I stepped out of the Yule Ball, surprised by the snowfall outside. I extended my hand, letting the delicate snowflakes land on my palm, feeling the cold seep into my skin. But it was nothing compared to the chill in my heart. "I knew I'd find you here, Walker," a familiar voice said behind me. I didn't need to turn around to know who it was. "I assume you want something from me, Lestrange. What is it this time?" I replied, my tone even.
Eragon came to stand beside me, gazing up at the snowfall. "You always loved watching the snow," he said, his voice low and tender, sending a pang through my chest. I forced myself to focus. "Why are you here? Shouldn't you be with Sophia?" I asked, trying to sound nonchalant.
Eragon's faint smile caught my attention. "Why? Are you jealous?" he asked, his eyes glinning with amusement.
My eyes widened, and I felt a flush rise to my cheeks. I cleared my throat, trying to hide my embarrassment. "No, of course not! You can go with her as much as you want, I don't care," I said, trying to sound convincing. But my panic only intensified as he turned his gaze on me, and I looked away, feeling even more flustered. Yet, at the same time, I yearned for his attention, craving the warmth of his eyes on me.
"Sharmel..." My name on his lips was like a whispered promise, sending a shiver down my spine. It was as if he had woked something deep within me, making me want to look at him, to see the emotions swirling in his eyes. "What...?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper, my heart racing with anticipation.
And then, unexpectedly, he reached out and removed his white gloves, his bare skin brushing against my cheek. The touch sent a jolt through me, making my heart beat faster, my eyes locking onto his. This man, who had once been the object of my disdain, had slowly, insidiously, become so much more. The more we were together, the more I realized that my feelings had shifted, like the subtle turning of the tide.
"I don't understand you, Eragon. I can't read what you truly feel," I said, a bitter smile twisting my lips as I gazed at him, my emotions in turmoil. "I shouldn't feel this way, I hate you for that. Why can't you just leave me alone, stop tormenting me like this..."
My voice trembled, and my eyes began to sting with unshed tears. I tried to hide my vulnerability, to maintain a facade of composure, but it was crumbling, like a sandcastle washed by the waves. Eragon's expression shifted, his eyes filling with a deep sadness. He looked at me as if I was a puzzle he couldn't quite solve, and I felt a pang of regret for my words.
I gently removed his hand from my cheek, turning to leave, but he caught my arm, his grip gentle but firm. "Wait, Sharmel," he whispered, his voice low and husky. I stopped, but I didn't turn to face him, afraid of what I might see.
"My love," he murmured, his breath sending shivers down my spine. He pulled me back, his arms wrapping around me, holding me close. I felt his chest rise and fall against my back, his warmth seeping into my skin. "My love, I torment you with my coldness, but everything has a reason," he whispered, his lips brushing against my ear. His words sent a shiver down my spine, and I relaxed into his arms, letting him hold me, his face buried in the curve of my neck.
"Why did you follow me here?" I whispered, my eyes closed, as his lips brushed against my cheek and neck."I noticed you didn't dance with anyone. Why?" he asked, his voice low and husky, sending shivers down my spine.
"I asked you first," I replied, my hand cradling his cheek, my fingers tangling in his long, white hair. He leaned in, his breath whispering against my skin. "You're so lonely, I wanted to comfort my beloved, to wash all her sorrows and pain away with my kisses and words."
My stomach fluttered, a swarm of butterflies taking flight as I heard the tender words. I felt him smile against my neck, his lips sending shivers down my spine. "I didn't dance with anyone because I was waiting for you," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "I want my first dance to be with you."
He turned me around to face him, his eyes burning with a warm, golden light. "Then my love, may I take your hand to dance with me?" he asked, offering me his hand. I smiled, my heart overflowing with emotion, and placed my hand in his. "Of course..." I whispered, as he pulled me close, and we began to sway to the music.
As our hands touched, the music swelled, and we began to move, our bodies swaying in perfect harmony as we glided through the corridors. The world around us melted away, leaving only the two of us, lost in the magic of the moment. We danced, our footsteps weaving a gentle pattern on the stone floor, our eyes locked on each other. The music carried us outside, into the snow-killed night, where the stars twinkled like diamonds above.
The cold air kissed our skin, but we didn't feel it, too wrapped up in each other's warmth. We twirled and spun, our laughter mingling with the music, as the snowflakes danced around us, like tiny ballerinas, their delicate steps mirroring our own. In that enchanted moment, we were the only two people in the world, our love the only thing that mattered.
We stopped dancing, our eyes locked in a tender gaze. The music faded into the background, and all that remained was the silent language of our hearts. It was as if our souls were speaking, confessing the depth of our emotions.
Eragon's eyes drifted to my lips, and with a gentle urgency, he claimed them in a kiss that left me breathless. I melted into his arms, my own wrapping around his neck as we deepened the kiss. He pulled away, his lips tracing a path across my cheek, forehead, and neck, as if trying to memorize every inch of me.
"I love you," he whispered, his voice sending shivers down my spine. My heart swelled, and I felt tears pring to my eyes. "I love you too..." I whispered back, my voice trembling with emotion.
But as I gazed into his eyes, reality crashed in. I pulled away, a sense of dread creeping in. "I love you too... but Eragon, I'm not yours. Your parents will never accept me, they will not accept a cursed witch and half-breed like me." Eragon's face contorted in protest, but I silenced him with a gentle touch. "I don't want your life to be ruined because of me... I-" My words were cut short by a harsh tone, echoing from the dark corridor.
We turned to see Messilena, her eyes cold and piercing as she took in the scene before her. Her gaze lingered on me, and I felt a shiver run down my spine. I knew I wasn't welcome here, not by her or anyone else. I pulled away from Eragon, my eyes welling up with tears. I turned and ran, my vision blurring as I fled back into the castle. I stumbled through the halls, my heart heavy with sorrow, until I reached a secluded alcove.
I collapsed onto a nearby bench, my body shaking with sobs as I buried my face in my hands. The tears streamed down my face, hot and relentless, as I let out all the pain and fear I had been holding back. "Why can't I just be enough?" I whispered, my voice muffled by my hands. "Why can't I just be loved for who I am?" The darkness seemed to swallow me whole, and I let it, too exhausted to fight it. I cried until there were no more tears left, I hesitated, my hand hovering over my stomach. A faint smile touched my lips, tinged with sadness. "I'm worried that once you're born, you might be like me... but even if that happens, I'll protect you. From now on, I'll stay away from your father. Once I'm graduated from Hogwarts, I'll leave everything behind – my old self and my past..."
I wiped away the remnants of my tears, composing myself, and slowly made my way back to the ball.
