THE GRAVITY OF US

FRACTURES AND FIRE

Chapter Four -

The Gran Teatre del Liceu in Barcelona was sparkling and beautiful like a diamond ring. The Restoration Gala was the most extravagant stage of the city brought indispensable gold leaf, velvet drapery, and shiny chandeliers to it. Guests appeared in shining satin dresses and perfectly tailored suits with the sound of laughter and the clink of crystal glasses accompanying them.Elowen never felt this much exposed in her life.Her gown was midnight silk, elegantly draped on her shoulders. Clara had picked this model for her to feel like a goddess. But for the first time in that space, she perceived him.Rhys.He was positioned at the foot of the marble staircase, the tuxedo was cut like a master, the tie's knot was made with lethal strictness. His storm-grey eyes were on her at once, and her stomach twisted. He didn’t smile. He didn’t need to. Just the way he looked at her was enough- as if the night was only theirs to enjoy.(“El,” Clara whispered at her side. “Don’t let him see he still gets to you.”)(Should I rewrite this or is it good?)But he already had.Marcus came, and he slid an arm to her waist easily as if she were a trophy. “Sister,” he said smoothly, “you’re the centre of attention tonight. Just as I planned.”Before she could say something, Rhys walked over to them.Rhys's voice was clear, "Elowen," he said with a slight bow of his head. The far-off guests nearby could easily hear it. "You are more beautiful than the art tonight."Marcus's smile was unbroken, but he squeezed her hip in a warning manner. "Be careful, Moretti. Compliments often sound like claims."Rhys's sight could have traversed the whole length of her soul. "Gravity is not asking for permission."She was stunned. The heat rolled low in her stomach, and she hated him for it.---A moment later, claps of hands were echoing inside the auction hall. Elowen left the hall and went to the balcony, where she could see the city below her in the silver light. She was holding tight on the stone balustrade, enjoying the air that was not thick with the scent of perfume and lies.The door clicked shut. "You always run away," said Rhys's voice from behind, close to her.Another turn, pulse is leaping. "I am not running. I am breathing."He stepped into the moonlight, took off his cufflinks, rolled up his sleeves just enough to appear dangerous. "You're scared of what happens if we stay in the same room too long."Her throat tightened. "What happens is you destroy me." "No," he said, traversing the space, intruding with his presence. "What happens is you recall what it is like when the world makes sense."Her back hit the stone railing. His hand caressed her jaw, lifting her face up. The rough pad of his thumb grazed her lower lip, and her breath hitched."Rhys…""Tell me you don't want this." His voice was hoarse, thick with years of hunger.But she couldn't. Silence betrayed her.He kissed her.Incendiary - that was the word that best describes it. Hard, desperate, and all-consuming. His mouth took hers, a collision of that anger, and longing that had waited five years to burst. She gasped and he went deeper; his hand drifted over the curve of her neck and he clasped her as if she might disappear.For just one foolish moment, she submerged herself entirely in it.Then survival yelled. She pushed him away, breathing hard. "This is a mistake."His eyes were on fire, and his chest was heaving. "The mistake was letting you go."Inside the audience's eruption of claps. On the stage, Marcus declared with pride and victory."I saw you. If Marcus saw- if he knew-" Elowen shook her head, backing toward the doors. "Don't do this to me again. I can't survive you twice."She slipped back with a wave of gowns and masks moving along her direction.Rhys remained in the shadows, fists clenched, kiss still burning on his lips.A soft laugh slipped at his side. Isabella De Luca, radiant in crimson, her eyes sharp as glass."Careful, Rhys," she purred. "Hearts are fragile things to break twice. And I know exactly how to shatter hers."Do you want to add funny stuff with dis? Isabella snapped Rhys's gaze--realizing Isabella knew much more than she should, He would wanted to know.