Cyprian waltzes me around the room like I’m nothing more than a doll. My feet hardly touch the floor as he glides me around effortlessly. I lose myself in the moment, but it’s short-lived.
As the music grows louder and the prickling sensation on my skin becomes too much of a distraction, I find it hard to remember why I agreed to the dance in the first place. The bondseems to be growing tighter in my chest. I don’t want Cyprian’s attention. I want his son.
Anticipation overrides everything else. Knox must be close. I find myself searching the blurry masked faces for him. My heart races as the prickling intensifies; heat blooms across my chest when I remember that vampires can smell my change of emotions.
But what am I even feeling? How do I describe this invisible thread that holds the two of us together?
So lost in my thoughts, I don’t notice when Cyprian lets me go mid-twirl. A gasp escapes my lips as the prickling heat ceases momentarily, and then I find myself in Knox’s arms.
Even with the wolf mask disguising his features, I know it’s him by the charged electrical current that flows between us. His crimson eyes dance around, taking in my adorned features. They really are beautiful, even if their color means he’s a blood-sucking vampire.
With our bodies flush against each other, he dips his head and leans closely to the shell of my ear as the music slows.
“Speaking to Damon like that was both brave and stupid.” His deep voice rumbles straight to my core. “Now tell me, are you still being a brat? Or will you be good for me this evening?”
All I can think of is how hot his breath feels against my skin. An involuntary shiver slithers down my spine, bringing some of my wit back with it. I try not to think about all the delicious ways he might punish me if I do keep up my bratty attitude.
“I wasn’t about to let Damon find out what we are. Whatever the fuck that is. By the way, you and Celeste should learn to use inside voices.”
Oh God, did I really just ask what we are?
I huff before he can comment. “And yes, I’m still angry with you. I’ve never done what we did earlier today with anyone before, and you ruined the experience by being so… you.”
His eyes darken behind the mask. I fight the urge to drag it from his face so I can see his expression… then kiss him. He swallows as his eyes flicker down to my lips.
Shit, is he thinking the same thing?
“By the sound of your breathy moans, it didn’t sound like I ruined it at all. In fact, I’d dare to say it was the most erotic and sensual experience of your pathetic human life.”
I blink, cheeks aflame. “And judging by how hard your dick was, you didn’t mind it either.”
And there it is. The unspoken words that neither of us will dare to admit to one another. Beyond frustrated, I raise my hand to slap his chest, but he catches my wrist in one quick movement, spinning me around, never missing a beat as he continues to sway us from side to side.
“I’m sorry for earlier,” he whispers softly. “But you have to understand that your presence here puts me in a difficult position.” He pulls off my white glove in one smooth motion, discarding it to the floor. His hand touches mine and the sparks explode beneath my skin. “If I give into this, like I want to, then I risk ruining everything I have planned.”
A billion questions rush through my mind at once, but I can only focus on a small part of what he said…
He wants to give in.
“You know, you bite your bottom lip when you try to figure me out, and it drives me fucking crazy.” He inhales deeply, his eyes rooted to the spot in question.
I instantly release my lip from between my teeth. “Wow, you’re capable of an emotion other than perpetual broodiness. Here I am thinking your heart is made of stone.”
“And here I am thinking you wouldn’t be any fun to play with.” His eyes swirl, and the bond thrums in delight.
I clear my throat and step back from his body a little bit.
“Celeste mentioned something about a binding earlier. What is that exactly?” I ask, looking at anything but him.
“The binding is the ritual that must be completed in order for you to become a Familiar. It’s a ceremony that helps us keep the magic alive.”
I glance around nervously at the empty ballroom. I was so lost in his words that I didn’t notice we stopped dancing.
“What’s happening? Where is everyone?” I take a few more steps away from him so I can think clearly.
“I thought this conversation would be better if we were alone.” Knox pulls off his mask and tosses it to the floor.
“I don’t understand,” I mutter.
