The gift of a rosy pink blush rose to the brunetteâs cheeks when the redheadâs lips brushed her knuckles. She could feel the flower on the corsage beginning to slips towards the inside of her wrist already. Gently, she nodded her head, her hair not straying from itâs delicate pin holds, but still, her free hand rose to check, scared that it would fall out of place and suddenly Uriel would see her the way she saw herself. Like some disillusionment would lift from him if the smallest flaw arose among the dozens that were already present in her mind. âYes, just a bit tighter, I donât want to have it fall. I want to make sure that everyone can see it.â She explained quickly, the nervousness clear in her voice, like she was scared she might offend him or bother him. Though, it was a normal additive anytime she spoke to someone.
The word gorgeous seemed to float around her, almost visible to Gabrielle as the pure delight made her heart flutter. No one had ever called her that before. Maybe her diet and exercise were finally paying off. It seemed that his words were always taking her by surprise,simply how highly he thought of her. Did he really think people would be jealous that he had her as his date? She was certain it was the other way around. Girls would be envious and confused, rightfully so, by Uriel escorting her to the ball. Her cheeks, as well as her upper chest were burning red with flattery. âThank you, youâre always much too kind to me, Uri. Thereâs not another person in the world that Iâd rather be here with.âÂ
His hand on her jaw made her skin tingle beneath it. It was like his touch put her into a giddy state of euphoria, like she was rested among the clouds for a while. âIâd love to dance with you.â Gabby whispered softly, eyes shining with happiness as she looked up at him. But then the reality hit her again; she was betrothed to Roland Goyle. Her stomach began to twist and her chest began to tighten with the sudden rush of guilt and fear that had only just hidden in the crevice of her mind for a beautiful moment. How was she supposed to tell Uriel?Selfishly, she didnât want to tell him, because she wanted the feelings that she was having with him to last forever. Maybe she could just have one dance with him first and then she could tell him. Silently, she spent the moment wishing it was him that she would be courted by until she graduated, that she could grow into a couple with. The sparkle in her eyes seemed to disappear at that moment, her smile faltered and then fell from her lips. Sheâd tell him after there first dance, then sheâd ruin the small slice of happiness that theyâd managed to carve out for themselves.
But the guilt of lying to him, even if it wasnât really lying, was too much for even one moment. Gabrielleâs face fell. âBefore we dance, I need to tell you something. And if you donât want to dance with me, or be here with me, I understand.â She whispered, holding his hand tighter for support, almost as if he was her life line in that moment. The words didnât wait for his response, fleeing her mouth like mice from a roaring lion. âIâve been betrothed to Roland Goyle. I-I didnât know until this afternoon. I had no idea and they wanted me to come with him to the ball, but Iâd made plans with you and I wanted to come with you so I told them I was going with you. And-â There were tears welling in her eyes as the words flowed from her at a rapid pace. âAnd I donât even like him, I mean, heâs not nice. He makes fun of me for being a hufflepuff and he makes me nervous. Itâs not like with you, because youâre always nice to me and I like you and I want to be with you and spend my time with you and dance with you and-and hold your hand, but-um-uhâŚâ The words had all come crashing out so quickly that she wasnât sure what she was saying, and through the haze of her tears, she couldnât see his reaction to it all. Gabrielle tried to blink them away, but only more appeared to replace them. âI just-I wanted you to know, because I donât want you to waste your time on me. I-I know I should have told you this afternoon, but I was so upset and I just wanted to-to see you one more time and-and show you the dress I picked out to wear for you.â Finally she dropped his hand from her own, looking away from him, ashamed of herself for a decision that was not her own. âIâm sorry, Uriel. Iâm so so sorry.â
He listened to her instructions closely tightening the corsage around her wrist, and even testing it with gently moving her wrist to ensure it didnât fall off. âI think thatâs good, what do you think?â Uriel swooped his gaze from her wrist to her face with a gentle smile. âSomeone has to be kind to you, youâre the most precious thing in the ball here.â He replied with a slightly nervous chuckle. This was all going to plan, at least his own plan he schemed up a few years ago. Little did he know, however, that fate had a different plan for them. Â
Uriel had known from past experiences that he didnât like when Gabrielle fell silent. It was never a good sign, but he thought maybe she was just lost in her own mind. Just like the time he asked her on their first date. He drew his face closer so their foreheads lightly touched against one another. Thereâs something off, but he wanted to ignore it. Whatever it was, he would deal with it. Maybe Gabrielle wouldnât know the lengths he would go, but he was sure as the years progressed on he would be taking bodies out and dumping them to the bottom floor of the Black lake.
His thoughts interrupted when she took his hand, and he noticed quickly how her face fell. Â Those words. Uriel didnât care for them, nor did he link them. Whatever she needed to say, he was unsure what his knee jerk reaction would be. What if there were another bloke? There wouldnât be for long. Still he felt his own heart race and the inside of his hands turn clammy. As she poured out the overwhelming news to Uriel his face changed. It went from happy, to angry, to sad, and now it just looked gloomy and grim. It all took its time to sink into the older boyâs mind. Roland Goyle for fucks sake was not part of the plan.
Still he waited until she dropped his hand, only to take hers in return. âRoland Goyle isnât going to come between us. We can fix this.â He hissed though his voice was alarmingly calm. Roland Goyle was going to meet his maker if Uriel had anything to say about, especially when she mentioned him being mean to her deliberately. There was still the knee jerk reaction to it all, seeing Gabrielleâs eyes ill with tears disturbed him. His impulsive movements carry him closer as he gently pressed a lip to each cheek and one quick one to her lips,murmuring the words there. âYouâre never going to waste my time, and tonight weâre still together.â