A muscle jumped in his jaw as his eyes swept over my form, taking in the exposed skin of my plunging neckline, and finally my neck, which was decorated by the black diamond choker he’d gifted me.
My hair had done its best to rebel against Alba, but she’d conquered my mane. Braids spun together, pulling the mass of locks from my face and leaving them to tumble down my exposed back.
A satisfied smile emerged underneath his beard. “The jewel of the Hive. Stunning. Simply stunning.”
“It’ll do…I suppose,” I responded modestly while giving the beaded gown a bit of a shake. I was quite pleased with the final ensemble and would only admit to myself that I had been harboring a curious excitement for his reaction.
“I suppose.” He chuffed and offered his arm. I curled my hand around his bicep, my nerves tripling as I took my place next to him.
We walked down the final hallway arm in arm. The hum of conversation was ahead of us. Clinking glasses and laughter echoed off the paintings and moldings of the reception hall, further igniting my nerves.
Being presented as an eligible maid in the human court had been one of the most anxiety-inducing days of my life. So much hinged on a successful match.
And now, hanging on the arm of a centuries old, undeniably handsome vampire regent, the stakes were higher than ever. But at least in Illica, I knew the rules to the games humans played. This was the unknown and dangerous territory of the Hive. I needed to be perfect.
“Ready?” he asked through a dazzling smile, disarming me. It was the kind of smile I could look at for a lifetime. Soft, genuine, reassuring.
I beamed up at him, cheeks only slightly flushed from the wine I’d thrown back for courage before I left my chamber.
“As I’ll ever be.” A short and simple truth for a moment I didn’t think I could ever be ready for.
Me, a human woman, being brought front and center into a room full of vampires who, without the protection of their regent, would happily drain me. No, there would never be enough preparation for this moment.
Even before our names were announced to the reception guests, Rhazien’s presence inspired silence. He was the picture of royalty and power naturally radiating off of him. A wave of bowed heads lowered and raised again as we passed, moving to the center of the room.
I’d been part of the crowd countless times in Illica, showing respect to the passing royals. It was beyond foreign to be on the receiving end of such gestures. Yet, I smiled softly, nodding gently if I caught an onlooker’s gaze, as we moved at Rhazien’s steady pace.
We were beneath the large, glimmering chandelier when gentle music began to float from a corner of the ballroom. Rhazien extended his arm, encouraging me to circle him before pulling me back again. The crowd clapped as the vampire regent showed off his prospect.
For a moment, I tensed against his chest, haunted by the memories of terrible dance partners at Illica court. But Rhazien glided, leading me beautifully across the floor to the melody of the strings. With hundreds of years to practice, I shouldn’t have been surprised by his effortless movements.
The crowd held a collective breath. There were no whispers, or conversation, or distractions from the spectacle that was the immortal regent dancing with his human guest. With the exception of Gorvin and a scowling Valta, all of the faces were unfamiliar. And for a moment, I wondered if Dommik was watching before snapping my full attention back to the deep green of Rhazien’s concentrated gaze.
We stepped, spun, and dipped as a performance for the room.
The strings faded as the unfamiliar song ended and so too, did our dance. Rhazien’s subjects clapped modestly as he tucked me under his arm and whispered, “You are a dazzling jewel.”
“You’re dazzling yourself,” I swooned, taken by his grace and presence.
Rhazien smiled as his eyes darted across my features. “Does it embarrass you when I compliment you?”
“No,” I insisted through a genuine chuckle. “Although, if you keep spoiling me with compliments and flattery, I fear I may float away.”
A booming laughter I was becoming so fond of erupted from thevampire regent and I joined in. Guests craned to see the source of the sound and found us hand in hand with pained cheeks from the joy of the moment.
What followed reminded me of my wedding day. But instead of being the second wife to Hollis Ashford, Lord of Merchants, I stood with Rhazien Kyrell as his first and only prospect for Queen of the Southern Hive.
Vampires of all shapes, sizes, and ages—a few accompanied by their bound humans—presented themselves to us in a reception line. By the end, I counted meeting at least fifty distinguished guests of my welcome party and had given up trying to guess if any of them were vampire or human. Except Valta, who was so clearly born to become an immortal.
Her acknowledgement was brief and complete with venomous undertones. She mentioned that she hadn’t slept since she’d seen us last followed by an indiscreet, crass comment about needing a salve or pillow for how sore she was. With that, she dropped into a dramatic curtsey and saw herself away.
Not all vampires carried her disdain, some were delighted. More than one had offered to organize tea or a card game with their bound humans. I graciously accepted, not knowing any other option for a response. The Hive had so much more in common with the human world than I’d imagined, right down to their social hierarchy and activities for lesser partners.
One particular introduction stuck. A striking vampire with sable hair and on her arm, a human woman who matched both her height and beauty. In our short introduction, I’d learned the two had been shadowbound the prior year.
The elegant immortal beamed as she spoke. “We had a natural connection before being bound, but now, it’s nearly an indescribable feeling. A deeper bond than I’ve ever known.”
It was a promising testimonial for what could be, but Rhazien promised that becoming bound would be my choice. One I clearly wasn’t ready to make from the way discussing it made my palms sweat.
