I stood at the top of the staircase, dressed to entertain, though in a burgundy tunic adorned with silver etching, something unlike anything I’d worn before.
I’d found I didn’t enjoy wearing black, so I would no longer do it.
Since I was late with my advisors, I’d missed seeing Cyrene before she got ready. When I arrived at my suite, my staff told me she’d already left and that she’d planned to wait for me in the foyer.
And there she was, standing in the middle of the big open area like the crown jewel of my kingdom.
Waiting for me.
She’d adorned her hair with tiny crystals that winked like stars, and someone had woven golden threads through the elaborate braids crowning her head. The effect was ethereal, as though she’d captured the dawn and fashioned it into a crown more true than any metal could ever be.
Her white gown hugged her curves before flowing outward like liquid light, and when she shifted, I caught glimpses of embroidered vines climbing from the hem to the bodice, small, intricate witch symbols hidden in the pattern. A queen’s dress, but with rebellion stitched into its fabric. Perfectly, gloriously Cyrene.
My chest ached at the sight of her. She’d brought color back into my world, painting over my careful control with broad strokes of gold and light.
She smiled at the staff hovering near, but when she glanced toward a few of my family members lingering near the wall, I didn’t miss the tightness at the corners of her mouth.
Quandary, draped across her shoulder like a living stole, wore a miniature bow tie created from white ribbon. He surveyed the room with the disdain of a seasoned courtier, his tail flicking and smoke curling from his nostrils whenever someone ventured too close.
I descended the steps. Vampires rarely blink, yet somehow the entire room did when I stopped at the bottom and took her hand.
“You’re late,” she said, her lips curved but her eyes sharp.
“I had to make sure the rumors had matured before I arrived,” I said. “Wouldn’t want to interrupt their fermentation.”
Just being near her made my fangs ache. Leaning close, I sucked in her heady scent. It had been centuries since a vampire king had been caught scenting his mate in public, and I didn’t give a damn.
I nibbled along her neck to her collarbone, tickling her skin, making her laugh.
Her eyebrows lifted, but she didn’t pull away. “You’re impossible.”
“I’m a king. Trust me, it’s worse.”
I brought her fingers to my lips, aware of the collective inhalation from the crowd. Her pulse fluttered beneath my thumb. “Shall we attend the ball, my queen?”
She gave me a regal nod, but her fingers tightened around mine as we turned toward the hall.
We left the foyer, walking toward the first-floor ballroom, and I slowed my stride to match hers.
“How has your magic been over the past few days?” I asked quietly. “And I apologize for being busy with duties and unable to visit your tower room to ask.”
Her shoulders lifted in a small shrug. “Better. Mostly. The spell we crafted is holding, though I still get the occasional hiccup.” She grimaced. “Yesterday, I tried to enchant a rose to open. It sang instead. Off-key.”
I bit back a laugh. “A dangerous weapon.”
“Don’t mock me, you.” A tease rang out in her voice.
“I wouldn’t dream of it.” I brushed my fingertip along the back of her hand. “I should’ve been there to help.”
Her gaze flicked up to mine. “You’ve had kingdoms to rule and treaties to sign. I’ve managed.”
“That doesn’t mean I wanted to leave you alone.”
“I wasn’t alone. Quandary was there, as well as Cordelia.”
“Our ghost.” Who I now wished I could see as well.
“She’s quite flamboyant. Fun.” Her lips curved up at a memory I wanted to share.
