Page 68 of Once Upon a Demon's Heart
I hadn’t realized that we’d be entering from a grand staircase, but gasps roll through the ballroom as we stop at the top of the second-floor landing. Even the musicians have a hiccup in their song from the distraction. Large glass containers are filled with peonies, glittering gold water in the base that makes the room feel welcoming.
My heart seizes and my feet stop moving.
Kalel goes down a step ahead of me and turns to face me. His eyes are warm and endearing for once. I wonder if he has nerves in front of this many people like I do.Wouldn’t that be something?
“Don’t let any of them unnerve you. This is by far the least dangerous thing I’ve seen you do.” He brushes the stray hairs from my face.
I nervously smile. “You say that now, but you haven’t seen me dance yet, Duke Lornhelm.” He blinks at my use of his formal name.
A wicked grin that reveals his fangs flashes at me, then he resumes escorting me down the stairs. Every head is turnedup in our direction, and I quickly spot Nikolai and Tessa near the back. They are dressed formally, appearing fit to be royalty themselves.
Half the crowd looks up at us in awe, while the other half have disgusted frowns and hateful glares directed toward me. I hold my chin high and walk with a steady stride. We reach the center of the floor, and everyone gives us a wide berth of space.
Kalel makes a low bow, his knee almost touching the floor as he lowers his head to me. My cheeks warm as he comes out of the bow, offering me his hand. I slowly place mine over his palm, and he stands tall, pulling me gently into him until our chests meet. My eyes widen as I gaze up at him. I didn’t know that dancing could be this intimate.
Sure, I’ve watched a few balls in Alzhor, but it was long before the war. I never danced with the royals or partook in the celebrations. I once longed to be the girl in the beautiful dress, dancing with the handsome prince.
Although I’ll take the broody demon any day over a prince.
Kalel leads, moving slow and with purpose. I follow his strides, and after a few songs, I think I have a handle on the movement of it. The music stutters and turns more jovial, signaling the rest of the attendees that they can now join in the dancing. They swarm to the floor and begin moving like lovesick doves with their partners.
The ballroom turns into an ocean of song, a movement of joy and peace.
Kalel doesn’t let go of me as we sway and spin. He holds me close and lets his hands move along my waist when the music demands it. Each time his eyes lower to mine, I find myself falling deeper into his pull, until it feels like his gravity will never let me go.
The song ends, and we come to a stop, staring at one another in awe. Everyone else in the room is worlds away. I only see him, and a warmth moves deeper into my heart.
He blinks, seeming to come out of his own trance. “Let’s take a break, you look like you could use it,” Kalel chides as I inhale laboriously to catch my breath. The room has grown terribly hot.
“What about the king? I thought he?—”
Kalel cuts me off. “We’ll be back before the last dance.” He sounds annoyed that I’d even bring him up, but I’m just trying not to get my head lopped off for pissing off the king.
Before Kalel can guide me away, he’s approached by Gabriel with a grim look pressed into his face. Kalel leans in and listens to him for a moment before looking back at me and frowning.
“I’ll be five minutes. Tessa is across the ballroom, don’t stray from her side.” He gives me a stern look before following Gabriel. Kalel’s one-shoulder robe billows behind him and makes him look like a king.
He’d be a better king than Achill, of that I’m certain.I muse.
As I turn to make my way across the floor to Tessa, I bump into a flat chest.
“Oh, my apologies—” I start before looking up and realizing it’s Nikolai. I’m met with his gentle smile and curious eyes. He looks clean-cut in his formal attire and with his hair styled for once. His jacket is a deep maroon with gold accents, bringing out his naturally warm, earthy tones.
“My lady,” he says as he bows and offers me his hand. “Care to dance?”
I return his smile and set my hand in his. “I was hoping I’d get to see you again tonight.” He and Tessa are the only two people I feel safe around. It’s not exactly easy being in a sea of angry demon-folk.
“I’m honored.” He dips his head and moves into position for the next song that comes on. It’s slower, more timeless than theothers. Nikolai moves elegantly. He’s as fluid as his voice was the night of the bonfire sendoff.
“How are you good at everything you do?” I chuckle as he spins me and offers a daring grin.
He shrugs. “I’m ninety-two, remember? I’ve had a long time to learn many different things. I was even the librarian when I was in my fifties.”
My eyes light up. “There’s a public library?” Thank gods, the king’s private one isn’t the only place to find a book here.
His eyes narrow with his grin. “Yes, eager to learn something in particular?”
I swallow my anxiety. If there’s anyone here I can trust, it’s Nikolai.
