through the fabric.
He began to sway them to the music, completely out of time with the frantic beat thudding throughout the Depths. Not one part of him cared; he had Megan front of him, and it was impossible to focus on anything else.
'We look ridiculous,' Megan finally said, glancing at the writhing bodies around them.
Seth hadn't taken his eyes off her. 'What do you mean?'
'This is like... how you slow-dance at prom.'
'Maybe I didn't get to slow-dance at prom.'
'Maybe I didn't get to go to prom.' He watched a faint flush rise in her cheeks, and wondered if it was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen. 'I suppose this can be my prom. With you.'
Seth had to bite his lip to keep his face from splitting into a grin. He'd hold her here all night, if that's what she wanted. He'd dance with her until the party ended, until the Dwellers crashed out where they stood. His grip tightened on her waist as he said, 'You look like a prom queen.'
She shrugged, and the waves of her red hair fell over one shoulder. They were like tendrils of flame, glinting in the low light. Seth resisted the urge to stroke it back from her collarbone, and focused on the words falling from her mouth instead. 'I always wanted to be. I never got the chance to go before – well, before this happened.'
He could feel his face shifting into a frown, but he had to ask. He spun her around as they danced, forcing the question out. 'If you don't mind me asking... how did this happen? How did you... die?'
A light went out in her eyes.
A flood of regret tore through Seth, and he wanted to drag back the words, force the light to blossom again in those lovely almond eyes. But she was already speaking, already telling him something that he wasn't sure she'd told anyone before.
'I... I was being chased. For a long time. He didn't... he never gave up.' Her voice was barely a whisper. 'Said I was a liar for the things I told the police about.'
Anguish cut through him. 'Megan – you don't have to-'
'It's fine,' she said, her voice dead. 'He got me one night. I was walking home from school after dance practice. My mom couldn't pick me up for some reason, so I started walking. It was – I don't really remember the details. He dragged me into an alley, then I hit my head hard.' She swallowed, her throat bobbing slightly. 'He... hurt me... like he used to. But I have no idea if I'd died before or after he'd done it.'
He couldn't look at her. Not for the horrendous crime someone had inflicted on her, but for making him recount it for him now. They were at a party. They were supposed to be dancing, having fun. Giving her the prom she never had. 'I am so sorry, Megan.'
She shook her head, her gaze already hardening. 'It's fine. Honestly. No-one's fault but his. Took me a while to realize, but...'
Seth forced himself to look at her. His eyes were burning with the ferocity of his stare. 'You are the bravest person I know.'
She looked down, then back up at him. There was an unevenness in her breathing, as if she'd ran from the Pit to be here. The music had slowed into a steady beat, but they'd stopped dancing a while ago. Seth just stared at her; at the beauty that radiated from her in waves. She was perfect, and she had no idea. Thought that she was broken somehow – that what other people had done reflected badly on her. Seth wanted to hunt down whoever had hurt her and end their miserable existence across a week of pain. He didn't care that he was supposed to be an Azure resident, and not some sadistic fifth-ringer. For her, he'd do it.
Her pale skin gleamed under the violet lights. He needed to touch it, to feel the softness of her. Megan was made of iron and diamonds. But in this moment, she'd melted away that steel exterior. He wanted to caress the fragile skin beneath, let her know how beautiful she was.
He could hear his breath catch as he pulled her towards him. She seemed to arch into his touch, and a rush of fierce joy tore through him. His fingers rested on the warm skin of her exposed back, and he had to force himself not to think about how it would feel to slowly drag them down her spine, her waist, her hips. She watched him carefully, her eyes flickering between his eyes and mouth.
He leaned forward, his lips coming to rest by her ear. 'You are beautiful,' he told her. 'And you deserve to have someone tell you that every day.'
Seth refrained from telling her that he wanted to be that person. If she didn't want this – if she didn't want him – it was her choice.
For a second, Megan's eyes narrowed. Then they glinted with a hint of mischief, and she looked directly at him. 'So tell me.'
His heart leaped out of his chest. And then her lips were on his, and his mouth began to work against her own. Softly. So softly, like he'd break her if he pushed too hard. She melted against him, her hands entwining around his neck. Seth reached up to gently tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, and she made a quiet noise of content, becoming molten and pliable in his hands.
He didn't think he'd ever be able to stop kissing her.
She fit perfectly against him, two clicking puzzle pieces. Reluctantly, he drew back, appraising her reaction. Her eyes were bright, her cheeks flushed. He fought the crooked smile he wanted to give her, and leaned in to press another kiss to the corner of her mouth. Another one at her jaw.
Megan gripped his hands tightly in her own.
'Why,' he said, his heart thudding in his ribcage, 'have I waited so long to do that?'
He watched her take a breath, steadying herself. A flash of impishness danced in her eyes. 'Because I scare you too much.'
The look she gave him was too much to take. He reached for her again, this time a little more impatiently. His lips brushed against hers, and she sighed against his mouth. His voice was barely a murmur. 'Well, from now on... I want you to scare me all the time.'
Her answering grin was enough confirmation. The music swirled around them, and Seth lost himself in the melody, in the feel of the flame-haired girl in his arms.