Ella and the Floating City

Chapter 10

We dash through the skies, the wind seemingly calming my nerves. Even though the wind is whipping through my hair, I know that it will still look perfect. You see, as you grow up with these sort of "issues", you grow accustomed to fixing the imperfections. Especially when you are from the family I grew up in where appearances are everything.

The castle comes into view as does the stables. We fly in and land gently, hardly making any noise except for the galloping. The stablemen come to our aid, helping us off our Pegasus'. I curtsy to them and they look surprised. I know that most people don't do that and hardly ever give them a glance but, I grew up treating everyone equally.

"Thank you for the help, gentlemen," I say as I rise from my curtsy. They share a confused glance before giving me their welcome and heading to the stables with our Pegasus'. Arabell walks over to me with a knowing smile.

"I do wonder if people will ever grow accustomed to your unwavering kindness and ideology of equality," She says as she holds my arm with hers.

"I know not but I do hope so. Everyone deserves the same amount of respect and kindness," I reply with a gentle smile. It truly breaks my heart that people do not believe themselves to be of equal value to everyone else. After all, we are all human. Some were just born with an easier start to life.

"As do I, but for now, let us dance the night away," She says as she squeezes my arm in an excited manner. I give her a forced smile and we begin our long trek up the never ending stairs to the large doors of the palace.

Once we finally reach the top, Arabell is slightly out of breath but I am completely fine. I train all the time so this was nothing compared to how hard I push myself during my training routines. Arabell gives me a smile and then knocks on the door. The doors swing open and show everyone attending the ball.

I turn to Arabell only to realize she is not there. She is already amongst the sea of people. Darn, she did it again. That sneaky little bug. All eyes are on me. Again. I make my way down the stairs and finally blend myself into the mass of people. I look for Arabell but can't seem to find her. Where did that little rat go? I think to myself as I walk around.

As I search for my "best friend", my eye catches the form of the man I danced with last time. My heart skips a beat and I get that weird feeling in my stomach again. I have to get out of here before he sees me. I spot a door at the other side of the ballroom which, just so happens to be right past the beautiful man.

I take a deep breath and go for it. There is no way he can possibly spot me out of all the beautiful women here. I just have to sneak through the mound of people, get past him, and all will be well. I can do this. People do it all the time. It's just like my training. I can be sneaky, just not in a dress that stands out as much as this one. Oh well, here it goes.

I push past people, apologizing and curtsying if I bump into somebody or if they address me. I sneak past the beautiful man with ease and let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. I am so close to the door. Just one more step. I reach for the door but gasp when I feel a hand on my stomach.

From the tingles shooting throughout my body, I can only guess of one person who is touching me right now. "Adam," I breath out as I try to take in a steadying breath. I feel the tickle of his breath on my neck as he chuckles.

"Well hello again, Kitten," He says with more force on the nickname he gave me. I shudder at the word and his deep voice. I don't even have to see him to know that he is smirking at me. I look around but no one is around us, nor are they paying attention to us.

"H-how did you find me?" I stutter out as I try to slow my breathing and calm my fast beating heart. He chuckles and brings his other hand to my hair, moving it to the side, making my neck and ear more accessible. I shudder and involuntarily move my head to the side, giving him more passage.

"Because that is what I am good at. If I want something," He pauses and gets closer to my ear, lightly biting it. I gasp at the sensation overflowing my body and accidentally let out the lightest of moans. My eyes widen in surprise but he doesn't seem fazed by it. Maybe he didn't hear it I think to myself. "I get it," He says finishing his previous statement.

"Th-that must get v-very boring," I breath out. He hums and moves his mouth from my ear to my neck. I try to keep myself calm so he can't see the effect he has over me. Just as I think of that, he presses a light kiss to my neck and all rationality flies out of the window. He notices as I press myself against him from the lack of strength I have. I feel him smirk against my neck before he lightly bites my neck. I let out a light moan and slap my hand over my mouth, eyes as wide as saucers.

He groans against my neck and bites it again, making my knees go weak. I am rendered powerless in his hold, his touch, his voice, everything. He licks the spots he bit and it causes me to shudder at the softness of his tongue. He moves his mouth to my ear and whispers in a husky voice, "I think we should stop before things get too heated,".

I can only nod my head in response. He chuckles and moves away from my ear. I find myself disappointed at the lack of touch, and it catches me off guard. He slides the hand that was on my stomach to my hip, and uses his other one to catch my hand in his. With my back still facing his front, he leads me to the dance floor.

Once we reach the middle of the dance floor, he spins me around so that I am finally face to face with him and my breath catches. He looks just as ruggedly handsome as last time. He smirks at me and I find myself smiling back at him. My action seems to catch him off guard as his smirk drops and surprise covers his facial expressions. I give him a curious look and he shakes his head as if ridding his head of the previous thought.

"I deeply apologize my lady but, your smile seemed to have caught me off guard. I have never seen anything so beautiful," He says as if in awe. I chuckle at how adorable he is, and a smile forms on his beautiful face.

"No need to worry, I took no offense. Thank you for such kind words, Adam," I say with a smile as his own seems to grow. I blush by the look of awe, and adoration he is giving me. I look away to hide the blush that is scorching my cheeks. He puts his finger under my chin and makes me look up at him into his eyes.

"Do not look away from me when you are blushing. It is too beautiful for me too miss. Understood?" He asks in a husky voice making my thighs clench together on their own accord. I nod my head in understanding, not trusting my voice at the moment. "Good," he says as he takes his fingers off my chin and uses that hand to grab my waist and bring me closer.

I am starting to feel hot and the way he is looking at me is not helping it. "Um, if you would excuse me, sir. I am feeling a bit faint," I say but give him no time to respond as I slip out of his grasp and make a run for it towards the door I saw earlier. I reach the door, throw it open, and run out, not risking a glance behind me.