319
Lucy
“Ready?” David asked. I slipped my arm into his and looked up at him.
“I am.”
He smiled and leaned down to kiss me briefly. “I love you.”
My heart trembled. “I love you, too… Let’s do this.”
He nodded and turned to the herald, nodding. I heard the fanfare. It wasn’t quite the sound of horns, but something like it. The gilded doors of the hall creaked open. Fresh air filled with the scent of food and champagne rushed around me as the light of the chandeliers washed over us. David's hand, warm and firm, guided me through the greetings and admiring glances toward the center of the dance floor. I let my gaze drift around. I saw Oren. My heart jolted. The woman next to him could have been Eve’s younger sister, and that made me set my jaw and look away. Then, I saw Tony. He looked at me with confusion. There was no desire, no heat. His eyes turned misty as if he was remembering something. He turned to look at the woman beside him, draped in gold. She smiled up at him and said something. He smiled back and pressed a kiss to her temple the way David would kiss my head. Relief washed through me. I found Matt in the crowd soon after, standing beside a lovely woman with the same amount of disinterest. Maybe everything would be okay.
I took a deep breath, following David’s pace until we reached the center of the ballroom floor. The scent of jasmine and moonlight filled my nose as he turned to me, and we took position.
His voice, a low murmur as he gazed into my eyes, his eyes flashing with color.
“Ready?”
I met his gaze, letting my gaze drift over the blood-red roses on his collar, then up to his face. His gaze was tender and patient. That peace that had been growing slowly bloomed in me. I nodded.
"As I'll ever be," I whispered, feeling everyone’s eyes on us.
His hand glided onto my waist. His touch sent a tremor through me, both nerve-wracking and strangely comforting. The opening chords of the Moon Waltz filled the air, and he led me across the dancefloor. Suddenly, there was nothing around us, and we were back in the dreamscape, waltzing in that ballroom or back at the Blood Moon Estate. I was completely at peace. His steps were effortless. I followed every step just as easily. We spun, turning the Ball into a stream of whirling colors around us. Golden light and flecks of moonlight came through the window. I could almost feel the energies of the world converging here.
His eyes held mine. My whole world seemed to be reflected back at me. I hoped he saw his future in me.
No. I knew he did because I could see that dream of us waltzing in that little cabin. I could see us in that castle. I could see the days of growing older together in peace. The fear that had been following me all this time eased and sank beneath that future.
It would be alright. For as long as I remained strong, for as long as I fought, it would be alright. The music, both mournful and hopeful, swelled around us, carrying us through intricate steps and graceful glides. Each turn, each dip, felt like a statement, a defiance. We were meant to be.
My heart throbbed. I felt it. I saw it flash in his eyes. His smile softened.
Lucy.
My eyes burned as I heard his voice in my mind.
David.
His eyes widened. Joy took over his expression. His grin turned bright and almost blinding as he lifted me. I laughed, feeling lighter than I had since we left the Estate.
We whirled for what felt like too long but also not long enough. When the final note faded, when we bowed to each other, surrounded by thunderous applause. A strange exhilaration coursed through me. We had made it. He pulled me close and kissed me right between my eyebrows.
“You’re magnificent.”
“Not so bad yourself.”
He chuckled and turned, drawing me close. Someone brought us a glass of wine, and he lifted the cup.
“I think most of you know I’m too young to be drinking with you.” They laughed. “I promise, we’re drinking what’s appropriate. We’re joined here to celebrate the new year and the first Awakening in twenty years…”
I’d heard the speech before when he was practicing it. I let my gaze drift across the room again. I was dazed by the feeling that kept growing. It was like I could feel the heat of dragon fire in him, the calm and fury of the seas, and everything in between. Everything that David was felt like it was right within my reach, at the back of my mind, and just against my soul.
It was dizzyingly comforting.
“To the next year,” David said. “May it be one of change, one of peace, and a new dawn for all of us joined under the blood moon.”
I blinked and looked up. My jaw dropped as I looked up through the skylight. The full moon had turned a deep red like blood. I looked at David. He winked at me, and we drank with the rest of the room.
“Now that the formalities are done for now—eat, drink, and be merry until the festivities begin!”
A jaunty song began to play, and he led me from the dance floor to speak with a group of people. I smiled and shook hands. I didn’t speak most of the languages, but I got an understanding. David was feeding the highlights to me somehow. I knew it. We spoke with the leaders of Hecate, then the leaders of a group of elves who embraced us both and smiled at me.
“She is much like your mother,” the woman said gently, cupping my face. “I see… a great future for you, little one… You have come so far.”
She pat David on the shoulder. “You will bring her to the Revival?”
He beamed. “Of course.” He looked at me. “I intend for her to be my partner… as long as she wishes.”
I drew closer to him before looking at the woman. “I’ll do my best to speak the language by next time.”
She chuckled and embraced me again. “I am so grateful to know that his parents can rest in peace.”
She waved her hand over my head. “Let no evil avail you. Go on. You have others to greet… I suspect your future cousins are chomping at the bit to meet you.”
I met David's gaze as he grinned. “We might as well get that out of the way now.”
He led me over to a group of younger people. They all seemed to be closer to my age. They were all excited, pulling me into hug after hug and chatting with David so quickly I couldn’t believe that he was catching everything they were saying. I was nervous as the woman pulled me a few steps away from David. Would they be mean?
I found out quickly that none of them spoke English, but they didn’t seem offended that I couldn’t speak their language.
Welcoming. A rush of embarrassment came through whatever this bond was as one of the older women pulled off her bangle and slipped it onto my arm. I nodded my head, hoping I was conveying thanks, but she just swept me up into a hug, squealing a bit in joy. Another woman twirled me around, bouncing like a five-year-old.
Very welcoming.
I smiled, glancing over him. I really hoped he planned to teach me at least a few phrases before next time.
We walked on, weaving between groups that were definitely related to him and others of different packs. We ran into Peter and Michelle. She pulled me close.
“You’re stunning,” she said. “Are you really wearing heels?”
I flushed. “I am… They’re enchanted.”
She chuckled. “Mine are, too. Magic is the best.”
Peter and David shook hands. David’s eyes narrowed. He dropped his gaze to Peter’s hand, and his lips quirked.
“Interesting.”
“Very.”
“I suppose we’ll have a lot to talk about in the near future.”
“Very much so,” Peter said. “Very soon.”
I looked between them. David glanced at Michelle and gave a stiff nod.
“I’ll be waiting… but I’m not the real barrier to that.”
He smiled, and his eyes twinkled. “Maybe, but I have a few ideas.”
“Good luck.”
David led me away.
“What was that?”
He smirked. “Michelle’s my ward. He has to ask permission to pop the question.”
My jaw dropped. “Really?”
“Really.”
“She’ll say yes.”
“I have no doubt,” David said, his lips quirking. “Interesting development, though.”
“What do you mean by that—”
Suddenly, a growl reached my ears. David pulled me close and stepped in front of me. I looked up as Oren came to a stop in front of him. His face contorted with barely-leashed rage. The woman behind him cowered several steps behind him. His gaze flicked over me as if I were a mere wisp of smoke.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
