The dress had fit perfectly. A little too perfect, hugging my curves tightly and splaying out onto the floor, followed by a slit that started just above mid-thigh. There was only room for two of my fire blades. One strapped to my thigh near the slit, visible for any vampyre to see and not get any cunning ideas. And one fire blade was in the slick bun I had wrapped my long hair in, holding my hair tightly into place. I schooled my features when I stepped into the room that had predator blue eyes on me upon my arrival. Yet two pairs of eyes burned into me. One belonged to the king seated on a distant throne at the far end of the ballroom. The other, whose gaze looked like flames, belonged to the prince with Serena draped over him in a delicate, sheer dress, pressing sharp kisses along his neck. His eyes connected with my own—I swiftly shifted my attention elsewhere, my jaw clenching.He stuck true to his word on Serena then, why should I care?
A vampyre with a tray of goblets came toward me. "Care for a drink?" The goblets were filled with dark liquid. My stomach churned, I could not tell if it was wine or blood, perhaps both mixed in?
"No,thank you." I gave a nervous smile and walked away. Slow seductive music played from a piano and harp that had no one to control it.Was it controlled by ghosts... or magic?
This type of music was forbidden, not one of the three memorized symphonies. It was beautiful, glorious, and urging me to enjoy.
The sound was different and... pleasant. It made my insides curl and my body relax. It feels like...
“Home.”The shadows inside me purred.
The architecture was stunning in the hallway and yet the ballroom was just devastating. Bronze marble stretched onto the pillars and tiled floors. The ceiling was a mirror that showed myself... and none of the vampyres, no reflections to be seen. Iswallowed and then turned, looking for familiar faces. I heard the familiar laugh from Red instantly, who was sitting at the table filled with an array of dishes. None of which the vampyres ate, but the few companions who came with us, Akiel, Hulin, Colfe, Red and Inanov, sat and ate. All conversing with the female vampyres. It was only a step I had taken into their direction before a palm touched my shoulder.
"Would you honour me with a dance, Lady Morana?" a silvery toned voice asked. I turned to the king who held his hand out, all the vampyres looked in interest at their master. I looked to the prince who now sat up, looking at the interaction between the king and myself, dropping a shocked Serena onto the couch.
It would be rude to decline… right?
"I accept," I answered, putting my palm into his frozen cold hands. The hands of the undead. He led me across the floor, and I couldn't help but look at his appearance. He was undoubtedly handsome, as stunning as an immortal king can be, with those blue eyes and sleek soft black hair. He held me closer, his arm slipping lightly around my waist in a respectful manner and his right hand holding my own firmly.
"I knew a Morana once, and I had loved her very much. She was once the Queen of Death and Shadows," the king spoke as he swayed me into a waltz.
My heart froze.
Chapter 24
Jealousy can be Red
If only I had controlled my emotions, maybe then the king wouldn't look so pleased to see my surprise. "You seem shocked?" He raised an eyebrow as he swept me gracefully across the ballroom.
"From... from what I heard about the old queen, she did not travel outside of the Kingdom of Darkness during the last thirty years of her life," I limited my explanation and carefully answered. This king seemed to know a lot more than he let on.
He gave a charming smile before he said, "No, she did not leave that territory the last thirty years of her life. You are indeed correct." Understanding that I referred to her immortality as a fae woman.
But that would mean he is—"How old are you?"
The question was so abrupt, that my cheeks flamed. He looked intently into my eyes and with a soft tired voice answered, "Too old." My mind was swarming with so many questions, even questions that I hid in the darkest parts of my core.
"You look magnificent in the old queen’s dress. It fits perfectly." He tucked in a curl that slipped out of my bun as he twirled me around, vampyres hissing in envy of their master dancing with someone else.
I nearly choked. "This is her dress?"
He cocked his head to the side, trying to understand me. As if figuring out a scientific question.
"So is the room you are in. That used to be her personal room," he answered as he dipped me gracefully. I panted slightly, hoping that it looked like it was the dancing that made my heart beat fast and not the sudden news the king had just revealed.
"Why give me the room?" I whispered.
"I think you and I both know the answer to that." He gave me a pointed look. My heart seized for mere seconds, and so did my feet. Yet he kept dancing, his strength so powerful he continued to move me to his will.
"The king, if he finds out—he said every belonging to the royals of Darkness was to be destroyed. He could have your head for owning anything from that kingdom," I rambled.
"You are very serious for a person of your age," he answered without a single care that he could be targeted for owning such items. My heart seemed to crack, as I remembered the scent of the room and the scent of the dress. The vampyre king then swept me along the walls, until my feet were firmly planted on the ceiling, where we continued our dance.
Dancing on the actual ceiling, upside down.
Other vampyres were nesting in the corners of the ceiling. "What are you doing?" I harshly snapped. His electric powerwrapped around me while it held my hair and dress into place as he swayed me.
"I did not want your prince interrupting our dance." The king gave a toothy grin. And it made me wonder if the old queen had loved this king, and what other secrets she had kept.
