Dream

Chapter 11

When they had arrived at the hotel, in the heart of the New Orleans' French Quarter, the party was in full swing. Zebadiah came around to pass his car keys off to the valet and help Lucy out of the car, and as she stepped out on to the pavement there were a few flashes from photographers. She hadn't thought about publicity. Zebadiah gave her little time to worry about it as he put his arm around her waist and she forgot about everything but his touch.

They entered the hotel and he instantly had people approach him who wanted to introduce people and be introduced. He turned to Lucy and she gave a quick shake of her head as he tried to pull her forward to introduce her.

"Don't you want to be introduced?" he asked softly in her ear so that only she could hear.

"No, I would rather remain a mystery, please." Her silver eyes meet his dark ones, and he considered her request for a moment before giving a nod of agreement.

Lucy did her best to avoid eye contact as she looked over at the dancers on the floor and then at the décor. It was a beautiful setting and if there hadn't been so many people there she probably would have enjoyed herself, but as it stood now, all she could see was a mass of people threating her peace of mind.

She should have said no, she shouldn't have come.

As if sensing her unease, Zebadiah pulled her close and wrapped his arm around her, resting his hand on her hip once more as her entire body rested against his. In that moment, she once again forgot about everything but him, she could feel his strong and steady heartbeat and she concentrated on that, letting his conversations wash over her as they moved around the room, oblivious to the impact she was making on the room, but she wasn't oblivious to the envious looks she was getting from the women.

********

Zebadiah wasn't oblivious to the attention Lucy was getting, he had been right, she was a perfect distraction. Her silver hair and eyes were captivating, and no one could take their eyes off her, least of all him. He couldn't help but think that she fit perfectly against him as he continued to hold her close as he worked the room, enjoying the way the silk of her dress felt as it slid across her skin.

When they sat down to dinner she only spoke when spoken to and kept her head down, as if she was afraid to talk to anyone, she hadn't struck him as someone who lacked confidence.

Eventually, he had to leave her for a moment to handle some business that he knew would need to be dealt, with and he watched as she nodded and walked away from him towards the bar. For some reason he wanted to chase after her, pull her back, and protect her, but he wasn't sure what he needed to protect her from.

*******

Lucy walked towards the bar, keeping her head down and not meeting anyone's eyes, although she swore everyone's eyes were on her. When she reached the bar, she recognized the man behind it, he was from Belfort. Todd Rivers had never had much to say to her when they had gone to school together, so she wasn't sure what kind of reception she was going to get.

He paused when he saw her, looking around as if there would be more people from Belfort with her. The man he was serving at the other end of the bar said something and caught his attention once more, and Todd turned to him and finished serving him before he approached Lucy.

"Well Well, if it isn't little Lucy Monroe, the witch. How did you get an invite to this shindig?" He looked her over and she couldn't help but note the appreciation in his gaze "You clean up well, I'll give you that."

"May I have a white wine please?" she asked, as a man came to stand next to her at the bar. She moved a little away from him, immediately sensing something off about him.