Page 35 of Cursed Lifeline

In front of us, Caelum twirls his partner into a dizzying spin across the dance floor, and I can't help but agree a little.

I raise my glass to my lips, but Alfred reaches over before I can take a sip and stops me, "Better not add poor decisions to desperate measures."

He grabs the flute from my hands, and I give him an annoyed glare as he takes the sip I so desperately needed before downing the rest of the contents before I can object.

"The only desperate thing in the room is you, brother," I hiss as I smooth out the front of my soft pink silk gown and focus back on the party in front of us. I try to take a deep breath, but my corset is tied too tight, and it lodges in my chest. It burns as I swallow hard and attempt to calm my nerves. I bite my bottom lip with worry, then catch the eye of Lord Laurent across the room and frown. "As for poor decisions, I'd say Father is to blame for tonight's events and everything that comes after it, for that matter."

"Let's hope nothing comes after tonight," Alfred scoffs, "And a truce of sorts can be made."

"A truce," I mock as Caelum finishes his dance and bows to his lady. "With whom? Lord Laurent? Or the Queen of the damned? Either way, many will suffer."

Caelum eyes me with mischief as he turns his focus our way, strides confidently off the dance floor, and briskly walks toward us. A figure in black enters the far left corner of the ballroom, and my heart rate spikes. The hairs on my neck stand up just like they did the first night I felt his presence. My head grows dizzy. A headache starts to set in.

"Let's just hope it's not you who suffers," Alfred says as Caelum continues to close the distance between us.

My skin prickles with the knowledge that I'm being watched. My heart beats faster, knowing who is doing the watching. I suddenly grow more lightheaded, absent-minded, as if someone is searching my thoughts, desperate to find answers.

"Guards up," Alfred whispers as Caelum stops before me and bows, offering me his hand.

"Is this absolutely necessary," I ask annoyed, not only at myself for going along with this asinine plan, but because of the part I'll be forced to play.

"You wanted another way," my brother says quietly. Caelum reaches for my hand, and I willingly give it to him. "This is another way. With any luck, the distraction will buy time for Felix's coven of brothers to devise a plan for Lord Laurent's demise, and in turn, prove how loyal the Prince of the Damned is to you."

"Since when do you side with the coven?"

"Since my sister is intent on making poor choices."

I give him a scowl as Caelum places a kiss on the top of my white-gloved palm, and I swear violent, jealous rage shoots through the room from the brooding man standing on the other side of the party and keeping to the shadows.

"Lord Laurent is making his way over here," Silas groans.

"He's not the only one who's taken notice," Alfred mumbles quietly. His voice is stressed, worried, as he watches the dark figure I saw earlier emerge through his cloak of darkness.

I stand tall on my tip toes and look over Caelum's shoulder, attempting to steal a glance at the man in black. I frown when I don't get the satisfaction of meeting his eyes before Caelum playfully pulls me towards him.

"You know, this also puts Caelum in danger," I ridicule, but my comment falls on deaf ears, except for Caelum's.

"Love is danger," he winks. "Besides, if I knew this is what it would take to get you in my arms, I would have prayed for God to make you fall in love with the Prince of the Damned ages ago, Es."

His cheeky remark results in a swat of my hand on his left shoulder as his arms wrap tighter around my waist. He fakes being hurt and then gives me a devilish grin that somehow calms my nerves. I give him a vexed, sisterly glare as he glides me toward the center of the room and into the dancing crowd.

"Excuse me," Lord Laurent's voice calls out. He pulls back on Caelum's shoulder, attempting to get his attention. "I'm sorry, but she's..."

"My Lord," Alfred sternly interrupts as Caelum, and I begin to drift away, "I overheard others talking about your victory up north. I beg you, please, regale me with the heroic tale."

"I, uh..." Lord Laurent stammers as we attempt to waltz out of sight.

Caelum pulls me closer and teasingly whispers, "Remember, you love me, you need me, and you can't live without me."

Goosebumps prickle my skin. Not not from his words but from the intense gaze anchored on us across the room. Although it's not just Felix's threatening stare that promises violence, it's also the persistent Lord who tries to follow us onto the dance floor. One who could make this all go up in flames if we're not careful before we light the final match to this charade. Lord Laurent reaches for me again, intent on tearing me from Caelum's arms, when Alfred interjects, "You know how rumors go; the men I overheard talking said you didn't deserve to..."

"Deserve!" Lord Laurent exclaims, turning his attention finally to Alfred. "Why, I deserve more than France has ever..."

Lord Laurent's words become faint as Caelum wastes no time and hastily pulls me further away into the throng of sweaty, slightly inebriated dancers.

My feet lightly stumble. My hands begin to shake.

"Act your part, Esme or all of this is for nothing," Caelum whispers harshly.

---