She gave me a cheeky grin.“It would hardly be proper for you to take me in front of all these people.”
I forced myself to smile back at her, letting her believe that’s what I meant. Or maybe she knew and was just trying to lift my spirits.“Then I suppose I’ll have to torture myself a while longer.”
After his speech, we descended the dais and marched down the center aisle. Tyson and Natalia led the way, while I followed after. My household staff moved swiftly around the room, refreshing goblets with sparkling wine, and filling the tables lining the back with pyramids of sugared fruits, delicate pastries, and glistening meats under silver domes.
The orchestra launched into a sprightly waltz, and the polished parquet was soon alive with laughter and dancing. I dodged conversations and found my way back to my wife, who was nibbling on a pastry. The pink flush in her cheeks was a welcome sight. Now that everyone knew she was my wife, there was no need to hide the truth anymore.
I took her hand and pressed a kiss against her knuckles. “I am not worthy of such beauty.” She flushed a deeper shade of red, then took my arm. “Shall we?” I asked.
I introduced her to a few important guests, but I was mostly trying to avoid Marius, who was chatting animatedly with Tyson and our brothers. When Tansy approached, wearing a black dress, and asked if Claire would dance with her, I was more than happy to oblige. “Have fun.”
The two of them twirled around the dance floor, giggling. Tansy had agreed to come with us to the capital. Not as a consort, but as one of Claire’s ladies-in-waiting.
Natalia materialized at my side. “Do you care to dance?” I asked.
My niece let out a disgusted grunt in response. We both chuckled, content to watch the revelers from a distance like two unfriendly birds. Tyson waved Sera and Alec over to introduce them to my brothers. The pair seemed just as uncomfortable with attention as I was.
“Do you really believe their story?”Natalia asked, her arms crossed.
“About what?”
“That they killed Shayla.”
“Shayla didn’t just give them her moonstone. Of course, I believe them.”
I had to believe them. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be able to leave. Knowing the border was safe was my greatest accomplishment.
Natalia’s lips pressed into a thin line.“She’s still a Prideaux. And he’s still an idiot.”
“Claire is also a Prideaux,”I reminded her.
Natalia scoffed.“She’s different.”
I raised my brows.
“She’s an Allard.”
That she was.
It was good to have Natalia back on my side. I was going to miss her fiercely when I left. But we were at the end of an era. She and I had spent many nights in this castle, sharing laughs and exchanging barbs. But now, I was moving on.
I noticed the way Tyson’s shoulders straightened when Sera whispered in his ear.“Can we speak? Privately?”He placed his hand on Sera’s lowerback and guided her toward a receiving room just off the ballroom, Alec trailing behind them.
Natalia scoffed again. She was full of venom tonight.“Like we can’t hear them. We’re vampires.”
I let out a reluctant chuckle that died quickly.“I have bigger problems than Tyson.”I gestured to the High Prince, who was cutting a path directly toward us. It would seem I was unable to dodge my brother any longer.
Natalia lifted her wine glass to her lips.“He’s not going to decapitate you. After your success in the Lawless Lands, you are a hero.”
My niece was wise, but she was still too young to realize there were worse fates than death as an immortal.
“Mon sang!” Marius said in greeting. A jovial light danced in his dark eyes as we clasped hands. “It is good to be back at Château Rose again. How long has it been since my last visit to these snowy mountains?”
I forced a tight smile. “A hundred years, Your Grace. Give or take.”
Natalia choked on her sip of wine.
Marius let out a bawdy laugh. “Surely it hasn’t been that long!”
