“Thank you,” I whispered against his neck.
“What for?” Francis’ chest shook underneath me as he chuckled.
“For treating me with kindness.” I planted a kiss on his throat and Francis went quiet.
Silence stretched in between us before Francis cleared his throat, forcing my eyes to meet his. “Don’t ever thank me for that, my love.”
Chapter 27. Last Dance.
Francis had left my room, when the sun had set, as he’d done every evening in the last week. We’d spent every given moment in each other’s embrace, enjoying the final tranquil nights before the storm.
Tranquilness.
Something I’d used to treasure with my dear life, now felt like a threat.
A whole week had passed since the meeting at the Barren’s: a whole week of peace and silence.
The Wurdulacs were quiet: no attacks on human villages, no assaults on the vampire ones either. Yet this unsettling feeling of dread filled the halls of the castle, filled the streets of Faris—something big was coming, something that required the Wurdulacs' proper preparation.
We needed to act now, before the inevitable came—
“Are you ready?” Florence stood at the threshold of my room, leaning against the doorframe. “The ball has already started.”
She wore the rich-crimson gown, with golden appliques that twirled up the hem of her skirt. Her hair, usually kept in braids, fell down her shoulders in beautiful coils. Her golden necklace shimmered under the candlelight, complimenting her dark skin.
“You look beautiful,” I beamed. “This dress becomes you.”
“Thank you, Cordelia!” Her sunshine smile brightened the room. “You look gorgeous as well!” She moved through the room, her features suddenly turning serious. “I have a favor to ask.”
“Anything.” My brows furrowed at her sudden change as I attached the brooch Florence had gifted me a while ago.
“Please promise me, Cordelia,” she started, her hands falling onto my shoulders. “No matter what foolish thing Francis does—or says—you are not going to run away like last time.”
My brows flew up at her oddfavor. “Is there something I should know?”
“Not that I know of!” she blurted, her eyes growing bigger. “But you know...” She shrugged. “With Francis, anything is possible.” A small smile appeared on her lips as she sighed. “Promise me you will come to me if anything happens, all right?”
“You are scaring me, Florence.” I chuckled at her worried expression.
“Sorry. I don’t mean to.” Her face turned sour. “I am sure nothing is going to happen.” Her voice dropped to a whisper before she added, “He’s not worth your tears, Cordelia. No one is.”
Florence pulled me through the ballroom filled with dancing bodies. Laughter and joy occupied every inch of the room, accompanied by the beautiful tunes of musicians, despite the hardship that surrounded our minds.
Having a ball in such dark times felt wrong, yet right all the same. If for one night we could forget about the impending danger, it would have been worth it.
