“That’s my stubborn witch.” I kissed her forehead. “Come. I’ll have food brought up to our chambers.”
As we descended the spiral staircase, my mind returned to the council meeting. To Lady Aragorn’s subtle suggestion that Cyrene would be safer elsewhere. To Rathley’s attempt to restrict magical practices. To the servants found drained of their magic, with gray marks on their skin.
Someone was moving against us, and the ball would provide the perfect opportunity for a more direct attack.
“You’re very quiet,” Cyrene said as we reached the bottom of the stairs.
“Just thinking about tomorrow.”
“Nervous about the dance? I thought you said I was doing well.”
“You are.” I squeezed her hand. “It’s not the dance I’m concerned about.”
“Then what?”
I didn’t want to frighten her, but it would be a mistake not to tell her. I shared what was happening.
Her eyes widened. “What can we do to protect our people?”
I loved that she saw my people as her own, because they were. “My guards are investigating and we’ll discover who this is and…”
From the look in her eyes, I didn’t need to name it. “Good,” she said in a firm tone.
Deviating from our chambers, I took her to the first floor and the ballroom, where servants were polishing the marble floor to a mirror shine. Crystal chandeliers hung above, each awaiting the joy lanterns Cyrene was creating. Tomorrow night, this room would be filled with the nobility of my kingdom, all watching, waiting to see if the joy witch could perform the sacred vampire dance.
All watching to see if our magic could merge at the ritual’s climax.
If someone wanted to strike at Cyrene’s magic and our bond, that would be the moment. That was when we’d be the most vulnerable.
I stared at the gleaming floor, imagining tomorrow night. Cyrene in my arms, our bodies moving together, our magic beginning to blend as the dance reached its peak.
And our enemy in the crowd, watching, waiting.
If anyone threatened her again, they would discover exactly how dangerous a vampire king could be when protecting the woman he loved.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
CYRENE
The lantern mocked me.
It was the day of the ball, and I still felt no closer to preparing the decorations I’d promised.
I stared at the delicate glass orb cupped between my palms, willing my magic to take hold. Golden light flickered from my fingertips, swirling into the vessel with promising brightness, only to sputter and fade seconds later, leaving nothing but a cold, empty shell.
“Fates take it.” I set the lantern down hard, wincing when it wobbled on my workbench. That would be fitting, failing to enchant it, then breaking it for good measure.
Cordelia tutted from where she floated nearby. “You were so close. You almost did it!”
Almost wasn’t going to cut it. This was the sixth attempt on this particular lantern. The ball started in three hours, and I still had a few more to finish. At this rate, the vampire nobility would dance in darkness.
So sorry,Quandary said from his perch nearby.I’m helping all I can, but you’re pushing too hard.
“He’s right,” Cordelia said. “The magic won’t flow if you’re strangling it.”
I sighed. “This shouldn’t be so difficult. Joy magic is the one thing I’ve always been able to do.”
I sank onto my stool, exhaustion settling into my bones. Outside my tower window, the castle grounds bustled with activity. Carriages rolled through the gates, disgorging nobles in their finery. Servants scurried about with flowers and candles. Everyone was preparing for the grand event where I would either prove myself worthy of being Kieran’s queen or fail spectacularly in front of the entire court.
