Ice

  Chapter Fifteen

  ‘And she was terribly aware that she was alive. Not just living and breathing, but … alive.’

  Mary Baloug, ‘Simply Love.’

  The fact that we now met at the docks meant that I was simply able to walk down the road when it came time to go. Nevada met my sister and I at the door, kissing our foreheads while Chris refused to acknowledge that we were eighteen now, and well capable of going out with people our own age. When Lainie and I stepped out onto the front porch and Nevada switched on the light, I noticed for the first time how much like Yin and Yang we looked. With her lacy black dress swept around her thin body, Lainie looked dark and seductive, only increased by the dark red lipstick and eyeliner she wore.

  I, on the other hand, chose to go for a more natural look. The white, strapless dress shimmered when I moved, while my hair had been left down and sporting its natural waves. In the light of the porch, I noticed how much lighter my hair had become and Nevada stepped forward, frowning as she fixed some strands.

  ‘Iris, honey,’ she addressed me. ‘Have you done anything to your hair recently?’ I frowned, faking innocence. I knew that my hair had changed colour, but I wasn’t about to go around telling everyone. Lainie frowned, too, noticing now that it had been brought to her attention.

  ‘Not that I’m aware of,’ I answered Nevada, shaking the strands from her grasp. She seemed unsure but dropped it, replacing her frown with an easy smile. She passed us each a light jacket to throw over our dresses if it got cold and we said our goodbyes. Lainie was by far more excited than me, tugging me away from the front porch and across the street. The sun was already below the horizon, removing all the heat from the wind. I shoved my jacket on, a pretty blazer that appeared matte against the sparkles of the dress. A vehicle pulled to the curb ahead, its recognisable rumble pulling my sister closer. When the engine stopped, Starden stepped out of his tin can of a car and Lainie ran into his arms. Thankfully she released me in the process so I was able to continue walking to the docks.

  Music pulsed through the air, leaving my body feeling almost as alive as when I was finned. I quickened my pace, rounding a tree near the entrance to the docks and I paused in shock. A massive boat of luxury floated on the water before me, Xanthias’ guests boarding as the evening grew cooler. Lainie was giggling down the road behind me, but she, too, stopped in awe as the boat came into view. I didn’t even want to guess how much it was worth or how many years his parents had had to work to afford it. Starden whistled appreciatively, earning a slap on the shoulder from Lainie.

  ‘Come on,’ she urged, pushing my shoulder as she tried to make me move. I gave in, my feet carrying me in a haze as Chrysabelle exited the boat and spotted my sister and I. She glared, her lips pulling into a sneer and she quickly returned inside. Xanthias came out a moment later, his eyes flicking around quickly as he tried to find someone. A moment later, he spotted us and he offered me a large smile that crinkled the edges of his eyes. He gestured to us to come aboard, pushing past the other guests as he stepped onto the docks. He stopped in an instant, taking in my dress. His eyes bulged and Starden stepped forward, pulling Lainie after him. He playfully punched Xanthias’ shoulder.

  ‘Stop drooling, man,’ he teased. ‘She’s hot and all, but no one likes a drooler.’ Xanthias straightened, pulling at his shirt self-consciously. Starden simply chuckled and pulled Lainie aboard, the boat uneasy as the sea began to roughen. My stomach groaned with unease, but Xanthias appeared to be calm so I pushed it aside. He recovered, straightening his spine and he offered me his hand in a gentlemanly gesture.

  ‘Shall we?’ he asked, taking my hand. He was gentle as he gripped my fingers and he pulled me aboard, the massive boat swaying with the currents. It knocked against the docks, causing some people to loose their footing and tumble to the floor. I was suddenly glad that I hadn’t chosen to wear skyscraper heels like my sister, instead opting for a pair of modest white flats with tiny bows across the tips. Nonetheless, Xanthias’ grip tightened around my hand until he was sure that I wasn’t about to go stumbling over the edge.

  The boat had the likeness of a ship. Its massive size meant that Xanthias was able to lead me down to a main deck under cover where permanent seats rimmed the walls and glass was all that separated us from the sea spray. The floor was pale hardwood, polished so much that I was sure I would be able to see my reflection in it. Underneath were the bedrooms and their bathrooms, as well as the kitchen where the guests filtered continuously in a search for the never-ending supply of alcoholic beverages. Xanthias led me there first, offering me an unopened can of lemonade before we walked back up to the main deck.

  The lights had been turned out in our absence, the disco lights overhead casting rainbows over the dancing students. Xanthias led me to a plush seat to the front of the boat where we sat as the driver steered us out to sea. As Chrysabelle moved all the guests inside and shut the door to the rear deck, the sea started to become rougher. Starden complained as a dancer fell on his lap, spilling punch all over the girl to his left. Luckily, my sister was spared and she gripped the seat tightly to stop herself from sliding away. Xanthias didn’t seem to mind the currents though, looking completely at ease.

  Our driver only stopped and dropped the anchor when we were far enough out to be able to see the glistening lights of Beaufort in the distance and the party entered full swing. I sat at the edge of the room like a wallflower, gripping my dress with my fingertips while I watched Lainie dance with Fran. A moment later, she turned and spotted Isabella, Ryker’s arm slung lovingly around her shoulders. A loud hiss escaped her lips as she took in the pretty purple dress Isabella wore, the silk fabric falling prettily around her frame and accentuating the creaminess of her skin. I smirked, enjoying watching my sister’s attempt at sabotage being slapped right back in her face.

  ‘Want to dance?’ Xanthias asked, his expression one of shyness. I bit my lip and nodded, allowing him to take me by the hand and the music turned to something slow and beautiful. Jazzy, I realised, listening to the sound of a saxophone as it wove its way through the deck. Xanthias seemed unsure, but his actions were confident as he placed his hands around my waist and pulled me close. My arms stretched around his neck, and I was transfixed by the mysteriousness of his gaze. He was alluring and dangerous, but confident and shy. He moved his hands, but instead of going down like any other teenage male I’d expected, he moved them up to my shoulders. After stopping there for a moment, they returned to their original position, leaving me shivering with intoxication.

  ‘You are so beautiful,’ he murmured, resting his forehead against mine. ‘I’ve known that ever since I-’

  ‘Xanthias!’ Chrysabelle interrupted, stepping between us. ‘You have to stop the party, now. Grandmother Pearl and Great Aunt Lisbeth have told me that we’re not safe out here. We have to go back before another storm comes.’ He straightened instantly, meeting my gaze worriedly. Rumbling was heard over the sound of the music, and the DJ was playing as loud as he could. Suddenly, lightning streaked past the boat, stunning the dancers. The boat danced itself over the currents, shaking as the driver tried to stop it from tipping. Chrysabelle turned on her heel as she moved toward the DJ, but I feared it was already too late.

  As the music cut out, the waves were already growing larger. Chrysabelle stole the microphone off the DJ, earning curses as she flagged the attention of the guests. She barely stayed upright as the boat began to rock, the water coming dangerously close to the glass before it lolled to the other side. Words of disappointment were whispered amongst the students, the party being cancelled before it had barely begun. Chrysabelle apologised, replacing the microphone with the DJ as she return to Xanthias, her shoes sliding as the boat teetered uneasily to one side. I gripped my seat, looking across to my sister at the opposite side of the boat. Finally the rain tumbled down, the sky vibrating from the rumbles of thunder and lightning came dangerously close to the boat.

  The waves were large enoug
h to almost engulf the boat, but somehow, it always managed to remain afloat. Xanthias’ jaw ticked nervously and Chrysabelle ran to the back deck to stop the students from jumping from the boat. I looked at Xanthias, my eyes wide as the ship tilted once more and I slipped. He caught me, his strong arms holding me to him and he ran his fingertips up my spine and through my hair. I stared at him, my eyes wide and my mouth dry as I realised I wanted to kiss him. He bent his head to mine, the moment slow and gentle. His hand reached under my chin, lifting my head to face him, but he never kissed me.

  Screams echoed, interrupting us. I turned immediately, my eyes locking onto an image that would haunt me beyond the grave. Before us, the water was rising, ready to engulf the boat. I didn’t think. I simply acted on impulse, watching as the world changed around me. My eyes locked with Lainie’s her face one of shock as I did what I had to.

  On the brink of death, the world froze.