4
[C]
I was taking a much needed break when Zach approached with a sloshing cup of punch in hand. "You look like you need this."
This was the last thing I needed, but I put on my game face and accepted the drink. The first sip made me gag, but by the third sip I was grinning as the alcohol burned my throat. "How did you know? You must be a mind reader."
Zach snickered. "You never know."
Only, I did know, and he definitely wasn't. He straddled the chair next to me and surveyed the crowd. "Good turnout, I guess."
"Yeah, it is." Adam and Melissa had their heads together and I turned away when they laughed.
Zach looked between me and Adam. "Why aren't you over there? And don't tell me you have to work."
"It's true," I said with a fake whine.
"So what? Take five and cut that girl off at the pass."
That girl was Melissa, who was possibly my only friend left in the Circle. "They're good friends."
Adam put his hand on Melissa's back as they walked toward the food, and Zach rolled his eyes. "You think?"
My father chose that moment to cross our path and my heavy sigh nearly raised the roof. "He's my biggest problem."
Zach dismissed Blackwell with a wave of his hand. "Big deal. Anyone who's motivated can get past the 'rents."
"Are you saying I'm not?"
He laughed. "Damn straight. You're dressed to kill and what are you doing? Sitting on the sidelines with me. Quit the wallflower act and go kick some ass."
I felt a sudden resolve and downed my punch in two gulps. With renewed fire, I marched over to the snack table and elbowed my way next to Adam. His eyes widened slightly and his hand dropped from Melissa's waist. "Hey," Adam said with a strained smile.
Melissa's smile was equally awkward. "You look amazing," she said. "Did Sam do your hair?"
"Uh-huh," I said, noticing that my errant cousin was once again yakking it up with Tilt's manager.
"How did she match your dress?" Melissa asked, her dark eyes glinting with curiosity.
I did my best Bewitched impression and said, "Poof."
"Cool," Adam said. "Maybe she can do mine next time."
I wrinkled my nose and looked at his perfectly coiffed hair. "Maybe not," I said with a laugh. "So, the band's about to start. Shall we dance?"
Adam's mouth opened slightly and I saw him eyeing my father across the room. "Umm, now?"
Melissa stepped back and pushed both of us onto the floor. "Now," she ordered with a grin, which reminded me of that long ago dance when Sally had done the same thing.
The band launched into a fucked up version of "Show Me Love" by School of Seven Bells, and it was just slow enough for swaying.
"This isn't the last dance," Adam observed with a slight smile, hands resting lightly on my waist as he maintained a comfortable distance.
My father was standing close to Sam, who gave us two thumbs up as we passed. "I don't care," I said, emotion coloring my words as I met his eyes.
Adam always wore his heart on his sleeve, and what I saw in those cobalt eyes warmed me from head to toe. His body language said one thing, but the warmth in that gaze melted me on the spot. "Neither do I," he said huskily, words dazed with desire.
"He'll try to stop us."
His shoulders shrugged under my fingers. "Don't care. I know what I want, and I'll be damned if anyone tries to stop us."
Those were the same words he'd said on our night together, and I knew he meant every word. "What about the skull?"
The song ended and Adam's eyes flashed angrily. "He'll never get his hands on the last crystal, so it's a non-issue."
"He may force you."
"Not with you at my side," Adam said with a wide smile. He took my hand in his and we strolled right past my father, ignoring his icy look as we walked in plain sight for all to see.
[A]
It felt good to defy Blackwell, even if his magic could wipe the floor with me. I'd seen his strength with my own eyes, but Cassie was worth fighting for. Knowing the curse was made up, I dared to throw it back at him. "Why'd you do it?" I asked.
"Because I could," Blackwell said smugly.
"You really don't give a damn about your daughter's happiness?" I said, my words snarling out at him.
Blackwell gave me the once over. "Not with you."
I sensed the tingle of magic and suddenly Regina and Sam joined us. "Nice dance," Sam said with a shit-eating grin in Blackwell's direction.
Blackwell's fingers flexed slightly, but I felt power pushing back and he actually stumbled. "You don't want to fuck with me, old woman," he growled.
Regina smiled. "Too late."
Just before she and Sam moved off, Blackwell whispered, "Better keep an eye on that sweet granddaughter of yours. Wouldn't want anything to happen to her."
The "old woman" spun around so fast that I tripped and smacked into Sam. She righted me while Regina got right up in Blackwell's face. I heard what sounded suspiciously like a spell and goggled when Blackwell turned white as a sheet and turned on his heel.
"What did you say to him?" I asked Regina.
She patted my shoulder as Cassie walked up with punch. "I reminded him of his place."
Cassie looked in the direction her Dad had taken. "Thank you."
Regina smiled at us. "I chased the boogie man away, so you kids have a good time. You deserve it."
We did deserve it. It had been a crappy year all around, and it was time to move on. We sipped at our drinks and I was happy to just be with the girl of my dreams at my side. The singer Zach cut into my reverie and said, "This is the last dance, and this goes out to a very special couple."
It was the lovely song "Wait" by M83 This time I pulled Cassie close and sighed when she rested her head on my chest. "Never leave me," she whispered.
The pain in her voice made me wince. "Never," I said, my lips brushing her tear-stained cheek.
"You're the only one left." Her face lifted and she looked at me with a tiny bit of hope shimmering in the cerulean wells of her eyes.
Our fingers entwined as the song faded into the background, and for a moment, we were the only two people left standing. Not caring who saw us, I leaned in and she met me halfway. Her soft lips parted under mine, and we dined on each other like starving waifs. It was magical and mystical and sexy, and when we came up for air, I looked at her in wonder, much as I had done on that day in the forest.
Her entire being seemed to sparkle, and she was lit from the inside out in a wash of bright light. I shook my head, and the illusion faded, but it was no parlor trick. Cassie was the sun and I was the moon, and I could no more live without her than I could stop breathing.
We walked out into the night, and forward to the rest of our lives...together.
The End.
AN: Well, it's over, folks. The show isn't coming back, and I hold little hope that another network will pick it up. So I think this is my swan song, and I hope you enjoyed the ride.