Avalon was adamant that Jericho would be joining us as well. I was not exactly excited to share the table with both Jericho and Kiran. I knew without a doubt that I could never leave Kiran, especially for another guy; but that didn't stop the unwanted butterflies every time Jericho and I made contact. Besides, he could be distracting. With Avalon, Amory, Kiran and Talbott all at the same table, I needed my A-game.
Avalon claimed Jericho had to come for my protection and all that, but I knew better. My brother had a very, not-so-secret agenda and he was trying to torture me to prove his point, whatever that point might be.
Roxie was the only one of my bodyguards that would not be joining us. She highly disagreed with having Kiran anywhere near me, especially inside my house and at my table. She refused to share a meal with the "Prince," as she called him in a very degrading tone. But most of all, she didn't understand the tradition of Thanksgiving. Not only Immortal, but born in Peru, she had no desire to sit in on a purely human-American event. And there was something else about not liking turkey.
Roxie's absence was fine with me; it was one less thing to have to explain to Kiran and Talbott. Besides, she still intimidated me and I knew I wouldn't be able to trust her to be polite.
"Do you need any help?" Jericho was leaning on the kitchen counter, three feet from me and I hadn't even noticed him come in.
I looked up surprised, and wiped my forehead with the back of my hand. I couldn't help but smile at him. He looked very handsome in black dress pants and a pressed white dress shirt with a skinny black tie, his sleeves rolled up to the middle of his tanned forearms as if he was ready to work. His hair was styled back from his face; I could smell cologne, something I had never noticed he wore before.
"No, thank you, though. But you look way too nice to get your hands dirty," I thrust my potato masher back into the deep pot. He walked around the island, and stood next to me, taking the masher out of my hands and moving the pot in front of him.
"Please, go get ready. I can handle mashing a few potatoes," he smiled down at me reassuringly.
"I guess, I um, I guess I should go get ready," I looked down at my sweatpants and flour stained t-shirt, agreeing silently that I couldn't very well meet Kiran like that. "Are you sure you're going to be Ok?" I glanced nervously at my precious potatoes not wanting to leave them alone.
"Trust me, I can handle myself in the kitchen," he smiled with confidence and I couldn't help but believe him. He looked down at the pot and left it for a moment, opening the refrigerator and pulling out some milk and butter. I stayed watching while he expertly poured the milk and sliced some butter, making the potatoes creamy and rich. Why hadn't I thought of that?
"Oh hey, can you keep an eye on the turkey then, if you're such an expert chef?" I smiled playfully, still in awe of his kitchen skills.
"No problem, but seriously go get ready, you're running out of time," he turned around, flicking the oven light on and inspecting the turkey.
I, too, turned around, unable to wipe the smile off my face and bounded up the stairs and into Aunt Syl's room. The best thing about sharing a room with her was getting unlimited access to her fabulous closet.
I jumped in the shower, washing the food and flour out of my hair as thoroughly as possible and gave my legs a quick shave. I dried off and then let the magic dry my hair. I noticed over the last few months that it was not only efficient to do it that way, but magic was far more gentle on my hair than a blow dryer. My long, thick black hair was still as impossible as ever, but at least I wasn't struggling with split ends.
I glanced at the clock and panicked, racing into Aunt Syl's closet, going straight for the good stuff in the back. I ran my fingers through her fancy dresses, trying to decide which designer would be appropriate for the occasion.
I stopped on a midnight blue strapless number with a sweetheart neckline. The skirt ballooned out into a fun poof, so even though the top was a little racy and a little low cut, at least the skirt was fun. I zipped the back up with magic and then grabbed a black cardigan for good measure.
Finishing my makeup in record time and spraying some of Aunt Syl's top shelf perfume, I heard the doorbell ring. I rushed back into the closet for a pair of stilettos, beaming with excitement as my eyes rested on a pair of plain black pumps with red soles. They would be perfect.
I heard Aunt Syl welcome somebody but I wasn't quite ready to make my grand entrance just yet. Knocking on my own bedroom door, I let myself in, finding Lilly putting her own finishing touches on and Roxie asleep on the bed. Lilly looked ravishing in a short black skirt and blousy pink top. The pink set off her porcelain skin and fiery red hair and her short legs looked extra-long with that much skin showing.
"Nice shoes," she laughed, gesturing at her own that were still sitting on the bed, but identical to mine.
"That's funny. You must have good taste," I smiled, realizing she did have good taste and I relied on Aunt Syl for my fashion identity.
I walked over to my dresser, pulling out my jewelry box. I needed some accessories. I chose some big silver hoops for my ears and the necklace that Kiran gave me in Geneva. The stone was black inside my jewelry box, but the second it touched my skin, the jewel turned a shining blue, matching the color of my dress exactly.
"How do I look?" I turned to Lilly, hoping for a good result.
"Gorgeous as always!" she replied exactly how I hoped, I chose to believe her.
"So do you. You look stunning!" I gushed, meaning every word.
She slipped on her shoes and we linked arms, moving out of my bedroom towards the staircase. I sighed contentedly, it was so nice to have Lilly healthy and in my home.
"That's a pretty necklace," she said, remarking at the sparkling stone glistening off my neck. "Thank you," I replied without offering any details.
I heard Amory and Aunt Syl in the kitchen and as we made our way down the stairs both Avalon and Jericho appeared in the living room. I was pleasantly surprised to see Avalon dressed up for the occasion. I half expected him to wear gym shorts and a t-shirt. But he looked very dapper in designer jeans, a dress shirt and sports coat, all of his tattoos carefully concealed. His hair was pulled back into his school-style pony tail, but instead of looking rebellious like at school, he looked actually put together.
The boys stopped to watch us come down the stairs, sending heat to my cheeks and Lilly tensing up with anxiety. Avalon couldn't keep his eyes off Lilly and he made no attempt at being shy about it. Jericho stood there, too, mid-step just watching me and doing absolutely nothing about hiding his stare either.
The room was completely silent, except for our heels clicking their way down the wooden staircase. Jericho's eyes burned with intensity, his hazel eyes a smoldering brown with flecks of green shining through. He smiled at me, his dimple pronouncing itself and I didn't know what to do.
I wanted to say something, to break the deafening silence, to make the room feel less like it was just he and I, but I couldn't think of anything to say. I couldn't think of anything but those golden brown eyes and the way they looked at me.
The doorbell rang, cutting the silence with harsh reality and I exhaled, realizing I had been holding my breath.
"Oh, thank God," I mumbled underneath my breath, reaching the bottom step just in time and letting go of Lilly's arm.
I turned my back on Jericho and felt him leave the room. Lilly and Avalon followed, leaving me alone with greeting the company. I hadn't thought about how awkward things would be between Lilly and Talbott until just that moment and suddenly regretted the whole evening. What had I been thinking? This could have been a colossal mistake.
"Hello," I smiled, opening the door and welcoming Kiran and Talbott, both dressed in black suits and ties, into the house.
"Eden, you look too beautiful," Kiran sighed, stepping inside first, and pulling me to him. His mouth found mine, kissing me before I could even say thank you.
My magic surged, finding his and popping frenetically. I let his magic wash over me, reminding me of the love we shared. I had been away from him for too long; I let myself forget what it was like when we were together. The house suddenly felt stifling and too small. I found myself regretting the elegant dinner I prepared, wanting to just run away with Kiran and leave this all behind.
"I'm so glad you're here," I sighed, slowing his kisses and finding oxygen again. "I've missed you." I mumbled with more emotion than I wanted to admit.
"I've missed you too," he said, a hint of curiosity in his voice.
"Well, come in, dinner's all ready," I moved out of the way so Talbott could come inside as well. He had been waiting patiently on the front stoop until we were finished and I was suddenly embarrassed that Talbott had to witness our friendly “hellos.” "Hi, Talbott," I said politely, clearing my throat.
"Hello, Eden," he said curtly, eyeing my necklace suspiciously. I put my hand over it, subconsciously, wondering if it was a mistake to wear it.
"This way," I grabbed Kiran's hand and led the boys into the kitchen where I set the table earlier in the day. I had used Aunt Syl's lace table cloth and her grandmother's china and silver. There were crystal goblets from her father's side and ivory candle settings from an uncle that had lived in Africa for a while. The candles were lit and all of the food moved from the stove and island. The table looked like a magazine spread and I was beaming with pride.
"Jericho, did you do all of this?" I asked, gesturing towards the food and lit candles.
"Well, somebody had to," he smiled playfully and my hand started to sweat inside of Kiran's.
"And my turkey? Is it Ok?" I let go of Kiran's hand to lean over the table and inspect my handiwork.
"Well, Ok. Don't get mad at me," Jericho began nervously. I snapped my head up, afraid of what he had done. "No, see don't get mad...." Jericho backed away from the table with his hands in the air.
"What did you do?" I gasped, inspecting the twenty pound bird once again.
"It was nothing really. It's just that.... Ok, when I pulled it out to look at it, it was kind of.... Ok, completely raw in the middle." He couldn't stop himself from laughing and I took a sharp inhale of breath, knowing it looked too good to be true. "So, I just gave it a little boost of magic and voila, it turned out perfect." He grinned his charming smile at me and I had already forgiven him.
"Oh, is that all," I laughed, reaching over and pushing him gently in the arm. "I thought you were going to say you dropped it or something. It looks amazing, thank you. I forgot I could use...." I trailed off; realizing that finishing my sentence would probably cause the entire room to roll their eyes in unison, even though I had truly forgotten I could use magic on the food. Maybe today wouldn't have been so stressful if I had just magically made everything.
"Eden," Amory scolded, realizing where I had been going, "although we all appreciate the extra effort you put in to the meal, dearest, you need to remember your magic." His black eyes were turned on me and I couldn't help but shrink back from the reprimand.
"Amory's right, Eden," Kiran's hand was on my back, firm with worry. "You cannot let your guard down, even for a moment."