That's it! I've decided despite anything else going on in my life (i.e. homework), I will make time to write more Sydrian because it makes me happy and people seem to like it okay. So here's the next chapter... Please don't think I'm too evil ;)

I don't own the characters (if only!). All thanks and love to the O.A., Richelle Mead.

XOXO

-M

We broke apart and stood there for a minute, both of us unable to speak, not knowing what to say. "Sage, I don't know where this leaves us, but we don't have to figure this out tonight. Let's try to enjoy the rest of the night. We're supposed to be partying, remember?" he smirked slightly and bumped me with his elbow. "Come on," he said, leading me with his arm around my shoulders. "Let's show these losers how to party."

"Adrian, I probably look like a mess. My hair is no longer in its designated upright position and my mascara looks like it just finished practicing for a 5k. I don't think I look right to go back out there with everyone."

He studied me for a minute. "I think your hair looks cool down. I kind of want to play with the curls. That'd keep me entertained for a while." He pulled one and watched it spring back to emphasize his point. "And your makeup doesn't actually look that messed up. Just slightly smudged around the eyes, which is trendy these days. But if you would rather do something else, we could always walk around the gardens."

"That sounds better than watching people gyrate on the dance floor," I agreed.

We meandered out of the maze and away from the dance floor where the amount of grinding going on would've make a nun swear. We continued to walk on when Adrian stopped to bend over (which seemed like an effort filled action because of his height- even more accentuated by my lack of shoes). "These flowers are beautiful, Sage. Look at these! They have this amazing golden color. These are perfect."

"They're lilies. And technically they are perfect."

He grinned at me, "I know perfect when I see it," he said, wiggling his eyebrows at me.

"No, they literally are perfect flowers scientifically. They are self-pollinating."

"Wow, Sage. Way to nerd our moment up," he joked.

"This is how you keep romance alive, Adrian! Takes notes. Talk to a girl about self-pollination and in the midst of discussing pistils and stamens, you'll have her hooked on you like you're meth and she's a junkie," I jested.

He looked unnervingly deep in my eyes, causing my joking air to vanish. "Seems to be working pretty well for you," he said, his tone deep and rough. His hands went to my arms and slid down to grab my wrists. "I can tell you that withdrawal from you is pretty awful."

His gaze was too powerful, holding mine despite my inner urge to look away, to avoid falling under the spell of Adrian Ivashkov… But I couldn't look away.

He kept leaning closer and closer. "Sage, stop me if you want to. Because I don't think I can stop myself." His eyes pleaded for me to let him kiss me. They also pleaded for me to stop him if I was going to repeat what happened last time, knowing his heart couldn't take that again.

I didn't know what I wanted. No, I knew what I wanted in that moment, but I didn't know if I should let myself. With my heart and head battling, I didn't know what to do. So, I did all I could do.

Please don't hate me! I'll update soon. Special shout out to a certain sweetheart named GwennyDee. You are so amazing and make me want to write so much more!

XOXO

-M